Thinking about university? It’s a big decision. You want a subject you’ll find interesting, for sure. But let’s be honest, the earning potential after you graduate is a huge factor.
Choosing the right university degree can set you up for a great career with a brilliant salary. This blog post is here to help. We're going to walk through the highest-paying degrees in the UK.
We’ll look at the kind of money you can make, what jobs are out there, and the top universities for each field. This will help you choose a degree that fits your skills and your future financial goals.
Let’s look at the highest-paying degrees in the UK for 2025.
1. Dentistry
Dentistry is a fantastic option if you're looking for a career with a serious bite. It's a field that requires precision and great people skills. The financial rewards are significant right from the moment you qualify.
The demand for good dentists is always high in the NHS and private practice. This is easily one of the highest-paying degrees.
- Average Salary: Newly qualified dentists in the NHS have starting salaries of around £38,000. This can quickly rise to over £100,000 for experienced dentists or those with their own practice.
- Job Prospects: Most graduates work as dentists. You could work in general practice, a hospital, or even the armed forces. There are also paths to dental research or teaching.
- Top Universities: University of Glasgow, University of Plymouth, Queen's University Belfast, University of Dundee.
2. Medicine
A medical degree is more than just a course; it's a calling. It’s a long and tough road, leading to one of the most respected and financially secure careers you can have.
As a doctor, you make a real difference in people's lives every day. The training is intense, but the job security and graduate salary in the UK are almost unmatched.
- Average Salary: Junior doctors start at about £30,000. This increases as you specialise, with consultants and GPs often earning well over £100,000.
- Job Prospects: The most common career path is becoming a doctor as a GP or a specialist consultant (like a surgeon or psychiatrist). You could also go into medical research, public health, or work for a pharmaceutical company.
- Top Universities: University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL).
3. Veterinary medicine
If you love animals and science, studying veterinary medicine is just the thing for you. It's quite a difficult degree to get into, but it leads to a very fulfilling career.
There will always be a need for veterinarians, whether they work with pets, farm animals or wildlife. The job is different and really makes a difference.
- Average salary: The average starting salary for a vet is £35,000. With some experience, you can earn between £50,000 and £70,000. Owners of practices may earn much more.
- Job prospects: Most graduates work in veterinary practices. You could also work for animal welfare organisations, the government (such as DEFRA) or in research.
- Top Universities: The University of Edinburgh, the University of Cambridge, the University of Glasgow and the University of Liverpool are some of the best.
4. Economics
A degree in economics will give you a range of skills most employers want. You'll learn to look at data, recognise patterns and make decisions that affect the bigger picture.
This will open you up to many well-paid jobs in the UK, especially in finance. This is the UK's highest-paying degree programme.
- Average salary: In the UK, economics graduates can expect an annual salary of around £33,000. This can be much higher; many investment bankers or financial analysts, for example, earn more than £100,000.
- Job prospects: Many work in banking, insurance or accountancy. Other possibilities include management consultancy, working for the government (e.g., in the Treasury) and data analysis.
- Top Universities: The London School of Economics (LSE), the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick are some of the best schools.
5. General Engineering
An engineering degree teaches you how to solve problems in the real world. There are many different areas of engineering, such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering and chemical engineering.
This degree is very valuable and will help you find a well-paying job, as skilled engineers always need to construct and maintain the world around us.
- Average salary: starting salaries are usually around £30,000, which is good. Senior engineers and chartered engineers can easily earn more than £70,000.
- Job prospects: There are plenty of jobs out there. You could be responsible for large infrastructure projects, building bridges or developing new technologies.
- Top universities: The University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the Imperial University of London and the University of Sheffield are some of the best universities.
6. Mathematics
Studying maths teaches your brain to think rationally and solve difficult problems. These are very useful talents in today's market. With a degree in maths, you can get some of the best-paying jobs in engineering and finance, not just as a teacher.
- Average salary: Math graduates typically start at around £32,000. Those working in finance or technology can earn more than £80,000 a year with specialist knowledge.
- Job prospects: Data science, software development, investment banking, and accounting are all popular fields in which to work. Almost every sector needs your expertise.
- Top universities: The University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the Imperial University of London and the University of Bath are some of the best schools.
7. Physics and Astronomy
A physics degree deals with the fundamental laws that govern the universe. It teaches you to think critically and solve problems at a high level.
People with these skills are in demand in many areas, especially in engineering, research and finance, which usually means higher pay.
- Average income: The average starting salary for physics graduates is around £31,000. You can expect much more if you specialise in something like data science or finance.
- Job prospects: Many graduates go on to work in finance, the military, research and development and technology. Some go on to study medical physics or patent law.
- Top Universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, Imperial College London.
8. Computer Science
In today's digital world, a computer science degree is one of the smartest investments you can make. You learn the skills to build the software and systems that power our lives.
With a massive global shortage of tech talent, you’ll be in a strong position to command high pay.
- Average Salary: Graduates often start on salaries of £35,000 or more. Senior software developers and cybersecurity experts can easily earn over £90,000.
- Job Prospects: The options are vast: software developer, cybersecurity analyst, AI specialist, games developer, or IT consultant.
- Top Universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh.
9. Business and Administration
A business degree, especially one in business and management, gives you a solid grounding in how organisations work.
The universities offering these UK degrees prepare you for leadership. These courses often lead directly to graduate schemes and management roles with some of the highest starting salaries.
- Average Salary: Starting salaries are typically around £29,000 but can be much higher on competitive graduate schemes. Senior managers and directors can earn well into six figures.
- Job Prospects: You could go into marketing, HR, finance, or operations. Many graduates become management consultants or start their own businesses.
- Top Universities: London Business School, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics (LSE).
10. Architecture
Architecture combines creativity with technical skill. It's a long course, often taking seven years to fully qualify, but it leads to a fascinating and well-paid career. Architects shape the buildings and spaces we live and work in every day.
- Average Salary: Part 1 architectural assistants start at around £22,000. Once fully qualified, architects earn an average of £45,000, rising to £80,000+ for senior partners.
- Job Prospects: Most graduates work in private architectural practices. You can also work in construction, urban planning, or property development.
- Top Universities: University College London (UCL), University of Cambridge, University of Bath, Cardiff University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which degree earns the most money in the UK?
At the top end, degrees like Dentistry, Medicine, and Economics often lead to the highest-earning careers. People in these fields, especially with experience, can earn some of the biggest salaries.
What is the most useful degree in the UK?
"Useful" depends on your goals. However, degrees that offer clear career paths and are in high demand, like Computer Science and Medicine, are incredibly useful. They provide skills that employers are actively looking for.
Which degree is in high demand in the UK?
There's a huge demand for graduates in Computer Science, Engineering, and healthcare fields like Medicine and Nursing. Firms in the City of London also highly seek a finance degree.
What is the hardest degree to get in the UK?
This is subjective, but courses like veterinary medicine, medicine, and dentistry are famously competitive. Architecture is also known for its incredibly intense workload and long hours. A law degree at a top university is also very challenging.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a look at the highest-paying degrees in the UK. Choosing the right degree is about balancing what you love with what will give you a good future.
These degrees offer a clear route to a great salary and a stable career. You need to think about what you enjoy and are good at.
By picking the best degree for you, you’re not just studying for three years but setting yourself up for the rest of your life. This is the first step towards a fantastic future.
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