Study in UK planning • Nepal applicant guide

Average Graduate Salaries in the UK by Subject

Graduate salary comparisons need a defined cohort and time point. The latest official LEO dataset reports median annualised earnings for graduates in sustained UK employment, and the values below use UK-domiciled first-degree graduates from English higher education providers five years after graduation.

Fact-checked: 24 July 2026
Course-specific guidance
Official-source workflow

Important: These figures are benchmarks, not starting-salary promises and not specific to Nepali or other international graduates. LEO excludes people without sustained UK employment and annualised earnings do not fully adjust for part-time hours.
Data definition

What these salary figures actually measure

The title says average, but the official publication uses the median as the better measure of typical earnings.

Element Definition used Why it matters
Cohort UK-domiciled first-degree graduates from English higher education providers in 2017–18. International graduates may have different outcomes and restrictions.
Time point Earnings in tax year 2023–24, five years after graduation. This is not an immediate graduate starting salary.
Employment filter Graduates in sustained employment only in the UK. Further study, overseas work and some other outcomes are excluded.
Measure Median nominal annualised earnings, with lower and upper quartiles also published. The median reduces distortion from a small number of very high earners.
Health subjects

Five-year median earnings in health and clinical subjects

Professional routes can produce strong outcomes but usually require registration and specific training.

Subject Median annualised earnings Middle 50% range
Medicine and dentistry £56,400 £48,100–£68,100
Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy £42,200 £28,300–£51,200
Medical sciences £40,600 £32,600–£50,900
Veterinary sciences £39,500 £28,500–£49,400
Nursing and midwifery £37,300 £28,500–£44,700
Allied health £34,800 £25,600–£42,800
STEM subjects

Five-year median earnings in STEM and the built environment

The wide quartile ranges show that subject alone does not determine pay.

Subject Median annualised earnings Middle 50% range
Engineering £44,300 £34,800–£55,600
Mathematical sciences £43,900 £32,900–£60,400
Physics and astronomy £43,600 £33,700–£57,800
Computing £39,900 £28,900–£56,000
Architecture, building and planning £39,200 £29,300–£53,800
Chemistry £38,100 £31,100–£50,400
Geography, earth and environmental studies £35,500 £28,900–£44,700
Biosciences £32,900 £26,000–£42,100
Business and social subjects

Five-year median earnings in business, law and social sciences

Occupation and employer sector can create large differences within the same subject.

Subject Median annualised earnings Middle 50% range
Economics £51,200 £37,000–£69,900
Politics £37,000 £28,900–£49,400
Languages and area studies £35,500 £27,800–£47,900
Business and management £35,100 £26,400–£48,300
Law £33,300 £25,300–£45,400
Sociology, social policy and anthropology £30,000 £23,800–£36,200
Psychology £29,600 £24,200–£36,200
Health and social care £29,600 £21,200–£38,400
Arts and humanities

Five-year median earnings in arts, media and humanities

Creative and humanities graduates work across many occupations, so portfolio, location and sector matter strongly.

Subject Median annualised earnings Middle 50% range
History and archaeology £32,600 £26,000–£42,100
Philosophy and religious studies £32,600 £25,600–£42,500
English studies £30,400 £24,200–£37,000
Media, journalism and communications £28,500 £23,100–£35,100
Creative arts and design £27,100 £20,500–£33,700
Performing arts £25,600 £18,300–£31,800
Interpret carefully

Why graduates with the same subject earn differently

Official figures describe outcomes; they do not prove that a subject caused the salary.

Factor How it changes outcomes Planning response
Occupation Graduates enter different roles with different pay structures. Research destination occupations as well as course content.
Provider and prior attainment Selection and background characteristics differ across courses. Use provider-level data and entry profile cautiously.
Region London and other labour markets have different salaries and living costs. Compare net income after rent, travel and tax.
Hours and continuity Annualised LEO figures do not fully adjust daily part-time hours. Use salary range, contract hours and FTE context.
Experience Placements, licences, portfolios and technical skills affect entry level. Build evidence during the degree rather than relying on subject name.
International students

Use the benchmark with visa and sponsorship reality

Salary research and immigration eligibility overlap but are not identical.

Question Salary-data answer Immigration answer
Is the subject high paid? The median and quartiles show historical outcomes. The specific job must still have an eligible occupation code.
Will it meet Skilled Worker pay? Some graduates earn above or below the published median. The actual guaranteed salary must meet the applicable threshold and going rate.
Will an employer sponsor? LEO does not report vacancy sponsorship policy. Check the current sponsor register and the exact employer entity.
Is the route worthwhile? Compare likely net income, debt and career growth. Include visa fees, surcharge, route duration and settlement plan.
Decision plan

Use salary data before choosing a course or offer

A range is more useful than one headline number.

Step Action Output
Define time point Separate starting salary, one-year and five-year outcomes. A comparable set of figures.
Use quartiles Read lower quartile, median and upper quartile together. A realistic range rather than a promise.
Add provider data Use official provider and course outcomes where available. Context for the exact university.
Build net budget Estimate tax, pension, rent, travel and visa costs. Expected disposable income by location.
Verify offer Compare salary, hours, duties, progression and sponsorship. A decision based on the real contract.
MKS Education AIO support

Turn a broad university list into an evidence-based shortlist

MKS Education helps Nepali students compare the exact course, campus, intake, entry route, tuition terms, deposit and CAS conditions—not just a university name. Our counselling team near Shankerdev Campus can review your academic timeline, documents and budget, identify questions that still need written confirmation, and help you prepare a transparent application.

Admissions and immigration decisions always remain with the university and UK authorities. We do not promise admission, a scholarship, a placement or a visa; we help you build a clear, verifiable plan.

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Official sources

Verify before paying or applying

Policies can change by course and intake. Use these official sources, then confirm any unresolved point with the university in writing.

Final decision checklist

  • Confirm cohort, time point and employment definition.
  • Use median and quartiles rather than one headline number.
  • Treat UK-domiciled figures as a benchmark for international students.
  • Compare net income and living costs by location.
  • Verify actual offer salary against visa rules separately.

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MKS Education is a study abroad consultancy opposite Shankerdev Campus in Putalisadak, Kathmandu. We help Nepali students review profiles, shortlist universities and courses, prepare applications, organise documents, research scholarships, and plan CAS and visa-file stages using current official sources. Universities and immigration authorities make all admission and visa decisions.

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