Across the UK, so many students struggle to choose the degree that is right for them. If you are looking for a degree to help you make the most money you can, then take a look at our list! These are the degrees with the highest starting salaries in the UK for 2026.
10 top degrees with highest salary in the UK for graduates
Discover the best degrees to study that will lead to a well-paid job straight away!
10. Materials Technology
Salary Ranges from: £32,900
Kicking off the list of the degrees with the highest starting salaries is Materials Technology. This can lead to all sorts of engineering jobs, designing and developing materials across industries.
9. Chemical Engineering
Salary Ranges from: £33,000
Most Chemical Engineering students study this degree for 3 or 4 years, depending on if the course involves a year of work placement or not. Students often spend 20 hours a week in lectures or labs. Therefore, they receive more teaching and learning than most degrees.
Jobs related to a chemical engineering degree include a process design or environmental engineering (this has become a popular degree in recent years due to climate change). Grads can also work with chemical plants and environmental waste.
8. Veterinary Medicine
Salary: £33,000
Students of this degree learn the essential skills of becoming a vet. This includes animal anatomy and health. They also often study for this degree for five years.
Graduates who become vets can work in different fields. These can include clinical practice to even the military. Other grads will go on to work in lecturing and teaching or public health. No matter which area you go into, you can be assured that you’re studying one of the degrees with the highest starting salaries in the UK for 2026.
7. Economics
Salary ranges from: £33,200
Most Economics degrees are three years long. During this time students learn maths and statistical analysis, technique, and theory. The degree also covers parts of sociology, psychology, and social sciences.
Popular jobs related to this degree are accountants and data analysts. Many grads also have gone on to be economic researchers and financial consultants.
6. Chinese
Salary ranges from: £33,500
One of the most popular languages spoken, it’s no wonder studying Chinese at university level can lead to an array of jobs. In fact, many businesses require Chinese-speakers, which can put you in prime position for after you graduate.
5. Statistics
Salary Ranges from: £33,500
Although one of the highest-paying degrees for 2026 when ranked by average entry salaries, if you have a degree in statistics and make it to the higher end, you could be earning over £100k! The role usually requires lots of maths (obviously), as well as good decision-making based on data and analysis. You can go into various sectors too like investment, project management, business, healthcare and more.
4. Artificial Intelligence
Salary: £35,000
AI degrees teach students to create and develop software systems. Lecturers will also explain the importance and skill of tailoring to world demands and your client’s needs.
Popular jobs that grads of this degree have gone into are app or game developers and software engineering. Graduates have even gone on become bankers and forensic computer analysts.
3. Medicine
Salary: £35,000
Most medicine graduates progress to be surgeons and doctors. These often require further training such as medical school or/and a residency. In the UK, a surgical or doctoral residency can range from 3-8 years. However, this training can only be started after 2 years of postgraduate clinical experience.
2. Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Salary Ranges from: £35,000
Pharmacology and Pharmacy involves the study of different medicinal drugs. It is a very popular degree. It is also often associated with high salaries.
Grads of this degree go into different fields such as clinical, nuclear or hospital pharmacy. They could also become a consultant or veterinary pharmacist.
1. Dentistry
Graduate starting salary: £42,000
Students who study dentistry are often studying for 5 years. Dentistry courses study dental disease and its cause, prevention, management, and treatment. The best dental schools in the UK include The University of Dundee and The Queen Mary University of London. Most graduates go on to become dentists. The highest-paid field in dentistry is ‘Oral and maxillofacial surgery.’ This is concerned with treating diseases in the mouth, jaw, face, or neck. However, no matter which area you go into, you’re bound to be paid well given dentistry is one of the degrees with the highest starting salaries 2026.
These are our top ten picks for degrees with the highest starting salaries in the UK!
If you want to explore your degree options further, then click read more content on choosing a degree!