It’s always a great idea to research what the highest paying degrees are when you’re choosing a career path. Not only do these choices make the time and money you spend on completing your degree worth it, but these degrees are also in demand in many countries around the world!
And since you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that you’re carefully considering the study options that are right for you. We know it’s not always an easy decision. That’s why we’re writing this article; to help you on your journey towards choosing the right degree. One that pays well, offers job security and suits your skillset and interests!
We’ll discuss what to look for when you’re deciding what to study and we’ll talk about the 12 highest paying degrees in England, including the average salary for people working in those professions, the type of skill sets most suited to each and finally, the academic requirements to study each degree.
What Should You Think About When Choosing a Degree?
Knowing which questions to ask might be challenging, so let’s start by discussing the most important factors to consider when it comes to picking the right career path.
What Makes The Degree Worth Your While?
A good degree is one that allows you to earn well, is versatile and is a needed skill. It is also really important that it’s something you’re passionate about.
Looking at the highest paying degrees when you’re choosing what to study isn’t just about wanting to earn well, it’s also about making sure you’re studying something that has high job stability.
It’s also exciting to know that the top 12 highest paying degrees that we’ll talk about are in many different fields and cater for different personalities and skillsets. This brings us to the next point; thinking about your personality when you’re choosing a degree.
Think About Your Personality
Thinking about your personality traits is important when it comes to choosing a degree that’s right for you. This means taking note of your preferences and what it is that you really enjoy.
You can consider the subjects you enjoy doing most at school and which ones you’re good at. That way, you can choose to study for a degree that matches your skillset and interests, and it’s something that you’re passionate about.
By following these steps, you’re likely to be more motivated to complete your degree and you’ll feel like you’re working towards something meaningful.
Think About the Lifestyle You Want to Live
It is just as important is to think about the life you want to live. Some jobs are more suitable for family-oriented individuals while others require long hours, frequent travel, or are for career-driven individuals.
When choosing a degree, think about your aspirations. Do you see yourself working in an office? Would you like to have a job that allows you to travel? These questions will help you decide your career path and narrow down your study choices to degrees that help you to plan for the future you envision.
The Top 12 Highest Paying Degrees in the UK
Here is a list of the top 12 highest paying degrees in the UK for young people today! These are not in any specific order and we’ll give you all the information you need to know for each degree.
1. Dentistry
Dentistry is an exciting field because it’s a skill that’s needed around the world! It also places towards the top of the list of highest paying degrees in the UK and in many other countries.
If you have great communication, organisation and leadership skills then this may be the career for you. Dentists also need to be patient, detail-oriented and good at problem-solving.
The average dentist salary in the United Kingdom is around £64,684 per year. If this is something you’d like to study, then you’ll need to work towards achieving seven GCSEs at grades A or A* including English Language and Mathematics. And at least two science subjects at a B grade or above.
For A-levels, you’ll usually need 3 A-levels at grades AAA to ABB, including Chemistry and Biology.
2. Medicine
Medicine is a broad field and it gives you an opportunity to work with different age groups and in different specialities. It’s also a great choice for anyone who is passionate about helping people!
If you’re thinking about going into the medical field then it’s great to have communication skills, to be detail-oriented and flexible. It’s also important to be empathetic in nature and emotionally intelligent. That’s because working in the medical field requires long hours and you’ll be working with many different people.
The average salary for persons working in this field is between £45,124 to £77,519 per year. If you’d like to study medicine, you’ll need seven GCSEs, including sciences like physics and biology, with 5 subjects at grades A or A* and English and mathematics at a grade B or above.
For A-levels, you’ll need AAA grades in subjects like biology and chemistry with physics or mathematics.
3. Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine is the perfect field for those who want to help animals. It is also broad and you can choose which types of animals you want to work with such as common animals like cats and dogs, exotic animals or a more specialised group – like working with horses or zoo animals, for example.
This is also a great career choice if you’re compassionate and have strong interpersonal, management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
The average salary in the UK for this field is around £47,094. If veterinary medicine is a career you’re interested in, you’ll need five GCSEs at grades A-C including science, English, and mathematics.
For A-levels, you’ll need to aim for grades BBC to A*AA including biology and two other subjects.
4. Accounting and Finance
Accounting and finance places near the top of the list of highest paying degrees in the UK. That’s because every industry needs professionals from this field and there are so many ways to offer your services, as well as opportunities to earn multiple incomes.
This is the perfect career choice if you’re driven, resilient, persistent, fair, ethical, and loyal. Working in the financial field also means you need to be good at communicating because you’ll be working with different people.
The average salary for working in finance in the UK is around £52,500 per year. If you’re interested in studying towards a career in finance, you’ll need to achieve A grades in the majority of your subjects. You’ll also need to do well in subjects such as mathematics and accounting.
For A-levels, you’ll need to work towards achieving an AAB grade, including accountancy, business or mathematics.
5. Engineering
Engineering is a very rewarding field because not only do you earn a degree that allows you to work in different fields but it also gives you the skills you need to be an entrepreneur!
If you’re curious and creative and have critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, and communication skills then this may be the right path for you! This is also a great career choice if you enjoy working with your hands.
The average salary for careers in engineering in the UK is around £20,938 to £88,085. This also depends on the field you want to specialise in such as civil, electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering. To study engineering in the UK, you’ll need to aim for five GCSEs at grades A to C.
For A-levels, you’ll usually need three A levels at A/B grades to apply for the most popular courses.
6. Actuary
A degree in Actuary offers a work-life balance! And apart from being one of the highest paying degrees in the UK, Actuaries start off with a high salary too, as much as £32,000 per year!
This is a great degree choice if you’re investigative, detail-oriented, organized, and a logical thinker with problem-solving skills. It’s also beneficial if you’ve got strong Maths skills and are passionate about Mathematics.
The average salary for Actuary in the UK is around £59,650 per year. If this is a career you’re interested in studying in then you’ll need to work towards achieving five GCSEs at grades A or B with a minimum of grade C in English and A in Mathematics.
For A-levels, you’ll need a grade B or above in A-level mathematics and a grade C in another A-level subject.
7. Physics
If the idea of testing theories and hypotheses excites you, and you enjoy discovering new things, you’ll really want to consider studying for a degree in physics!
This is also a great choice if you’re analytical, curious, critical, communicative, and have interpersonal skills. This degree is also very mathematical, so enjoying this subject is essential.
The average salary for a career in physics in the UK is around £41,714 per year. If you’re interested in studying towards this career path then you’ll need to work to achieve five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and science.
You’ll also want to aim for three A levels, including physics and mathematics.
8. Computer Science
This is an exciting degree because it gives you the opportunity to work in different settings! You can also choose to specialise in different areas, and one of the biggest advantages is that you can work remotely if you’d like!
This is the perfect field if you’re an analytical thinker and are skilled in problem-solving and critical thinking – and you enjoy working with computers, of course!
The average pay for careers in computer science in the UK is around £42,544 per year. If this is a career you’re interested in then you’ll need to aim for five GCSEs at grades A-C, including science, English, and mathematics.
You’ll also need to take mathematics or further mathematics at A-levels and another one or two A-level subjects.
9. Business and Administration
This is the perfect career choice if you’re passionate about business. This degree also gives you the opportunity to work in different types of businesses, including starting your own!
It’s also a great option if you are decisive, self-aware, enthusiastic and fair. You’re also more likely to enjoy studying towards a degree in Business and Administration if you enjoy being in a leadership position.
You could expect to earn an average salary of around £42,500 per year when you get your degree in Business and Administration. If you are interested in studying for a degree in this field, then you’ll need to aim for five GCSEs at grades C or above, including mathematics and English.
For A-levels, you’ll usually need three A levels at A/B grades to apply for the most popular courses.
10. Architecture
This is a field that gives you the ability to get creative and solve problems at the same time! It can also be a fast-paced career and gives you lots of opportunities for growth.
If you are passionate, easy-going, confident, creative, and adaptable this could be the right choice for you! It’s also a great option if you enjoy learning about different architecture and you’re good at drawing.
The average salary for an architect in the UK is around £43,115 per year. If you’d like to consider studying architecture, it’ll be good to aim for five GCSEs at grades A*- C including English, maths, and science.
To study architecture, you’ll usually need three A levels at A grades to apply for the most popular courses.
11. Law
Does the thought of justice being served excite you? If your answer is yes, and you like the sound of earning a good, secure living, then this may be the right degree for you!
Law is also a great choice if you have strong research and analytical skills, communication skills, people skills, and good judgment. It is also a field that constantly requires critical and logical thinking.
The average salary in law is around £49,326 per year. If you can see yourself studying law then you’ll need to aim for five GCSEs at grades A-C, including English.
For A-levels, you’ll usually need three A levels at A grades to apply for the most popular courses.
12. Education
The great thing about education is that you can go anywhere in the world and there are lots of extra earning opportunities! A degree in Education also allows you to choose the ages you enjoy working with.
If you have leadership skills, organizational skills, you’re compassionate, patient and you love working with and guiding people, then this is the job for you!
Educators in the UK earn between £19,894 to £64,788 per year. To study education, you should aim for at least five GCSEs at grades A-C, including English and mathematics.
Most courses also require you to have a minimum of two A-levels. These could be related to the subjects you would like to teach.
Taking Your Future Into Your Own Hands
There you have it, the 12 highest paying degrees to study in the UK! At GT Scholars, we believe that anyone can achieve their goals and dreams with the right support, and anyone can achieve A grades when they learn how! So, if you’d like to find out more about our high impact programmes and how you can work towards studying for the career of your choice, you can click here to register your interest and we’ll get in touch with you!
