UK universities offer a huge range of degrees, from creative arts to medicine, engineering and everything in between. But with tuition fees, living costs and student loan repayments still weighing heavily on graduates, it’s fair to ask: which degrees are actually the most useful for future careers?
Whether you’re mid-UCAS application and stuck on what to choose, or you’re in your final year wondering if it’ll all be worth it, we’ve rounded up the most employable and in-demand university degrees in the UK for 2026. This list is based on a mix of graduate salary data, employment rates, skills shortages and long-term demand, rather than prestige alone.
1. Medicine
Medicine remains one of the most reliable and useful degrees you can study in the UK. Graduates are in consistent demand across the NHS and private healthcare, and this isn’t expected to change anytime soon.
Medical degrees typically take five to six years, including clinical placements, followed by two foundation years and specialist training. While the pathway is long and competitive, the payoff is stability, progression and strong long-term earnings.
Despite relatively modest pay during training, qualified doctors earn well above the UK average within a few years, with senior roles exceeding £60,000–£100,000+ depending on speciality. With ongoing NHS staff shortages, medicine remains one of the safest degree choices for employability.
2. Dentistry
Dentistry continues to be one of the highest-value degrees in terms of employability and earnings. Courses typically last five years, followed by supervised practice, and competition for places is intense.
Dentists are consistently in demand across the UK, particularly in NHS dentistry, where shortages remain severe. Newly qualified dentists can expect starting salaries of around £30,000–£35,000, rising quickly with experience. Average earnings for experienced dentists often exceed £70,000, with private practice offering even higher potential.
3. Veterinary Science
Veterinary Science is another highly employable but competitive degree. With only a small number of UK vet schools, entry standards are high — but so are job prospects.
Graduate employment rates sit at around 95%+, with starting salaries typically in the £30,000–£34,000 range. Demand is strong across companion animal care, agriculture, public health and research. While the work can be demanding, it’s a secure career with clear progression.
4. Computing & Computer Science
In 2026, computer science remains one of the most versatile and in-demand degrees you can study. Graduates move into roles such as software engineering, data analysis, cyber security, AI development and cloud computing.
Graduate starting salaries often sit between £30,000–£40,000, with rapid increases in high-demand specialisms. Tech skills are transferable across industries, making computer science one of the safest degrees for long-term employability — even outside traditional “tech” companies.
5. Engineering (all disciplines)
Engineering continues to dominate skills-shortage lists across the UK. Degrees in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical and engineering geology all offer strong employment prospects.
Graduate engineers typically start on £28,000–£35,000, depending on discipline, with chartered engineers earning significantly more later on. Infrastructure investment, renewable energy projects and housing development mean demand for engineers is expected to remain high well beyond 2026.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a highly lucrative career path, where civil engineers design, construct and maintain the physical and natural environment. They work in the construction industry and public sector and are responsible for building roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, airports and railways. The civil engineering field is growing rapidly across the UK as more people seek out professionals for their expertise in infrastructure planning and development.
With a degree in civil engineering, you can work as an engineer designing projects or managing construction teams. You could also pursue roles in research or public policy related to the built environment or infrastructure. You’ll also have the chance to work on projects ranging from large-scale infrastructure developments to smaller scale residential buildings, giving you an opportunity to make a positive impact in your local community.
Civil engineering offers an abundance of job opportunities for those looking for a career with meaningful impact. So if you’re searching for most useful degrees in the UK, a degree in civil engineering is sure to be one of your most promising options. With its diverse job prospects, it provides an exciting and rewarding career path for people with a passion for problem-solving and creating solutions for society’s most pressing challenges. Whether you’re interested in designing structures or managing teams, a civil engineering degree will equip you with the skills and capabilities needed to be successful.
Most employers are willing to offer competitive salaries for those who graduate with a civil engineering degree. It is one of the most useful degrees to pursue in the UK, as it gives you an opportunity to work on projects that create a lasting legacy. Civil engineers are at the forefront of development and progress, and those with a strong skillset will be most likely to find positions in top organisations.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a broad engineering discipline that deals with the design, production and operation of machinery. It is one of the oldest engineering disciplines, with roots extending back to antiquity, when humans invented simple machines such as the lever, pulley and screwdriver. Today, mechanical engineers work in a wide range of industries including aerospace, automotive, civil infrastructure and renewable energy. It’s an exciting career choice that promises to stay relevant for years to come.
Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of materials and design to create products that serve a variety of purposes. They may work on the internal components of cars, such as engines or transmissions, or they may help develop new medical devices for hospitals. They use their knowledge of physics and chemistry to understand how different materials behave under various conditions, such as heat, pressure and stress. From developing new products for medical equipment to finding ways to reduce energy consumption in factories, mechanical engineers are most useful in the most cutting-edge industries
Mechanical engineering is one of the most useful degrees for a job in the UK. With such a versatile degree, mechanical engineers are in high demand across most industries. Currently, there is a shortage of all jobs within this discipline.
Engineering Geology
Engineering Geology is another great degree that can lead to a range of exciting and career-defining jobs. From geological engineering to geotechnical consultants, this degree can help you find the most rewarding role for your skillset. With most major cities now facing growing infrastructure needs, having a degree in engineering geology could be extremely valuable to the most successful companies.
This degree is also one of the most useful degrees in the UK, since it covers both scientific and practical aspects of geological engineering. With a combination of theoretical understanding and hands-on field experience, you can be sure that your expertise will be put to good use. So if you’re looking for a career with plenty of opportunities to make an impact, engineering geology could be a great option. Plus, most employers in the UK value this degree highly, meaning you’ll be able to start off your career with a good salary and secure job prospects. So if you’re looking for most useful degrees in the UK, engineering geology may just be the right choice for you.
Chemical Engineering
A degree in chemical engineering is one of the most useful degrees for finding a job in the UK. It’s a very popular degree, with thousands of students studying it in the UK each year. It’s essentially an engineering degree that requires you to study maths and physics as well as chemistry, so if you’re good at these subjects then it may be the right choice for you. In this course, you’ll learn how to design and manage chemical processes using mathematical models and computer programs. Additionally, those who pursue a degree in chemical engineering will gain a wide range of skills that can help them stand out from the competition. They’ll learn how to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively as well as having an understanding of mathematics, science and technology.
Chemical engineers are in demand and can earn base salaries of over £37,000. They’re are usually responsible for designing and implementing processes to produce, transport, and use chemicals, drugs, food, and fuel. With this knowledge they can solve problems related to health, energy efficiency or environmental protection. A chemical engineer can work in various sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, food production, biotechnology and energy which makes it a versatile degree. Moreover, many chemical engineers use their knowledge in the development of new products and processes to help improve existing products or services. This makes them an asset to most companies looking for employees with a strong technical background.
You can find more about what to do with a chemical engineering degree in our post.
6. Economics
Economics graduates are highly valued for their analytical, numerical and data-driven skills. Careers span finance, consulting, government, policy analysis and academia.
Starting salaries commonly fall between £30,000 and £40,000, with strong progression for those entering finance or consultancy. Economics remains one of the strongest non-STEM degrees in terms of graduate outcomes.
7. Law
Law continues to be a useful but competitive degree. While not all law graduates become solicitors or barristers, the skills gained — critical thinking, communication, research — are widely transferable.
Average graduate salaries sit around £25,000–£30,000, but those securing training contracts at top firms can earn far more. Law rewards persistence and specialisation, making it a strong long-term option rather than an instant payoff.
8. Architecture
Architecture blends creativity with technical expertise, making it a uniquely useful degree. While training takes longer than many courses — including professional accreditation — architects play a key role in housing, infrastructure and urban development.
Graduate salaries are modest initially (around £28,000–£32,000), but earnings rise significantly once fully qualified. Demand remains steady, particularly in sustainable design and regeneration projects.
10. Biological Sciences
Biology and related life sciences offer a wide range of career paths, from healthcare and research to environmental science and biotechnology.
Graduate salaries typically start around £26,000–£30,000, with higher earnings for those who pursue postgraduate study or NHS roles. Skills shortages in biochemistry, lab science and biomedical research keep this degree highly relevant in 2026.
11. Health & Social Care
Health and social care degrees prepare graduates for roles supporting vulnerable people across hospitals, communities and care settings. Demand remains extremely high due to an ageing population and NHS pressures.
While starting salaries are often lower than medicine or dentistry, employability is strong and progression opportunities are clear, particularly with additional qualifications.
12. Social Sciences & Humanities
Degrees in psychology, sociology, politics and anthropology remain valuable due to their transferable skills. Graduates work in policy, education, research, marketing, HR and the public sector.
While starting salaries vary widely, these degrees offer flexibility and long-term career mobility rather than a single fixed pathway.
13. Graphic Design
Creative degrees like graphic design remain useful in 2026 thanks to growing demand for digital, UX and branding skills. Graduates work across marketing, advertising, tech and media.
Starting salaries can be modest, but those who build strong portfolios and specialise in digital design often progress quickly. Creativity paired with commercial awareness is key.
So, these are the most useful university degrees to study in the UK taking into account graduate salaries and how in-demand they are. Unsurprisingly, STEM subjects dominate the list. However, just because STEM subjects dominate this list doesn’t mean that you have to study a STEM subject at uni. Not everyone is a STEM person, some of us are naturally more oriented towards creative subjects. So, don’t feel pressured to study one if you’re not a STEM person. It’s okay.
Remember that there’s no black and white answer when it comes to picking a degree. Although – it’s worth considering the degrees that are considered to be useless, and weighing up the pros and cons of doing them. But ultimately how well you do, comes down to how much effort you put in and more importantly- how much you enjoy the subject. There’s no point doing a science degree if your heart is in the arts. Follow your passions and remember to think outside of the box- university is supposed to be fun. Check out this list of universities with the best student life, if you know what to study but aren’t quite sure where to study it!