Revealed: Britain's worst degrees for graduates being out of work - so is YOUR course on the list?

As A-level results day approaches, universities offering courses with some of the lowest graduate employment rates in England are actively seeking students through the Clearing process. New analysis by the Daily Mail highlights the top 20 course groupings, by university, for graduates remaining unemployed five years after completing their degrees. These findings come amid growing concerns over the value of higher education in securing long-term employment. At the top of the list is Creative Arts and Design at the University of West London, where nearly a quarter, 23.7 percent, of graduates remain out of work five years after graduation. For those who do secure jobs, the median salary is just £24,900. This figure is particularly striking given that many of these graduates have accumulated debts exceeding £50,000, including three years of tuition fees priced at over £9,000 annually. The University of West London is reportedly using Clearing to admit students with lower A-level grades, typically DDD, to fill spots in its struggling programs. Following closely behind is Business and Management at the University of East London, where 22.6 percent of graduates face unemployment five years post-graduation. Other disciplines such as Computing, Law, and Psychology also appear frequently in the rankings, with several institutions reporting median salaries below £25,000. The analysis reveals that all 20 listed courses are participating in Clearing, with most accepting students based on relatively low A-level grades, often ranging from C, D, and E. The data comes from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset for 2023/24, focusing on graduates from the 2017/18 cohort. The study includes only course groups with at least 50 graduates, ensuring a statistically meaningful sample size. The metric used to determine unemployment rates among graduates is termed “no sustained destination,” indicating individuals who have not secured stable employment within five years of graduation. A spokesperson for the Department for Education responded to the findings by stating that while a university degree can still be a valuable investment, too many courses fail to meet the expectations set for students. The department emphasized efforts to improve the quality of higher education by addressing underperforming programs and promoting alternative pathways to success. Plans include expanding access to prestigious vocational training starting at age 14 and introducing new qualifications known as V Levels from age 16, aiming to place technical and academic education on equal footing. With thousands of students preparing to receive their A-level results, the Clearing process is expected to see increased activity as those who fall short of their desired grades seek alternatives. Universities offering courses highlighted in the analysis are likely to benefit from this influx, though questions remain about the long-term viability of these programs in terms of student employability and financial return on investment. The findings underscore a broader debate about the effectiveness of certain university courses in equipping graduates with skills that align with current job market demands. While some fields continue to show strong employment outcomes, others struggle to translate academic achievement into professional opportunities. As students navigate their educational choices, the disparity in post-graduate employment rates raises critical questions about the alignment between curriculum design and labor market needs. The data also highlights the financial burden placed on students pursuing these courses, with many accumulating substantial debt without guaranteed returns. As the government continues to push for reforms in higher education, the challenge lies in ensuring that all students, regardless of the field they choose, are prepared for successful careers and financial stability upon graduation.