10 Highest Paying Degrees in the UK (2025)

Choosing the right university degree can have a huge impact on your future salary and career prospects — especially if you’re an international student looking to study in the UK. While passion matters, it’s no secret that some degrees lead to better-paid jobs than others.

In this article, we explore the 10 highest paying degrees in the UK for 2025, based on salary trends, graduate outcomes, and current labour market data.

1. Medicine and Dentistry

Average starting salary: £38,000–£45,000
Graduates in medicine and dentistry top the salary charts year after year. UK-trained doctors, surgeons, dentists, and specialists are in constant demand across NHS hospitals, private practices, and globally.

2. Computer Science

Average starting salary: £32,000–£42,000
With the tech industry booming, computer science graduates are highly sought after. Roles in software development, AI, data science, and cybersecurity offer some of the best pay packages across industries.

3. Engineering (General, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical)

Average starting salary: £30,000–£40,000
Engineering remains one of the most lucrative fields. Whether it’s civil, mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering, graduates work in industries like energy, infrastructure, aerospace, and manufacturing, often earning impressive salaries.

4. Economics

Average starting salary: £30,000–£38,000
Economics graduates often go into banking, consulting, government, and research roles. Their strong analytical skills are highly valued, particularly in London’s finance and fintech sectors.

5. Law

Average starting salary: £28,000–£35,000
A law degree opens doors to careers as a solicitor, barrister, legal consultant, or in-house counsel. Top law firms in the UK pay graduate trainees very competitive salaries, especially in London.

6. Mathematics and Actuarial Science

Average starting salary: £30,000–£38,000
Graduates in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science are highly employable in insurance, banking, and financial services. Actuarial roles, in particular, come with strong salary growth over time.

7. Business and Management

Average starting salary: £28,000–£35,000
Degrees in business, management, and finance remain popular for their excellent ROI. Graduates often move into roles in consulting, marketing, operations, and management fast-track programmes.

8. Veterinary Medicine

Average starting salary: £30,000–£34,000
Veterinary graduates work in animal health, agriculture, research, and pharmaceutical companies, often with competitive starting salaries and long-term earning potential.

9. Architecture

Average starting salary: £28,000–£32,000
While the road to becoming a fully qualified architect in the UK is long, graduates see solid starting salaries and the potential for substantial income growth with experience and reputation.

10. Pharmacology and Pharmacy

Average starting salary: £30,000–£34,000
Graduates with degrees in pharmacology or pharmacy go into hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, research, or the pharmaceutical industry — all with attractive starting salaries and stability.

Bonus Tip: Degrees With Fast Salary Growth

Even if some degrees have lower starting pay, they can lead to high salaries within a few years. For example:

• Marketing
• Real Estate
• Environmental Science
• Nursing (especially with advanced qualifications)

When choosing your degree, it’s smart to balance passion with practicality. While these are the highest paying degrees in the UK for 2025, remember that work experience, internships, and networking also play a huge role in career success.