Are you the type of person that cares more about the course delivery than where you study it? Are you at a loss as to which university you wish to pick? Are you dead set on the subject you wish to delve into the details of at university? Wandering what the best university is for teaching your desired subject? This article is for you! Here, we will name the top universities in the UK for 66 subjects available for study to you, broken down into two articles with 33 subjects each.
The data relies on university subject metrics such as graduate prospects, continuation, on track and career after 15 months from graduation. This data is pulled from The Guardian University Guide, the Good University Guide by The Times and the Complete University Guide league tables from the latest academic year.
The metrics are calculated as such:
- Graduate prospects - outcomes: the proportion of students in the subject that report success in employment or further study
- Graduate prospects - on-track: the proportion of students in the subject that report their future plans in employment and/or further study as being “on-track”
- Career after 15 months - proportion of graduates in the subject being employed 15 months post-graduation
- Continuation: the proportion of graduates in the subject who continued their studies/research post graduation at the same university they graduated from
Graphic Design
Graphic Design is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. Imperial College London secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Graphic Design being the most employable subject as 96% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Cambridge retains the most of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Health professions
University of Bedfordshire leads graduate prospect outcomes in Health Professions, with 72% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Lancashire (92%). University of Exeter finds 100% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Aston enjoys the highest retention rate (99.2%).
History
University of St. Andrews leads graduate prospect outcomes in History, with 89% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation, whilst 86% of History students at University of St. Andrews report their future life plans as being on-track. University of St. Andrews is also leading in career prospects of this subject, finding that 94% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, whilst University of Durham enjoys the highest retention rate (99.2%) of History students.
History of Art
University of York leads graduate prospect outcomes in History of Art, with 91% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation, whilst 85% of History of Art students at Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London report their future life plans as being on-track. University of York is also leading in career prospects of this subject, finding that 89% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, whilst University of Cambridge enjoys the highest retention rate (100%) of History of Art students.
Hospitality, Event management and Tourism
Hospitality, event management and tourism is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. University of Surrey secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Hospitality event management and tourism being the most employable subject as 76% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Ulster retains the most (96.8%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Interior Design
Interior design is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. University of Northumbria secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Interior Design being the most employable subject as 88% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. Bath Spa University retains the most (100%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
International Relations
International relations is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. University of St Andrews secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with International relations being the most employable subject as 96% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. University of Glasgow retains the most (99.5%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Journalism
Journalism is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. City University of London secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Journalism being the most employable subject as 96% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. University of Oxford Brookes retains the most (98.6%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Languages and Linguistics
University of Edinburgh leads graduate prospect outcomes in Language and Linguistics, with 88% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the Manchester Metropolitan University (90%). University of Cambridge finds 91% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Bath enjoys the highest retention rate (98.8%).
Law
University of Oxford leads graduate prospect outcomes in Law, with 92% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the Queen’s University, Belfast (90%). University College London finds 97% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst also enjoying the highest retention rate (100%).
Marketing and PR
University of Plymouth leads graduate prospect outcomes in Marketing and public relations, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Derby (94%). University of Aston finds 92% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Leeds enjoys the highest retention rate (100%).
Mathematics
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London leads graduate prospect outcomes in Mathematics, with 95% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at Aston University, Birmingham (92%). Heriot-Watt University finds 96% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Cambridge enjoys the highest retention rate (99.7%).
Mechanical Engineering
University of Cambridge leads graduate prospect outcomes in Mechanical Engineering, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is also found at the University of Cambridge (90%). University of Bristol finds 95% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Leicester enjoys the highest retention rate (98.8%).
Media and Film Studies
Media and Film Studies are only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. University of East London secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Media and Film Studies being the most employable subject as 91% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Cardiff retains the most (98.1%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Medicine
University of East Anglia leads graduate prospect outcomes in Medicine, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Buckingham (100%). University of Cambridge finds 100% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Cambridge enjoys the highest retention rate (100%).
Midwifery
Midwifery is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. University of Kingston secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Midwifery being the most employable subject as 100% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Oxford Brookes retains the most (98.6%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Music
King’s College London leads graduate prospect outcomes in Music, with 94% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Southampton (96%). University of Oxford finds 97% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst also enjoying the highest retention rate (99.3%).
Nursing
University of Leeds leads graduate prospect outcomes in Nursing, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Birmingham (100%). University of Coventry finds 100% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Bradford enjoys the highest retention rate (95.7%).
Nutrition and Food Science
Nutrition and food science is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. London Metropolitan University secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Nutrition and Food Science being the most employable subject as 92% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Ulster retains the most (99.3%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Paramedic Science
Sheffield Hallam University leads graduate prospect outcomes in Paramedic science, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at Teesside University, Middlesbrough (100%). University of Surrey finds 100% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst Liverpool John Moores University enjoys the highest retention rate (99.1%).
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
University of Leeds leads graduate prospect outcomes in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Lincoln. University of Belfast finds 99% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Strathclyde enjoys the highest retention rate (98.7%).
Philosophy
University of Exeter leads graduate prospect outcomes in Philosophy, with 94% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of St. Andrews (88%). University of Oxford finds 96% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Cambridge enjoys the highest retention rate (98.7%).
Physics
Imperial College London leads graduate prospect outcomes in Physics, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Lincoln (90%). Imperial College London also finds 98% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Cambridge enjoys the highest retention rate (99.3%).
Physiotherapy
Leeds Beckett University leads graduate prospect outcomes in Physiotherapy, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Bradford (100%).Robert Gordon University finds 100% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst University of Ulster enjoys the highest retention rate (99.3%).
Politics
University of Cambridge leads graduate prospect outcomes in Politics, with 92% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University College London (88%). University of Oxford finds 94% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst also enjoying the highest retention rate (99.1%).
Product design
Product Design is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. Brunel University secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Product Design being the most employable subject as 93% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Lincoln retains the most (97.8%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
Psychology
University of Cambridge leads graduate prospect outcomes in Psychology, with 88% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of St. Andrews (93%). University of St. Andrews also finds 91% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst the University of Cambridge enjoys the highest retention rate (100%) of its Psychology students.
Social work
University of Salford leads graduate prospect outcomes in Social Work, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the Liverpool Hope University (100%). University of West Bristol finds 100% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst the University of Bristol enjoys the highest retention rate (97.2%) of its Social Work students.
Sociology and Social Policy
University of Cambridge leads graduate prospect outcomes in Sociology and Social policy, with 94% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at the University of Oxford (92%). University of Cambridge finds 94% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst the University of Loughborough enjoys the highest retention rate (98.4%) of its Sociology and Social Policy students.
Sport Science
University of East Anglia leads graduate prospect outcomes in Sport Science, with 88% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is also found at the University of East Anglia (95%). University of Loughborough finds 90% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst also enjoying the highest retention rate (98.5%) of its Sport Science students.
Theology and religious studies
University of Cambridge leads graduate prospect outcomes in Theology and Religious Studies, with 95% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is found at York St John University (90%). University of Cambridge finds 96% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst also enjoying the highest retention rate (98%) of its Theology and Religious Studies students.
Veterinary Science
University of Cambridge leads graduate prospect outcomes in Veterinary Science, with 100% of its graduates reporting success in employment or further study/research post-graduation. The highest proportion of students reporting their career/further study and research plans as being on-track having studied this subject is also found at the University of Cambridge (100%). University of Cambridge also finds 98% of their graduates have secured employment 15 months post-graduation, leading the league tables in this metric, whilst the University of Edinburgh enjoys the highest retention rate (100%) of its TV students.
Zoology
Zoology is only reported by career prospect rankings as well as retention rate rankings by the Guardian University Guide. University of Bristol secures the top spot in career prospect rankings, with Zoology being the most employable subject as 81% of graduates are reported to be in employment 15 months post-graduation. The University of Sussex retains the most (98.5%) of its graduates in the subject by carrying them on study/research programmes at the University.
