People who study creative courses at university earn less than those who did not go, according to a new report.
According to the education report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, male students who have degrees in the creative arts, English, communications and languages earn less on average than people who did not go into higher education.
Studying the creative arts reduces men’s salaries by 14 percent, compared with those who have not attended university.
The study also found that women benefit more from degrees than men.
According to the data, there were no subjects for women that reduced early career earnings on average.
On a whole, graduating from university increases average earnings at age 29 by 28 percent for women and eight percent for men.
Studying medicine and economics at higher education increases the average earnings of a man by 24 percent and 33 percent respectively whereas the figures were 75 percent and 61 percent respectively for women.
The report also suggests that male and female students who attend the top 10 returning universities earn at least 26 percent and 40 percent more, respectively than those who do not.
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the Office for Students, said: "This important research demonstrates that, for the vast majority of students, there are clear financial benefits of getting a degree.
"It is crucial that prospective students have access to high quality information about where, what and how they might study.
"This research provides a wealth of data to let students understand how the course and institution they choose may affect their earnings potential.
"Of course, better financial prospects are only one reason why people go to university."
She added: "But universities should scrutinise this data carefully, and some will need to ask themselves tough questions about how well they are preparing students for life after graduation."
Universities minister Sam Gyimah said: "This data is incredibly powerful in terms of showing us what is actually going on in terms of courses, institutions and the financial return.
"It is also clear from the analysis that there are a clutch of courses at certain universities which are not delivering the financial outcomes for students.
"Where this leads to is to have a relentless focus on quality, and that is something that the Office for Students has a significant role to play in."
Additional reporting by PA.
