The best-paying university degrees, plus those least at risk from AI

We take a look at the value of a university education, which degrees get the best returns and the risks of the coming tech boom.

Choosing a university degree isn’t just about what you enjoy.

With average student debt in England now standing at approximately £53,000, it pays to think about which degrees offer strong salaries and which could withstand future rises in tech.

So, how do the numbers stack up?

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The 11 best-paying degrees

Sadly, the employment market isn’t a level playing field.

Even one and 10 years after graduation, some degrees clearly outshine others.

According to statistics from The Department of Education reported in The Times, economics graduates top the list of high earners at £68,600, with medicine and dentistry close behind on £61,000.

Maths, engineering, and computer science also pay well, while the average across all degrees is just £34,300.

Rank	Degree	Average salary (one year)	Average salary (10 yrs)
1	Economics	£29,600	£68,600
2	Medicine and dentistry	£40,200	£61,000
3	Mathematical sciences	£28,500	£51,500
4	Engineering	£30,300	£50,400
5	Physics and astronomy	£29,200	£48,500
6	Architecture	£28,800	£45,300
7	Computing / computer science	£28,100	£44,900
8	Politics	£25,600	£43,800
9	Chemistry	£26,300	£42,700
10	Medical sciences	£25,900	£42,300
11	Pharmacy and toxicology	£27,400	£41,600

Source: The Times/Department of Education

Top tip: Don’t just look at starting salary. Some degrees such as law, start low (£23,000) but rise sharply over 10 years.

AI changing the jobs market

Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping workplace demand in 2025.

In fact, jobs site Adzuna has found that graduate vacancies have dropped 32% since ChatGPT launched in November 2022.

Luckily, some roles are more AI-proof.

For example, vacancy site Metaintro highlights the following courses as especially resilient: software engineering, nursing, civil engineering and psychology/behavioural sciences.

While basic coding can be automated, advanced computing and human-centric jobs remain in demand.

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Fields most vulnerable to AI

According to the research, some careers are more likely than others to be on the chopping block, with the researchers describing these as “replaceable skills”.

Rank	Degree
1	Economics
2	Mathematics and statistics
3	Accounting and finance
4	Law and legal skills

Source: The Times/Department of Education

Most tech-resistant jobs

And which professions are the safest?

So, which professionals are most likely to survive the tech revolution?

Rank	Degree
1	Sport, leisure and recreation
2	Leisure, travel and tourism
3	Engineering
4	Sociology and social policy
5	Animal care and veterinary science

Source: The Times/Department of Education

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Fees and student loan repayments

And it isn’t just earnings prospects we need to consider.

Most students will face pretty heavy repayments on any loans they take out.

As of 2025, tuition fees in England rise to £9,535 per year.

At present, repayments follow Plan 5, which works like this:

Threshold: you only repay once you earn above £25,000 per year;
Rate: 9% of earnings above £25,000. For example, those earning £30,000 will pay £450 per year;
Duration: loans cancelled after 40 years.

Have your say

Choosing a degree can be overwhelming, not just for students but the families supporting them.

Parents and grandparents often worry if a course will lead to a stable career, whether the student will enjoy it and how to manage debt.

Graduates, looking back, are uniquely placed to offer advice – did your degree pay off as you expected?

Were there surprises along the way, especially with AI changing the jobs landscape?

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.