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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
The best and worst degrees that could see you earn huge salary – with top job landing graduates nearly £70,000 a year
Scroll down for The Sun's top tips on landing your dream job JOB LOT The best and worst degrees that could see you earn huge salary – with top job landing graduates nearly £70,000 a year 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. Advertisement 2 We reveal the degrees that lead to the highest - and lowest - paying jobs Credit: Getty 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement That's £32,262 more than the average national salary, which is £37,430, according to the Office for National Statistics. 2 Figures provided by Adzuna Close behind were graduates with Biomedical Sciences degrees, who could earn around £67,792 a year. Advertisement 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. Advertisement How to find the right job for you Simon Fabb, CEO of 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The five degrees with the best job prospects
Selecting which degree to study can have a huge bearing on the rest of your life. Choose wisely, and it could open the door to your dream job when you graduate; make a bad decision, and you risk severely damaging your job prospects. Picking the right subject is even more important given the cost of a university education. Right now, undergraduates face a perfect storm of eye-watering living costs and high-interest loans – and many of today's students will never pay off what they owe. To help you on your way, Telegraph Money has compiled a list of the five 'most employable UK degrees' – those subjects renowned for securing a job after graduation, unlocking brilliant career prospects, and offering impressive earnings potential. Most employable degrees in the UK Other highly-rated 'very employable' degrees Will a degree improve my chances of getting a job? Can I change from one degree to another? Most employable degrees in the UK We've set out the five degrees with the best employment prospects after graduation, based on demand for graduates in specific roles and the number of roles available. 1. Medicine With options that could lead you to a career as a medical consultant, surgeon, cardiologist, neurologist, GP or similar, medicine continues to be one of the most employable degrees in the UK. This is not just because of the NHS's ongoing demand for qualified staff but because the pathway is so structured, according to Simon Fabb, chief executive of jobs board Chief Jobs. Getting on a medicine course typically requires strong A-level results in sciences, especially chemistry and biology, as well as university clinical aptitude test (Ucat) admissions tests. You also need high grades in your GCSEs. Degrees are longer than standard undergraduate courses, and can take around five years to complete. Once you've got this, students typically enter two years of foundation training. There's likely to be further training after this too, depending on the specialism you choose – for example, you can expect a further three years of training if you want to become a GP. Mr Fabb said: 'The career path is long and intense, but the job security and range of specialisms available after graduation make it a consistent choice for employability.' David Morgan, chief executive of the Career Development Institute (CDI), the UK's membership body for careers professionals, said: 'Graduates in medicine and dentistry consistently achieve employment rates of 97pc to 98pc within 15 months of graduation, driven by persistent NHS workforce shortages.' 2. Computer science Computer science has surged in popularity thanks to the sheer volume of roles it can lead to across tech, finance, healthcare and beyond. The UK tech sector is incredibly buoyant and artificial intelligence (AI), automation and data are fuelling this. Applicants for a computer science degree will usually need A-levels in maths or computing. The courses tend to be practical and project-based and may involve developing your own software. Some courses will also allow you to tailor modules to suit the career you want to target, whether that's data science, cyber security or even games development – and some also include a work placement year to give you first-hand experience of the job. Mr Morgan said of computer science graduates: 'These individuals are powering the UK's digital backbone. Demand for specialists in AI, machine learning and cybersecurity continues to outstrip supply across every industry, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the modern economy.' This is a view shared by Ian Nicholas, of recruitment site Reed. He said: 'With the exponential growth in technology, both in business and our everyday lives, it's unsurprising that technology roles are in high demand.' Many universities are reacting in kind – Teeside University has, for example, invested in a £42m digital life building. A spokesman said: 'Given the sectors that are demanding graduate talent, we want to enable future generations of students to succeed and thrive in the industries of tomorrow, including digital media, AI, robotics and games design.' 3. Economics A degree in economics can open doors to all sorts of jobs, including banking, consultancy, policy and even tech. Entry to these courses often requires maths and sometimes economics at A-level and there may be specifications to have at least a grade 4 (C) in GCSE English. Courses tend to mix theory with stats-heavy analysis, and you'll be taught how this applies to real-world political and social examples. Some courses will come with an option to have a year's work placement or the option to study abroad, and the skills you learn can be valuable in the workplace. Mr Fabb said: 'Graduates with solid numeracy and a good understanding of markets are usually in demand across a range of sectors.' According to graduate career resource Prospects, there are 13 career options directly linked to an economics degree – including becoming a statistician, an actuary or a stockbroker – and a further 11 jobs where having a degree in economics is useful, such as a data scientist, policy officer and getting on the civil service fast stream. Alternatively, you could opt to work in financial or business management, or many other related fields. 4. Engineering Engineering remains a reliable degree for employment and particularly civil, mechanical and electrical specialisms. Students typically need strong maths and physics A-levels, with further maths if that's an option at your school. Engineering covers a wide spectrum of topics and most courses will allow you to tailor your modules to focus on the areas you're most interested in. This can include mechanical engineering, bioengineering and aerospace and aero-thermal engineering, to name just a few. Mr Fab said: 'The shortage of engineers in the UK makes this a strong bet for long-term job prospects.' An engineering degree often involves a placement year, which makes the subject especially popular with employers because it shows candidates have workplace experience. Engineering skills are in high demand across various industries – from automotive to nuclear engineering roles. As a result, there's big earnings potential if you're willing to put the work in. 5. Law A law degree can be a strong choice for students who want a structured pathway into a respected profession. It's a career that can come with a lot of prestige – but a lot of responsibility, too. Entry usually requires high grades, but not necessarily specific A-level subjects (though English is often helpful). Courses generally cover the basic foundations and then branch off into more specific modules, such as commercial law, human rights and intellectual property law. Law degrees can take three years to complete and you could then go on to take the solicitor's qualifying exam or bar practice course. A law qualification is a direct link to careers you'd expect, such as a barrister, solicitor and paralegal – but it can also be useful if you want to become a detective, mediator or trading standards officer, according to Prospects. Mr Fabb said: 'Law degrees are rigorous and analytical and, even if graduates do not go on to become solicitors or barristers, the degree is still valued in corporate roles, compliance, and policy.' Other highly-rated 'very employable' degrees Education and teaching Education and teaching degrees are often overlooked in the most employable degrees type lists, but they lead directly into employment and 'serve a real social need,' according to Mr Fabb. An education degree will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills required to teach students in schools and can be valuable at a time when schools are struggling with teacher shortages. Getting on to a teacher training course usually requires achieving at least a grade C in GCSE English and maths, with science often preferred too. It's also useful if you've had work experience in a school setting. Mr Fabb added: 'With many schools struggling to recruit, especially in STEM subjects, newly qualified teachers are in demand across the country.' Aside from teaching in a primary or secondary school, you could go on to work as a learning mentor, private tutor or choose to specialise in an area such as SEN (special educational needs). Starting salaries for qualified teachers stand at just more than £31,000. Accountancy If you've got a head for numbers, an accountancy degree will see you gain technical knowledge in auditing, financial reporting and management accounting, with an emphasis on communication and problem-solving. Look for courses accredited by bodies such as ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA. No prior accounting background is needed, but you'll need strong grades in maths at GSCE and ideally A-level. With the University of London BSc (Hons) Professional Accountancy programme, for example, students can work towards the ACCA Qualification and a BSc at the same time. Alan Hatfield, ACCA's executive director, said: 'This means there's no need to choose between an academic and a professional qualification. Students also benefit from savings in terms of both time and money. And it boosts CVs and employability in the world of accountancy, finance and business.' Entry-level accountants can expect to earn between £25,000 and £35,000, but there's potential to earn a lot more. Senior roles can net you more than £70,000. If you graduate with both the BSc and the ACCA Qualification – or similar – this could lead to global opportunities in accountancy firms, audit firms and in the finance teams of businesses and other organisations. You could end up working for employers such as the ' big four ' and top global businesses. Long term career prospects could include high-level roles such as chief financial officer, head of finance, audit partner and business leadership positions. Will a degree improve my chances of getting a job? This very much depends on the degree you study and the career you have in mind. But with tuition fees set to rise to £9,535 per year from this autumn, the question of whether university is worth it has never been more pertinent. According to Indeed's Hiring Lab, the percentage of job postings in the UK that explicitly require a Bachelor's (or more advanced) degree has remained steady, at around 4.6pc, for several years – so there are plenty of jobs you don't need a degree for. However, further analysis found that certain job categories do mention 'tertiary credentials' (anything between a foundation and doctoral degree), including scientific research and development (with 45.7pc of postings in this field requiring this level of education), civil engineering (30.1pc), mathematics (28.6pc) and social science (21.5pc). Note that while job prospects from the degrees we've listed have historically been good – and may continue to be – an increasingly competitive job market and future uncertainty over the role of AI means that employers may be looking for much more than just a relevant degree from candidates. Clare Walsh, of the Institute of Analytics and part-time lecturer in data and AI, said: 'Times are changing and what we're seeing is that companies are looking for a wide cross-section of qualifications and skills.' This might include things such as digital skills competency, data analysis skills and project management. Elsewhere, research carried out by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) revealed that nearly 80pc of employers believe that current graduates do not arrive fully equipped with the skills they need to be work-ready. Many reported that they had, for example, experienced a 'mismatch' between academic knowledge and practical job requirements. This illustrates just how important it is to leave university as rounded and equipped with as many skills as possible. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we are also seeing degree apprenticeships grow more popular. With these degrees, students are able to combine academic study with practical work experience. As you get to 'earn while you learn' such courses can be appealing – and also help you to swerve hefty student debts. Can I change from one degree to another? Yes, it is possible to transfer courses – but how easy this is will depend on whether you also want to transfer to a different university and how competitive the course is that you want to switch to. The process of changing will also vary from one university to the next, as well as from one course to the next. According to University College Admissions Service (UCAS), transferring will typically involve some or all the following steps: You will need to fill in some paperwork, including a declaration to say you want to transfer. In some cases, you will need to complete a full application form for the course you want to join. You may be required to go to an interview or to carry out some additional work before your request can be considered. Depending on the kind of swap you want to make, you may be able to transfer any course credits you've already earned over to the new course. If not, you'll have to start it from the beginning. This could have a knock-on effect on your tuition fee loan – depending on when in the academic year you make the switch, you may have to apply for an extra year's funding, and you'll also face a larger debt when you come to graduate. To start the ball rolling, you need to speak to your course tutor or department office. They will go through your options with you, and help support you with the move. Note that the whole process can take anything from a few days to several weeks to finalise.
