Beyond London: Discover High-Paying Graduate Careers Across the UK

For decades, the message to graduates has been clear: if you want to earn well, the best place is London. Yet as this year’s graduates settle into life after university, the figures suggest the picture may be slowly shifting.

According to Adzuna, a job-search website, the number of graduate roles in the capital dropped from around 13,000 in 2019 to just over 2,000 at the start of 2026, with roughly one in four 16 to 24-year-olds in London currently looking for work, the highest proportion anywhere in the UK.

Leading early careers platform, Higherin, has taken a look at graduate options across the UK, taking into account salaries, subject choices, and regional living costs to identify the sectors, locations, and degrees that offer the strongest prospects for graduates.

The research found that those willing to explore opportunities outside the capital may find salaries that are competitive while also potentially enjoying a higher standard of living.

The Cost of Ambition in London

The average graduate salary in London now sits at £28,634. On paper, this is appealing. But when compared against average rents and day-to-day costs, the numbers become less convincing.

Housing affordability in the capital is now twelve times the average graduate income, according to Luminate. In the North East, that ratio is under five. It is a reminder that average salaries do not always tell the whole story of housing and living costs.

Careers expert and Co-Founder of Higherin, Oliver Sidwell, believes this is where graduates need to take a step back. “There is a romance to London, and for some careers it will always make sense. But graduates often overlook what their wage can realistically cover. A salary in London may sound higher, yet once rent, commuting and everyday costs are paid, many find they are no better off than friends who stayed closer to home.”

Opportunities Outside of London

Cities that once sat behind the capital are now making a persuasive case. In Dundee, life sciences and technology employers are hiring at pace, and starting salaries are close to £28,000.

Aberdeen, with its established energy sector and growing green economy, offers salaries of a similar level, with living costs significantly lower than London. Belfast has also become a standout, drawing financial service firms and technology start-ups that compete for new graduates.

“Employers are shifting their thinking,” Sidwell explains. “Many could be realising that not every graduate wants to move to London. By investing in cheaper regional offices and paying competitive starting salaries, they are not only broadening access but also retaining talent in places that were previously overlooked.”

Degrees Linked to Higher Salaries

While location plays a role, subject choice also has a clear impact on future earnings. The Department for Education’s latest figures show that ten years after graduation, economics leads the way with average salaries of £68,600. Medicine and dentistry follow at £61,000, with mathematics reaching £51,500.

However, Sidwell points out that the story is not confined to traditional high earners. “Retail graduate schemes often surprise people. The Aldi area manager programme, which recruits nationally, begins at £50,000 and provides structured progression.”

He adds, “These opportunities are open to graduates from a range of disciplines. They may not appear on the radar of someone studying history or English, but they can provide financial stability and genuine leadership experience for those who might be interested.”

Technology offers similar flexibility. Software development roles now begin at around £31,500, but in the right sector, salaries climb rapidly. Graduates entering fintech in Manchester or Edinburgh can expect to outpace many of their peers within just a few years.

The Value of Graduate Schemes

Perhaps the most overlooked pathway for graduates outside London lies in structured graduate programmes. While the glamour of law, finance or consulting often dominates, Sidwell argues that breadth can be an advantage.

“A graduate who joins a well-designed scheme at a major retailer or logistics firm may rotate across departments, gain leadership skills, and be promoted at a quicker rate,” Sidwell explains.

He continues, “Within three years, they may be earning more than someone who chose a more prestigious title but a slower route, and it can also open the door to a sideways move into another company at a higher level than they would likely have reached otherwise.”

Although he urges graduates to take into consideration fulfilment, job satisfaction, and career progression rather than focusing on the salary alone, commenting, “A higher salary only matters if the role feels right for you and your plans.”