Zarah ChoudharyAccording to research from UCAS and the Department for Education, applications for engineering and technology courses have surged by 38.69% since 2020, with graduates in these fields expected to earn an average salary of £46,340 a decade after graduation.
In contrast, applications for language courses have declined by 13.06%, reflecting a shift towards degrees with higher financial returns amid rising tuition fees and student debt concerns.
The trend appeared to be driven by financial considerations, as students respond to the rising cost of higher education and the long-term impact of student debt.
Tuition fees are set to increase from £9,250 to £9,535 in 2025, adding to the financial burden on graduates.
As concerns over taxpayer-funded student debt grow, the appeal of degrees that lead to higher-paying jobs has strengthened.
Ed Fidoe, CEO of London Interdisciplinary School, argued that equipping students with problem-solving skills is crucial for securing well-paid employment.
Data from the university’s first graduating cohort in 2024 showed that 50% of LIS graduates secured skilled employment within a month of finishing their studies.
This stood in contrast to research from recruitment firm Robert Walters, which suggested that 50% of new graduates take six months to secure a job.
As applications for STEM courses rise, creative arts and design degrees have seen only a modest 5.57% increase.
The shift in subject preference reflected growing concerns about financial security after graduation, with students increasingly choosing degrees that offer higher salaries and stronger job prospects.
STEM graduates are expected to earn salaries well above the UK median wage, reinforcing the appeal of these fields as tuition fees and student debt continue to rise.
Ed Fidoe, CEO of The London Interdisciplinary School, said: “University debt is one of the largest in our lifetime and undeniably, one of the largest stressors for students navigating the higher education path.
“The key to tackling student debt is ensuring that graduates are able to secure meaningful, well-paid roles to counter the amount in a manner that is manageable and efficient.
“Our first cohort of graduates highlights the focus on workplace appropriate degrees – underpinned by an interdisciplinary learning model – to accelerate career success.
“Half of our graduates secured skilled employment within a month of graduating, which is significant when considered against nearly three in ten of the wider graduate population who still haven’t progressed into skilled jobs.
“As the job market rapidly evolves, it’s now acutely important for higher education to assimilate accordingly, with graduates skills promptly effecting the demands of an ever-evolving workforce.
“The appropriacy of degrees is, therefore, one of the most critical factors for graduates to succeed in the workplace, whilst also driving down their student debt.”
