Highest Paying Degrees UK 2026: Top 10 Subjects by Salary
TL;DR
- Medicine and Dentistry pay the most: a £37,924 median salary 15 months after uni (HESA data).
- Five years out, medical graduates earn about £52,600 a year (LEO data from GOV.UK).
- AI, robotics, pharmacy and engineering all offer strong starting salaries.
- Your subject choice matters more than your university for pay (HMRC data).
Your degree subject is the biggest pay factor you can control. Some degrees lead straight to high salaries. Others need more work. So which subjects top the highest paying degrees UK 2026 list? The data is clear, and it comes from official sources like HESA and GOV.UK.
This guide ranks the top degree subjects by salary. It uses data from HESA, the Complete University Guide (CUG), LEO and HMRC. We keep it simple, so you can act on the numbers fast.
What Are the Highest Paying Degrees UK 2026?
The table below shows the top 10 degree subjects by salary. Figures come from HESA and CUG.
| Degree subject. | Typical salary. | What the figure means. | Source. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Dentistry. | £37,924. | median salary 15 months after uni. | HESA via CUG. |
| Artificial Intelligence. | about £50,000. | entry salary. | CUG. |
| Robotics. | about £42,000. | average salary. | CUG. |
| Pharmacology and Pharmacy. | £32,000. | starting salary. | CUG. |
| Veterinary Medicine. | £31,000. | starting salary. | CUG. |
| Economics. | £30,000. | starting salary. | CUG. |
| Chemical Engineering. | £30,000. | starting salary. | CUG. |
| General Engineering. | £30,000. | starting salary. | CUG. |
| Social Work. | £30,000. | starting salary. | CUG. |
| Media, Journalism and Communications. | £24,925. | median salary 15 months after uni (lowest). | HESA via CUG. |
Two subjects stand out in the HESA data. Medicine and Dentistry has the highest 15-month median salary at £37,924. Media, Journalism and Communications sits at the bottom with £24,925. The gap between the top and bottom is about £13,000 a year.
Why Do Some Degrees Pay More?
Pay follows demand. Firms pay more for skills they cannot find easily. Medicine, engineering and AI all sit in skills shortage areas. Research from Prospects shows the same pattern: Medicine, Dentistry and Economics attract far higher pay than Humanities or Creative Arts.
The NHS pays on fixed bands, which keeps salaries steady. Private firms pay market rates, which can go higher. So the same degree can pay very different amounts in different sectors. That is why our graduate salary guide by industry is worth reading alongside this one.
What Do Graduates Earn Five Years On?
Starting salary is only half the story. LEO data from GOV.UK shows Medicine and Dentistry graduates earn a median of £52,600 a year five years after uni. The Telegraph reports an average of £56,400 for the same subjects at UK unis.
Some subjects show a huge range. Economics has an earnings spread of £31,400 between its top and bottom quarters, per LEO. That means an economics degree can pay very well or just okay. It depends on your choices after uni.
Telegraph data shows performing arts graduates earn the least five years on.
Does Your University Matter?
Yes, but less than you think. HMRC data shows a computing degree from a Russell Group uni pays only a little more than one from a post-92 uni. The subject you study matters far more than the badge on your certificate. CareerMetrics analysed the HMRC data and found the same thing.
For the full picture on degree value, read our guide on whether a degree is worth it in 2026.
What If Your Degree Does Not Pay Well?
Your subject sets your starting point, not your ceiling. Plenty of graduates move into well-paid roles with the right skills and experience. Here is how:
- Add in-demand skills to your CV. Free courses can help.
- Target industries that pay well, not just roles. Compare options in our salary guide by industry.
- Think about a master's degree if it lifts earnings in your field. See our master's degree vs job guide.
- Apply to graduate schemes. They often pay more than direct entry roles.
While you work on your plan, get your application in shape. Check your CV with the AI CV Checker, and track every application with the Application Tracker.
The Bottom Line
Medicine, dentistry, AI and engineering top the highest paying degrees UK 2026 list. But pay is not everything. Pick a subject you can do well in, then build skills on top. That mix beats a high paying degree you hate.
Ready to turn your degree into a job? Sign up to Padgrad for free. Use our AI tools to build your CV, track applications and manage your budget while you search. Start with the AI CV Checker today.
By Ori