In brief
A new IFS study shows that while a university degree generally helps increase lifetime earnings, the benefits vary wildly by subject. Medicine graduates could earn up to £400,000 more than non‑graduates, whereas arts and philosophy students see little to no extra return. The Department for Education hints at restrictions on low‑return courses and stricter English‑language criteria for student finance. Roughly a quarter of graduates may be financially worse off over their lifetime, especially those from lower‑income backgrounds with poor prior attainment.
A fresh IFS report says the old headline – a degree will pay up – is true, but the amount can swing wildly depending on what you study.
If you go into medicine, you could earn up to £400,000 more than someone who never went to uni. Economics also shows strong pay‑offs, while degrees in creative arts, philosophy or languages may add little or even negative earnings over time.
The Department for Education is looking at capping the growth of low‑return courses and considering a minimum English‑language requirement to qualify for student finance.
Across the board, graduates earn about £100,000 more over their lifetimes than peers who didn’t study – even after taxes and loan repayments.
However, for about a quarter of students, a degree may actually leave them poorer. One in ten male graduates could be over £90,000 worse off, and students with lower GCSE grades may still see a gap but not as wide.
Check your course’s lifetime payoff here.
Why it matters
Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, warns that a degree isn’t a financial sure thing and urges careful choice of subject. “Choose carefully. Don’t walk into a degree by default,” she told the nation.
Higher‑education leaders say the arts won’t pay the same as tech, but they also keep jobs in creative industries vital for the UK’s economy. As AI reshapes skills, knowledge about how people think and feel will become even more valuable.
Study tips: Research salary data before you commit. Look at job prospects, average salaries, and trends in your chosen field.
