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Many graduates still believe going to university was the right decision, but a new survey suggests a significant number are less satisfied with the subject they studied. Around three in 10 graduates said they would choose a different subject if they had the chance to make the decision again.
The findings come from the latest graduate data used for the Guardian University Guide 2027. Graduates who completed university in summer 2024 were surveyed 15 months after leaving, providing an insight into how they view their education and career choices with hindsight.
More than eight in 10 graduates said they would still choose university over other options, despite concerns about rising student debt and weaker graduate job prospects. Satisfaction with the university itself also remained relatively strong, with some institutions recording around 90% of graduates saying they were happy with their choice.
However, satisfaction was noticeably lower when graduates were asked about their subject. Only about 70% said they would choose the same subject again.
Matt Hiely-Rayner, an analyst involved in compiling the university rankings, said graduates were more likely to regret their subject choice than their decision to attend university or their choice of institution.
Some traditionally popular professional courses also saw a decline in satisfaction. Fewer graduates in dentistry, veterinary studies and paramedic courses said they would choose the same course again compared with the previous year. Architecture and computer science also dropped out of the top 10 subjects for graduate satisfaction.
Computer science appears to face particular challenges as artificial intelligence changes the employment market. The proportion of computer science graduates moving into graduate-level jobs has fallen from 66% four years ago to 56% in the latest figures, raising concerns about opportunities for people entering the industry.
Graduates in animation and game design were also among those least likely to choose the same course again. Fewer than two-thirds said they would make the same choice, putting the subject alongside journalism, marketing and public relations among courses with relatively high levels of regret.
Economics, which has traditionally been viewed as a strong choice because of its high graduate salaries and employment prospects, also recorded a surprising fall in satisfaction.
Experts suggest the results may partly reflect differences between universities. While economics remains a popular and potentially secure career route, employment outcomes can vary significantly depending on the institution and course.
The findings suggest that while most graduates continue to value university education, choosing the right subject may be becoming an increasingly important decision as the job market changes and artificial intelligence reshapes career opportunities.
