GOING to university costs an eye-watering £68,000, so it pays to pick a degree that will bank you a healthy paycheck.
Here we take a look at the best and worst courses for earning a higher salary after graduation – and the difference in pay is a whopping £46,600.
While many students end up paying out £68,000, which is the total cost of studying.
University costs have soared in recent years and the average student in England is now expected to graduate with a debt of £43,700.
This sum includes maintenance and tuition loans.
Most students will need to pay back their student loan over 30 years, after which point it is written off. This applies to graduates who are on a repayment scheme called Plan 5.
Meanwhile, those who applied for a student loan after August 2023 will now need to pay it back over 40 years. These students are on the Plan 2 repayment scheme.
Repaying such large debts can make it much harder to save for a house deposit or start a family.
So, if you are weighing up your options after school or college, or even considering a career change, then our guide could help.
Recruitment website Adzuna has crunched the numbers to reveal which degrees offer the best – and worst – value for money.
The company analysed more than 100,000 CVs from job seekers between 2020 and 2025 to figure out how much they earned five years after graduation.
Five of the degrees will lead to a job with a salary of more than £60,000 within five years – here’s what you need to know.
Which degrees lead to top-paying jobs?
Unsurprisingly, students who study STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) are most likely to pocket the best pay checks.
Students with Computer Science degrees are likely to earn the most out of anyone, and can expect to pocket an enormous £69,692 a year.
That’s £32,262 more than the average national salary, which is £37,430, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Figures provided by Adzuna
Close behind were graduates with Biomedical Sciences degrees, who could earn around £67,792 a year.
Meanwhile, students on Data Science degrees can expect to earn £64,412 a year.
Financial Management graduates could pocket £63,662 a year.
Hot on the heels are Business Analytics students, who can expect to earn £62,537 a year.
Plus, Economics and Politics students can bag a pay check of £55,520 a year.
How to find the right job for you
Simon Fabb, CEO of ChiefJobs.com, shares his tips to help you find the right role.
Get experience
“Something I’d suggest every student do is start gaining relevant experience while they’re still studying.
“The job market is so oversaturated and having a degree on its own doesn’t hold the same weight it used to, so have a look for internships, part-time work, freelance projects and volunteering opportunities to bolster your CV while reading for your degree.
“Employers will want to see evidence of initiative and a real-world application of the skills you’ve been learning – especially is competitive sectors like tech or finance.”
Consider your location
“Graduate salaries can vary hugely depending on where you’re willing to work so have a think about location.
“Large cities and major hubs, particularly London and parts of the South East, tend to offer significantly higher starting salaries than other regions.
“Being flexible about location will gives you access to better-paid opportunities, especially in industries where demand is concentrated geographically.”
Look for remote jobs
“In some sectors, remote roles are now common at entry level too, which opens up national and even international job markets.”
Work on your communication skills
“Strong communication skills, confidence in interviews, adaptability, and a clear understanding of the role and company carry just as much weight.
“If you can demonstrate that you understand the specific challenges and goals of a business you’re much more likely to be offered higher starting package.”
Meanwhile, Accounting graduates have an average salary of £55,375 while those who study Big Data can earn an average of £54,075 a year.
Engineers are also highly sought after, with two degrees in this subject leading to a high pay packet.
Electronics and Communication Engineering students could walk away with £57,287 a year.
Meanwhile, Industrial Engineers could earn slightly less, at £53,536 a year.
Which degrees lead to the lowest paying jobs?
There are certain degrees to swerve though if you’re wanting a big bank balance.
It may come as no surprise that those who studied the Arts will be the worst off.
Graduates who studied Photography will earn the lowest salary of all students, with an average pay packet of £23,030 a year.
That’s £14,400 less than the national average.
Several creative degrees will also lead to low-paying jobs.
Among them is Textiles, which comes with an average salary of £23,837 after five years.
Music and Fine Art graduates can also expect to earn less than their peers.
A graduate with a music degree can expect to earn £23,903 a year, while Fine Art students can expect to pocket £24,020.
I'm using my music degree to get into marketing
MUSIC graduate Shakila Karim is using her degree to get a job in marketing.
The 27-year-old graduated from ICMP with a Music Degree in 2019.
Shakila had hoped to launch a successful music career and perform at venues across the UK, but the pandemic made this impossible.
Instead, she worked at her local Tesco and gave music lessons to students online.
When restrictions lifted she did several local performances, including at a charity gig in Bishop’s Stortford.
Shakila, from Hertfordshire, has now used her degree to get work experience in music marketing.
She said: “I worked for a year at a radio plugger service, which pitched new music to heads of music, producers and DJs.
“Now I’ve got marketing experience I’m trying to use it to find a full-time job in marketing.
“I want to make sure my skills are transferable across all marketing industries and find a full-time marketing job.”
Several humanities degrees including Geography, Politics and History also made the list.
A Geography graduate will earn an average salary of £23,445 a year, while Politics and History students will walk away with an average salary of £24,094.
Meanwhile, graduates with specialist degrees also often earn low salaries.
Criminology students earn a salary of £23,420 five years after graduation.
Translation graduates can earn a salary of £23,498 while American studies students can expect to earn £23,924.
Plus Zoology graduates can expect to earn £24,297 a year on average.
How can I make myself stand out?
When applying for a job, it’s important to make sure you stand out.
Tailor your CV and cover letter to the role you are after.
Highlight your skills, experience and qualifications and make it clear that they match the job.
Emphasise what makes you the right candidate for the role.
In your cover letter and interview explain clearly why you are excited about the role, company and industry.
You should also make it clear how your values align.
You can find this information on the company’s website and in the job description.
If you do not have the right experience, then emphasise the skills you do have.
Think teamwork, communication and problem-solving.
You can also mention soft skills such as time management, communication and resilience.
You can also highlight the ways that you have continued to learn and improve yourself.
This could be through courses or workshops at university or hobbies.
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