The medic
Death rate of 9.89 per cent. Second most likely to smoke as students, but their willingness to quit later means they have the lowest lung cancer rate (0.56). Most likely to come from affluent social backgrounds. Nearly twice as likely to die from the effects of alcohol, and more than twice as likely to die as a result of accidents, suicide or violence.
The arts student
Highest death rate of 14.81 per cent. Blamed on bad job prospects, high rate of smoking and poor backgrounds. Highest rate of lung cancer (1.27) and second highest rate of heart disease (6.13). But least likely to die a violent, accidental or suicidal death (0.56).
The scientist
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Students have the lowest death rate: 8.92 per cent for engineering and 9.25 per cent for science, helped by good employment prospects and consequent ascetic lifestyle. Lung cancer deaths are low (0.58 per cent for engineers, 0.82 per cent for scientists), due to a reluctance to smoke. Lowest rates of heart disease death (3.24 per cent for engineers, 3.45 per cent for scientists).
The law student
Death rate 12.88 per cent. Most likely to smoke and unwilling to give up, giving the second highest lung cancer rate (1.02). Despite law’s reputation as a bankable subject, graduates in this survey were less likely to pursue it as a career, so less of an “affluence effect”. Highest death rate from heart disease (6.15). Most likely to drink, second highest rate of alcohol-related deaths (1.59) and highest rate of accidents, suicide or violence (1.25).