Is the social and economic standing of the country to blame for declining degrees and alternative career paths?
Long gone are the days when degrees were mostly in areas like Philosophy, Latin and Theology, with only men able to study.
Enter the new age, where you can nab a degree in Parapsychology (paranormal studies) or even Viticulture and Oenology (wine making), and of course, women are hitting the books nowadays, too.
But are too many niches and too much choice a bad thing? Our Student Beans User Research team surveyed over 1,800 UK students on the topic of degree choices. Students were asked "How did you feel about the study choices available to you when choosing your degree?"
Out of the 1,820 responses:
71.5% said “I felt like there was a good range of courses available to me”
16.2% said “I felt indifferent about the courses available”
12.3% said “I felt limited by the courses available to me”
In this article:
The most & least popular degrees
Using data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), we compared degree choices from academic years 2016/17 and 2022/23 to see which are the most popular and which may be dying out.
The tables below show the most and least popular degrees from 2016/17 and 2022/23, using the total number of applicants. Later on, we’ll dive into the numbers and find out the most and least popular degrees for female and male students.
Most popular degrees 2016/17
Degree subject | Number of applicants in total |
|---|---|
Business & administrative studies | 220, 035 |
Biological sciences | 178, 185 |
Subjects allied to medicine | 168, 950 |
Social studies | 159, 800 |
Creative arts & design | 144, 915 |
Most popular degrees 2022/23
Degree subject | Number of applicants | Difference since 2016/17 |
|---|---|---|
Business & management | 581, 165 | + 167% |
Subjects allied to medicine | 369, 455 | + 119% |
Social studies | 285, 540 | + 79% |
Design, & creative & performing arts | 188, 535 | + 30% |
Engineering & technology | 185, 830 | + 61% |
Business degrees remain the most popular since 2016/17. It's likely down to the rise in content creators, influencers and young entrepreneurs over the past few years, encouraging students to go after their own ideas and aspirations.
Research from Santander in 2020 revealed that over 480,000 students were currently running, or planning to run a business whilst at university. Almost one in five also planned to turn their business into a full-time career when they graduate.
The popularity of business courses may also be down to the cost of living. Students who are struggling financially often turn to side hustles to earn extra cash, and some turn those hustles into full-blown businesses.
Least popular degrees 2016/17
Degree subject | Number of applicants |
|---|---|
Veterinary Science | 5, 460 |
Agriculture & related subjects | 9, 240 |
Combined studies | 20, 650 |
Architecture, building & planning | 31, 000 |
Mathematical sciences | 36, 590 |
Least popular degrees 2022/23
Degree subject | Number of applicants | Difference since 2016/17 |
|---|---|---|
Veterinary sciences | 12, 280 | + 125% |
Social sciences | 12, 325 | n/a |
Agriculture, food & related studies | 19, 805 | + 114% |
Natural sciences | 33, 270 | n/a |
Mathematical sciences | 46, 090 | + 10% |
Veterinary Science has consistently been the least popular degree choice for students, even with an increase of 125% since 2016/17. Veterinary Science tends to be a five to six year course at university, with fairly high entry requirements (AAA-ABB typically needed at A Level). These factors may contribute to the low number of applicants for the course.
It's also said that being a vet is a high-pressure, low-reward environment (with lower salaries than other medical professions) and highly competitive. It requires students to handle emotionally difficult circumstances, which is easier said than done. That level of commitment may be off-putting, resulting in fewer applicants.
Female students
The choice of degree amongst female students has not changed much over the last few years, with the favourites staying fairly consistent over the years.
The tables below show the top 5 degree choices for female students from 2016/17 to 2022/23.
Females most popular degrees 2016/17
Degree subject | Number of applicants |
|---|---|
Subjects allied to medicine | 136, 215 |
Business and administrative subjects | 113, 270 |
Biological sciences | 111, 945 |
Social studies | 99, 895 |
Creative arts and design | 97, 470 |
Females most popular degrees 2022/23
Degree subject | Number of applicants | Difference since 2016/17 |
|---|---|---|
Subjects allied to medicine | 292, 835 | + 115% |
Business and administrative subjects | 275, 640 | + 143% |
Social studies | 189, 250 | + 89% |
Creative arts and design | 120, 805 | + 24% |
Psychology | 114, 560 | n/a |
The number of enrolled female students for Social Studies has increased by 89% and has knocked Biological Sciences out of third place to just outside the top 5, with a decrease of 48% in enrolment compared to 2016/17.
Interestingly, Psychology has made it into the top 5, beating Biological Sciences, and has steadily grown in popularity over the past few years. That may be due to the transferable skills it teaches, equipping students with the skills needed for most jobs.
Females least popular degrees 2016/17
Degree subject | Number of applicants |
|---|---|
Veterinary science | 4, 345 |
Agriculture and related subjects | 6, 470 |
Architecture, building and planning | 11, 460 |
Computer science | 12, 115 |
Mathematical sciences | 13, 700 |
Females least popular degrees 2022/23
Degree subject | Number of applicants | Difference since 2016/17 |
|---|---|---|
Geography, Earth and environmental studies | 6, 920 | n/a |
Veterinary science | 10, 250 | + 136% |
Agriculture and related subjects | 12, 465 | + 93% |
Mathematical sciences | 16, 825 | + 23% |
Natural sciences | 17, 625 | n/a |
Since 2016/17, the least popular degrees among female students have stayed mostly the same. Veterinary science, whilst facing a huge increase of 136% in 2022/23, is still one of the least popular choices with female students.
It’s also interesting to see Geography, Earth and Environmental studies being the least popular, even with the increasing concern around climate change and sustainability.
Male students
Looking into the top degree choices for males in the academic year 2016/17, you'll notice overlaps in some of the choices between male and female students.
Males most popular degrees 2016/17
Degree subject | Number of applicants |
|---|---|
Business and administrative studies | 119, 515 |
Engineering and technology | 97, 205 |
Computer science | 67, 885 |
Biological sciences | 66, 720 |
Social studies | 60, 965 |
Business and administrative studies were top choices for male and female students, as were Biological sciences and social studies.
Males most popular degrees 2022/23
Degree subject | Number of applicants | Difference since 2016/17 |
|---|---|---|
Business and administrative studies | 309, 045 | + 159% |
Engineering and technology | 145, 585 | + 50% |
Computer science | 134, 985 | + 99% |
Social studies | 94, 570 | + 55% |
Subjects allied to medicine | 75, 090 | n/a |
The top 3 degree choices for male students have been the same since 2016/17, with Business and administrative studies leading the tables. Biological sciences is no longer in the top 5, with subjects allied to medicine moving up into 5th most popular degree choice.
This increase in interest for medical subjects may be as a result of the pandemic in 2020. According to a survey by Prospects, 27% of students had changed their career plans due to the pandemic for a variety of reasons. Some of those who changed their plans had been inspired by people actively involved in supporting the pandemic response, like those in hospitals and care sectors.
Males least popular degrees 2016/17
Degree subject | Number of applicants |
|---|---|
Veterinary science | 1, 110 |
Agriculture and related subjects | 2, 770 |
Education | 7, 710 |
Mass communications and documentation | 16, 945 |
Medicine and dentistry | 19, 565 |
Males least popular degrees 2022/23
Degree subject | Number of applicants | Difference since 2016/17 |
|---|---|---|
Veterinary science | 1, 985 | +79% |
Geography, Earth and Environmental studies | 5, 340 | n/a |
Agriculture and related subjects | 7, 265 | + 162% |
Natural sciences | 15, 500 | n/a |
Combined and general studies | 18, 660 | n/a |
Veterinary science has been the least popular choice of degree for male students across the years. There isn't a lot of concrete research into why, but it may be down to societal roles and pressures, and not wanting to enter a female-dominated industry (even though Veterinary science is also in the top 5 least popular degrees for female students).
When we analysed the survey data, we found that more female students felt limited by the courses available to them. Only 2% of male respondents felt limited, compared to 10% of female respondents.
The least popular degrees may also be bottom of the barrel due to the number of exams the course might have. According to our own student survey, 62% of students find exams so stressful to the point of impacting their wellbeing and performance. 51% of students also stated that the number of exams included in their degree impacts their choice.
Science-based subjects and Veterinary Science typically involve quite a few exams, which may be the reason students are put off from studying them.
The latest picture: what's changed since?
Those tables tell the 2016/17 to 2022/23 story, but the trend has kept moving. HESA's most recent releases show Business and management holding firm as the UK's most-studied subject, accounting for 21% of all student enrolments in 2023/24. Veterinary sciences, so often propping up the "least popular" tables, actually recorded one of the biggest jumps in new entrants that year.
By 2024/25, Computing was the fastest-growing subject for new entrants, while Combined and general studies saw the sharpest decline, followed by Geography, Earth and environmental studies, and Languages. In other words, the shift towards career-focused, tech-adjacent subjects is still very much underway, while broader and less obviously "employable" degrees continue to slip. Total student numbers dipped slightly too, the first small decline after years of steady growth.
Motivations behind degree choice
There are plenty of reasons someone might choose a degree.
It may be a subject they're really interested in, or their favourite or best subject at school. They may also choose based on the career path they want to take after graduation.
In our Student Beans survey, students were asked "what is the biggest reason why you chose your degree and why?"
14% cited the reason for their degree choice was that it was their "passion or dream".
3% said the reason was "money".
37% said it was their choice because it was their "hobby or interest".
42% cited the reason was for their "career, future, or opportunity".
Around 1% said their choice was down to wanting to "leave their home/town".
3% chose their degree for "self improvement/for themselves".
While it looks like the majority of students are following their career aspirations and interests, another study revealed that 44% of graduates regret their field of study. The drop-out rates are also at an all time high, with 40,000 undergraduate students withdrawing from their courses.
Ed Fidoe, the Founder and CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School, shares that "Gen Z want an education that prepares them for the future, not one that's stuck in the past. But here's the problem: 37% of graduates say their education didn't prepare them to solve the problems they encounter in their careers." This lack of preparation could be due to outdated degree curriculum that just doesn't tackle any of the skills needed in the current working world.
If you're weighing up what comes next, it's worth getting your head around the difference between a graduate scheme and a graduate job and taking a look at the best graduate schemes in the UK to see what's out there. And to find out which jobs have the best salaries, check out the highest paying degrees and jobs in the UK.
Cost of living & the pandemic
The pandemic may feel like a while ago now, but its effect on the working world is still visible. Throw the cost of living crisis into the mix, and you've got some uncertainty.
In Prospects' survey of over 6,500 students and graduates about career decisions, 37% said they were uncertain about what they'll do. Even though some students had been inspired by those helping during the pandemic, others wanted to escape industries like hospitality or travel, which struggled during that time. Some respondents even said they were looking at apprenticeships so they could start earning sooner, as an alternative to study.
Another study by The Student Room, showed that 92% of students were concerned about the rising cost of living, and 43% were worried if they could afford to go to university at all. On top of that, 12% of respondents said their parents had encouraged them to defer or to not go to university.
What was once considered the ultimate pathway to success after school is becoming less attractive, with apprenticeships deemed more appealing thanks to the chance of earning while learning. Since 2018/19, apprenticeships have grown by 47%. Could this be down to low confidence in employment after graduation?
It's no surprise that students are opting for alternatives to university. With the uncertainty of another pandemic or financial troubles, people are looking for better or easier ways to get straight into earning. This is further supported by Cibyl's cost of student living research, when asked "what do students want to do after university?" 74% said 'work' compared to only 9% opting for postgrad studies.
Do universities need to re-evaluate what they offer? 100%. Giving students transferable skills and the confidence to enter employment after they graduate could help reduce drop-out rates and encourage students to pursue their own career aspirations.
Not going to university? Check out the highest paying UK jobs you can get without a degree.
Methodology:
Our Student Beans research team surveyed 1,820 UK students on how they felt about their study choices and why.
We analysed and compared two sets of data from HESA to find the most and least popular degree choices from the academic years 2016/17 and 2022/23, working out the percentage increase/decrease.
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