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Thousands of students in the UK apply to university each year – and thousands of them apply to study the UK’s most popular subjects.

We use statistics from UCAS to show you the undergraduate degree subjects with the highest number of applications for 2024 entry. Having more applications doesn’t always mean a subject area is harder to get into. Remember, each applicant can apply for up to five choices. But at popular or high-ranking universities you’re likely to face more competition for those places.

UCAS also gives the ‘offer rate’ for each subject. This shows how many of those applications are likely to receive an offer. Universities make more offers than they have places. This is because not all applicants will meet their offer’s conditions (like getting the grades). But if you see a lower offer rate, you’ll know that that subject is harder to get into.

Below, we list the most popular subjects for 2024 entry, counting down from ten to one. Use our links to find relevant courses, a subject study guide, and the subject league table naming the top universities in that field.

10. Business Studies

Number of applications: 51,975 
% receiving an offer: 80%

It’s easy to see why Business Studies might be a popular subject. Study this for a degree, and you’ll be suited to a career in almost any industry.

Management Studies can cover areas of business such as hospitality, tourism, land, and property. Business and Administration degrees teach you the workings of a company, from its finances to marketing. Combine a Business degree with another subject to specialise. Related subjects include Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Information Systems, Music, Fashion, and International Studies.

Business Studies degrees prepare you for a career in most sectors. Management skills are highly transferable and widely applicable. From business organisation to human resource management, you’ll learn how to make a workplace efficient and effective.

9. Adult Nursing

Number of applications: 58,990 
% receiving an offer: 49%

Nursing is another degree with an almost guaranteed route into a job if you qualify. Adult Nursing is the most popular Nursing degree. Other options include Children’s Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, and Mental Health Nursing. Career pathways are also diverse – you could work in a hospital, a GP practice, work abroad, or go into public health.

As well as fantastic progression opportunities, a Nursing degree enables you to develop a wide range of skills. You’ll work with people of all backgrounds, sometimes in highly pressured situations. Depending on your role, you could work alone or collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Some UK nations allow graduates to apply for Nursing degrees. This may increase the overall number of applications for this popular subject.

8. Economics

Number of applications: 66,475 
% receiving an offer: 64%

Economics is a popular degree as it helps you understand the financial foundations of society. It can also lead to a well-paid, well-regarded career.

Economics studies how resources are distributed, how policies affect society, and so much more. You'll gain knowledge relevant at all levels, from companies to countries. This includes understanding inflation, productivity, budgeting, and spotting market trends.

It's also a versatile subject. It’s useful in finance, healthcare, education, global commerce and government. It’s no surprise that many leading figures in the UK have a PPE degree (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). Notable examples are Krishnan Guru-Murthy (Channel 4 News) and Malala Yousafzai.

7. Sociology

Number of applications: 67,930
% receiving an offer: 88%

If Economics is the study of financial foundations, in a Sociology degree you study the foundations of society. It’s easy to see how that could be useful in a future career, making Sociology a popular choice.

You’ll gain insights into the motivations and pressures that shape society. This could include family dynamics, gender equality or racism. Knowledge of human behaviour and trends is useful in fields from community development to market research. You’ll develop varied research skills. You could lead surveys and focus groups to tease out subjective views, or analyse numeric data to identify patterns.

A sociology degree is also a great foundation to build on if you pivot into a career in law or social work.

6. Medicine

Number of applications: 69,755
% receiving an offer: 27%

Medicine may be a challenging area to work in, but job satisfaction from a career in medicine is high. Most doctors agree there is no greater joy than curing a patient.

But although it's a popular subject, Medicine is a challenging degree to get into. Applicants can only apply to four medical schools. Even then, the subject gets nearly 70,000 applications from UK students. Of these, less than 30% result in an offer.

If you do apply to study Medicine, it’s vital to consider your 5th UCAS choice in case you don’t get an offer. That way you can plan an alternate route into the subject as a graduate, or a related career.

5. Design Studies

Number of applications: 72,765
% receiving an offer: 64%

A degree in Design Studies gets your creative juices flowing while leading to a defined occupation once you graduate â€“ what’s not to like?

Design takes creativity, adds problem-solving, and focuses on the needs of the end user. Disciplines include graphic design, fashion, and interiors, as well as more technical fields like industrial and product design. As well as developing new ideas and finding practical solutions, you’ll gain skills in computer-aided design, teamwork, and working to a brief.

4. Sport Science

Number of applications: 74,535
% receiving an offer: 84%

One of the UK's most popular degree subjects, Sports Science explores how the healthy human body works during exercise. If you’re passionate about sport, from football to athletics, this degree can turn your passion into a career.

You’ll learn how sport and physical activity promote all aspects of our physical and mental health. Careers can be at all levels. Work in sports development and you’ll aim to motivate a community. Performance coaches aim to motivate elite athletes or sports teams. Your studies may include related areas like Physiology, Anatomy, Psychology or Chemistry. This keeps Sports Sciences students on their toes – which is where they like to be!

3. Computer Science

Number of applications: 92,785
% receiving an offer: 69%

Computers and their related software now form the backbone of nearly every sector. With high demand for the latest skills, studying Computer Science can be the platform for a lucrative career.

Computer Science uses maths and creativity to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Computer Science graduates could work in networking, machine learning, games, or software engineering. Possible roles include consultant, manager, programmer, analyst or developer.

Its blend of intellectual challenge, practicality, and real-world use makes Computer Science a popular subject as a degree.

2. Psychology

Number of applications: 103,150
% receiving an offer: 80%

Leading on from Computer Science, as B. F. Skinner said, “the real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.” Psychology is the study of the human mind. Psychologists attempt to determine why people think or behave in a particular way. If you go far in this field, you could reach dizzy heights: consider Freud, Jung, and Pavlov.

Psychology is a popular choice because it combines insights into human drives and desires with structured research skills. You’ll develop abilities in critical thinking, problem solving and data handling. It equips you for a range of careers. Some are directly related, such as educational psychologist, counselling psychologist or occupational psychologist. Others may include careers adviser, research analyst or social worker.

1. Law

Number of applications: 126,295
% receiving an offer: 75%

Receiving the highest number of applications by some way, the most popular degree subject for UK students is Law.

Law specialises in legal processes and bringing justice to criminals and victims. If you want to practise as a lawyer, you will need to study a suitable Law degree. But you can also combine Law with other subjects and benefit from the knowledge you will gain.

A Law degree requires you to research, interpret and explain complex subjects. You’ll develop strong skills in analytical thinking, oral communication, negotiation and teamwork. Law requires great attention to detail and the ability to draft formal documents. Studying Law will set you up for success in a whole host of careers.