In 2023, the actual number of doctoral or equivalent level study periods and/or work placements stood at a notable baseline. Forecast data from 2024 to 2028 suggests a progressive increase from 42 to 49. This reveals a consistent growth trend with each year exhibiting an increase in value by approximately 4.76% for the earlier years and slightly tapering off to a 2.08% increase in 2028. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over this five-year period projects a robust average annual increase indicative of sustained growth.

Future trends to watch for include:

Increased funding or policy changes impacting doctoral programs could alter projected growth rates.
Evolving industry demands might influence the structure and scale of work placements.
Technological advancements driving new research areas and potential shifts in doctoral candidate preferences.