Starting Salary in the UK: What New Graduates Really Earn

When you finish university in the UK, your starting salary, the first annual pay you receive after graduating and entering full-time work. It’s not just a number—it’s the baseline for your financial independence, your ability to pay rent, manage student loans, and start building a life. Also known as entry-level salary, this figure varies wildly depending on where you are, what you studied, and who’s hiring. For many, it’s the first real test of whether their degree paid off.

There’s no single answer, but data from graduate surveys and employers shows most new grads in England and Wales land between £25,000 and £35,000. In London, it’s often higher—£30,000 to £45,000 for roles in finance, tech, or law. Outside the capital, especially in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you might see £22,000 to £28,000. Fields like engineering, computing, and accounting tend to pay more upfront. Arts, education, and social work? Often lower, sometimes below £22,000. The graduate visa, a UK work permit allowing international students to stay and work for up to two years after graduation opens doors, but doesn’t guarantee higher pay. Employers still set rates based on role, location, and experience—not your visa status.

What really moves the needle? Location, industry, and whether you landed a role through a structured graduate scheme. Big firms like PwC, NHS, or Google run formal programs with set pay scales—often £30,000+. Smaller companies? They might offer less but give you more responsibility faster. Your degree subject matters, but so does your internship history. Students who did even one solid placement during uni are more likely to get higher offers. And don’t forget: some jobs include bonuses, pension contributions, or relocation help—those add value beyond the base salary.

You’ll see a lot of noise online—"£50,000 starting salaries!"—but those are outliers. Most grads start modestly. The key isn’t chasing the highest number on day one. It’s finding a role that gives you growth, mentorship, and a clear path to raise. If you’re offered £24,000 in Manchester for a marketing job, ask: "What does the pay progression look like in 12 months?" That’s more useful than comparing yourself to a London tech grad.

Once you start working, your student loan repayments, the monthly deductions taken from your pay if you’ve taken a UK student loan will show up on your payslip. You won’t pay anything until you earn over £25,000 (Plan 2), so your starting salary directly affects how much you owe each month. That’s why knowing your true take-home pay matters. A £28,000 salary might look good until you see £150 vanish into loan repayments and taxes.

The posts below give you the real tools to understand what you’re worth. You’ll find guides on how to track your student loan deductions, what seasonal jobs pay while you’re still studying, how to save on bills so your salary goes further, and how to prepare for the aptitude tests and assessment centres that often decide who gets hired. Whether you’re a UK student about to graduate or an international student planning to stay, this collection cuts through the hype and shows you what’s actually happening on the ground.