New analysis of graduate outcomes in the United Kingdom has identified degree courses with high rates of unemployment five years after students have completed their studies. The data, compiled by the Daily Mail using the Department for Education's Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data for 2023/24, highlights specific course groupings at various universities where a substantial proportion of graduates are not in sustained employment.

The University of West London's Creative Arts and Design program ranked highest, with 23.7 percent of its graduates out of work five years after graduating. Those who did find employment in this field had a median salary of £24,900. This program has historically admitted students with A-level grades as low as DDD and is being offered through the university's clearing process.

Following closely, Business and Management at the University of East London showed 22.6 percent of graduates unemployed, with a median salary of £29,600. Other courses featuring in the top 20 for unemployment include Computing at Falmouth University (21.1 percent unemployed), Law at the University of East London (19.9 percent unemployed), and Law at the University of West London (19.7 percent unemployed).

Across the top 20 identified course groupings, at least one in six graduates were unemployed. Five of these courses have median salaries below £25,000, despite many graduates accumulating over £50,000 in student debt. Courses from these top 20 lists are being offered in the university clearing system, often with entry requirements of C, D, and E grades at A-level.

In contrast, top-tier universities show markedly different outcomes. For example, Cambridge University reported no unemployed graduates from its Veterinary Sciences courses. Southampton University's Computing courses had only 2.1 percent unemployment, and Bristol University's Business and Management programs reported just 3 percent unemployment.

The LEO data is based on tax and benefits records and examined employment figures for those who graduated in the 2017/18 academic year, looking at their status in 2023/24. The analysis included only course groups with 50 or more graduates and defined