The Times, 14 August 2025: ‘The degrees that may not be worth the paper they’re written on’
Below is a short excerpt.
While university might once have been the golden ticket to a good career, a soaring number of graduates, an increase in what critics describe as “Mickey Mouse” degrees and the rising threat of artificial intelligence (AI) have all made the decision more complex.
According to the Department for Education, those who specifically study teaching as a first degree are unlikely to earn large salaries, even after a decade of working. The average salary of someone who had a degree in education and teaching was just £27,700 after 10 years — the lowest of all the subjects. The majority of teachers earn more than this, but will have studied different degrees.
Victoria McLean from the career consultants City CV said: “It’s a shame, but some of the most intellectually rich and socially vital degrees often don’t convert to high salaries, at least not in the early years.
“It’s not a judgment on their value, but a reflection of how these sectors are structured and funded. It’s entirely possible to build a brilliant, lucrative career from these degrees, but it takes longer and demands more pivots along the way.”
The article can be read in full here.
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