What Are the Highest Paying Degrees in UK?

While no one wants to be a slave to money, the reality of tuition fees - £9,250 per year for UK domestic students, with even higher costs for international students - makes it necessary to consider the return on investment for your education. Graduating with a hefty student loan means that choosing a degree with strong earning potential is crucial for getting you out of debt as soon as possible.

This blog provides insights into some of the highest-paying degrees in the UK, taking into consideration graduate salaries and long-term financial prospects. The figures provided serve as guidance rather than a guarantee of your first paycheck, as it depends on the specific roles you undertake and the sectors you work in. If future income is a key factor in your decision-making process, read on to discover which degrees can provide the most lucrative career paths.

5 Highest Paying Degrees in UK 

Before we introduce the highest-paying degrees in the UK, consider these figures: in 2024, the UK’s mean average salary is £35,724 per year. The average salary of first-degree graduates after 15 months of employment is £27,340. With these numbers in mind, the degrees listed below not only offer starting salaries above the average graduate level but also have high growth potential and employment rates. In fact, if you choose some of these highest-paying degrees, your starting salary might even approach the national average.

Dentistry

Dentistry has been one of the highest-paying degrees in the UK for many years consecutively, with a starting salary of £34,700 for graduates. Such a high salary is due to two main factors. First, dentistry is a highly specialised field that requires extensive training, usually including a 5-year undergraduate programme followed by 1-2 years of postgraduate dental training. Second, there is a shortage of dentists in the UK, making dentistry graduates highly employable. The potential for salary growth in dentistry is also substantial. An experienced NHS dentist can earn up to £100,000 per year, while a private dentist can expect to earn even more.

Medicine

Medicine is another one that consistently ranks among the highest paying degrees in the UK. A junior doctor in training in London can expect a starting salary of £32,000. Studying medicine requires a significant commitment; in the UK, it takes up to six years to complete a medical degree, which is double the duration of most university degrees. As a medical student, you will need to study long hours and sometimes sacrifice your social time. However, this dedication is rewarded with a high starting salary and excellent job prospects. Career options for medicine graduates include roles as junior doctors, general practitioners (GPs), or specialists in fields such as surgery or psychiatry. Many medical professionals earn six-figure salaries before they retire, and those working in the public sector also benefit from a generous pension.

According to Labour’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future, the new government plans to reduce NHS waiting times with 40,000 more appointments every week and implement a new Dentistry Rescue Plan. This initiative creates more career opportunities for dentistry and medicine graduates, reinforcing the high demand and substantial rewards associated with these fields.

Veterinary Science

Veterinary science follows dentistry and medicine as one of the highest paying degrees in the UK. The salary for a veterinary surgeon starts at £30,000. Similar to dentistry and medicine, a degree in veterinary science is highly vocational and takes 5-6 years to complete. Veterinarians are also in high demand across the UK. Surprisingly, a survey by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) revealed that veterinary science is the most employable degree in the UK in 2024, with 79% of graduates going straight into full-time work after completing their degree, surpassing dentistry and medicine. With many years in the profession, an experienced and specialist vet can earn an annual salary of £70,000 or higher.

Engineering 

With the increasing need for innovative technology and infrastructure, the demand for engineers in the UK continues to rise, making engineering degrees some of the highest paying degrees in the UK. The field encompasses diverse specialisms including civil engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, and more. Starting salaries can vary across these branches, but typically, engineering graduates can expect to begin their careers earning between £28,000 and £30,000, with substantial opportunities for growth. Highly specialised and technical fields such as petroleum and aerospace engineering are particularly lucrative within the industry.

Economics

It’s well known that investment bankers are typically the highest-paid workers in the finance industry (and they also have to endure the longest working hours), and an economics degree can pave the way to this career path. As a graduate, starting salaries for investment bankers typically range from £30,000 to £40,000, which exceeds those of most other finance positions. An economics degree also opens doors to other lucrative career paths with high growth potential, such as economists and financial risk analysts. Starting salaries for economists can vary from £25,000 to £35,000, depending on the sector.

It's evident that degrees related to health and well-being are among the highest paying degrees in the UK; so are those in fields facing shortage. The financial value of your degree also reflects the time and dedication you invest in your education, training, or career. While money isn’t everything, it’s practical to consider how your degree can provide returns in the future. For more tips on navigating your academic journey, make sure to follow UAPP!