Estimate your graduate starting salary by subject, degree class, and location
Salary estimates are based on median graduate outcomes data and are for guidance only. Actual salaries vary significantly by employer, role, and individual circumstances.
Choosing a degree subject is one of the most consequential financial decisions a young person can make in the UK. Graduate starting salaries vary enormously depending on subject area, degree classification, and location of employment. HESA Graduate Outcomes data, which surveys graduates 15 months after completing their studies, shows median starting salaries ranging from around 21,000 for arts graduates to over 32,000 for medicine and dentistry graduates. Understanding these salary differentials is important for prospective students weighing up the value of different degree options, as well as for recent graduates entering the job market and negotiating their first salary. Our calculator uses data from HESA Graduate Outcomes, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and employer salary surveys to provide evidence-based estimates. Location plays a significant role in graduate earnings. London-based roles typically offer a premium of around 20% over equivalent positions elsewhere in the UK, reflecting the capital's higher cost of living and concentration of high-paying industries such as finance, technology, and professional services. The South East also commands a modest premium of approximately 5%. Degree classification affects starting salary, with First Class Honours graduates earning approximately 10% more than those with a 2:1 at the outset. However, research suggests that the degree class premium diminishes over time as work experience becomes the dominant factor in salary progression. Postgraduate qualifications can boost starting salary by around 15%, particularly in fields like business, engineering, and the sciences. This calculator also estimates your Plan 5 student loan repayment based on your projected salary, helping you understand the true monthly cost of your student debt.
To estimate your graduate salary: 1. Select your degree subject from the dropdown. The calculator uses median starting salary data for each broad subject group. If your specific subject is not listed, choose the closest category. 2. Choose your expected or actual degree classification. This affects the salary estimate through a multiplier. A First adds approximately 10%, a 2:2 reduces it by about 8%, and a Third by about 15% compared to the 2:1 baseline. 3. Select your expected work location. London roles command a 20% premium, while the South East offers around 5% above the UK average. 4. Enter the number of years since graduation. The calculator models salary progression at 4% per year for the first five years and 3% per year for years six through ten. 5. Review your estimated starting salary, salary range, and 5-year projection. The line chart shows your expected salary trajectory over the first decade of your career. 6. Check the student loan repayment figure to understand your monthly deduction based on the Plan 5 repayment threshold of 25,000.
The graduate salary estimate is calculated using the following formula: Estimated Salary = Median Subject Salary x Degree Class Factor x Location Factor x (1 + Progression Rate) raised to the power of Years After Graduation Median salaries by subject (based on HESA Graduate Outcomes): Medicine 32,000; Dentistry 33,000; Engineering 30,000; Computer Science 30,000; Economics 28,000; Nursing 27,000; Business 26,000; Law 25,000; Sciences 25,000; Education 25,000; Humanities 23,000; Arts 21,000. Degree class factors: First = 1.10, Upper Second (2:1) = 1.00, Lower Second (2:2) = 0.92, Third = 0.85, Postgraduate = 1.15. Location factors: London = 1.20, South East = 1.05, Other UK = 1.00. Salary progression: 4% annual increase for the first 5 years, declining to 3% for years 6-10. These rates reflect typical early-career progression in professional roles. Student loan repayment (Plan 5): 9% of income above the 25,000 threshold, calculated monthly. For example, on a salary of 30,000 you would repay 375 per year or approximately 31.25 per month.