A student's risk of mental ill-health, drug or alcohol abuse could be linked to the subject they study.
New research said many students begin university or college with pre-existing mental health problems.
The findings are from Ulster University (UU) and the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Letterkenny.
The report also suggested some students may be attracted to subjects "such as psychology or law, due to negative early life experiences".
It found psychology students reported elevated rates of panic disorder and social anxiety, while law students had the highest alcohol misuse rates.
Business students reported the highest rate of drug abuse, with nursing students the least likely to report psychological problems.
