A new analysis of graduate employment data has identified the UK university degrees most likely to leave students out of work or in low-paid, non-graduate jobs after finishing their studies. The findings will concern prospective students and their families weighing up the value of a degree against rising tuition costs and living expenses, at a time when graduate job markets remain competitive and universities face scrutiny over "low-value" courses. The data adds to a wider debate about whether some degree subjects offer poor returns on investment compared with the cost of study.

Creative arts, media-related and some humanities subjects reportedly feature heavily among the worst performers for graduate employment outcomes, while degrees in medicine, engineering, economics and other vocational or STEM fields tend to fare better. The rankings are typically based on measures such as the proportion of graduates in full-time work, further study or a "graduate-level" job 15 months after finishing their course. Prospective students are being urged to weigh career prospects and earning potential alongside personal interest when choosing what and where to study.