The UK has the sixth-largest economy in the world with a working population of 32.4 million people. Many international students who study in the UK intend to stay there after graduation because the nation has an employment rate of over 75%. As of 2019-20, the UK is home to more than 538,000 aspiring international students, as per the figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The second most popular place of origin for students enrolling in UK higher education institutions are, unsurprisingly, Indian students.
Given that tuition fees are at an all-time high, it is imperative to research the courses that are most rewarding, especially in terms of the ROI. Now that you are looking for the highest-paying jobs in the UK, let us take an overview of the country's minimum wage structure.
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Basic Minimum Wage Structure in the UK
As a point of reference, the UK's National Minimum Wage is GBP 8.91 per hour. For individuals aged 18 to 20, the starting salary is GBP 6.56 and for those between the ages of 21 and 22, the estimated salary is GBP 8.36.
A full-time job at age 21 or 22 would make GBP 15,215 per year if you put in 35 hours per week. After taxes, the remuneration falls to GBP 14,008 annually. As of 1 April 2021, the National Minimum Wage in the UK was GBP 28,000 per annum.
What about the highest paying jobs in the UK for new graduates? The statistics fluctuate on this for a number of reasons, but the average starting salary in the UK is roughly GBP 24,000 annually. If we divide it, it comes out to about GBP 2,000 per month, a little over GBP 450 per week, or a little over GBP 90 each day.
An income of this amount or over would be considered a decent starting wage, covering your living costs, allowing recreational activities, and helping you pay off your student loans (if any).
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What Degrees Pay the Highest Salary in the UK?
In the past, getting any degree guaranteed a good salary. However, things have changed since then. It was estimated that only 10-20% of the UK population was enrolled in higher education in the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years, that figure has risen to about 50%. For many recent graduates, this translates to tougher competition for employment, stagnating starting pay against growing living expenses, and ultimately, longer-term student debt.
But not every degree is like this. If you make the proper decision, you will land a well-paying job doing something you enjoy right from the start. In particular, if your primary priority is to land for highest paying jobs in the UK once you graduate, the following table breaks down a variety of best degrees you might want to think about pursuing:
Degree Type |
Estimated Annual Salary (in GBP) |
---|---|
Business & Administration |
25,000 |
Computer Science |
27,000 |
Dentistry |
38,000 |
Economics |
29,700 |
Medicine |
33,500 |
Veterinary Medicine |
35,330 |
These are simply the starting salaries on average for diverse positions among these disciplines. With any of the degrees listed above, you have a lot of room to make more or less money depending on your experience, where you live, etc.
For example, as a medical practitioner, you can begin by making only approximately GBP 33,500 annually, however, after a few years, it is simple to advance to earning GBP 50,000 to GBP 60,000 or maybe more.
List of Highest Paying Job Positions in the UK
The senior manager or chief executive position is the highest-paid job position in the United Kingdom. Senior managers and chief executives are crucial business leaders who have a multitude of responsibilities. Being highly trained professionals, their annual remuneration should be commensurate with their skill set and daily workload.
Chief executives and Senior managers can make anywhere from GBP 50,000 on the very low-income scale to as high as around GBP 600,000 per year. There are many more highest paying jobs in the UK besides serving as a chief executive or senior manager of an organisation. To help you come up with more career options, below we have listed the top 20 highest paying jobs in the UK:
Job Role |
Estimated Annual Salary (in GBP) |
---|---|
Accountant |
65,000 |
Advertising and Public Relations Director |
100,000 |
Aircraft Controller |
50,000 |
Aircraft Pilot |
62,000 |
Analyst |
70,000 |
Computer Hardware Engineer |
87,000 |
Construction Manager |
55,000 |
Dentist |
51,000 |
Economist |
82,600 |
Epidemiologist |
55,400 |
Geologist |
82,000 |
Higher Education Teacher (Mathematics) |
61,000 |
Investment Banker |
78,000 |
Legal Professional |
65,000 |
Medical Doctor |
50,000 |
Optometrist |
86,900 |
Orthodontist |
120,000 |
Recruitment Consultant |
80,000 |
Senior Manager/Chief Executive |
355,790 |
Software Application Developer |
79,000 |
Top 5 Highest Paying Job Industries in the UK
Now that you are aware of the highest paying job positions along with their annual salaries, let us examine some of the highest paying job industries in the UK for recent graduates and for experienced professionals considering a change of career. Healthcare and finance are two of the industries and specialities with the highest paying professions. Here are the top 5 industries to be aware of, followed by a list of the three best-paying positions in each of those areas:
Science and Technology
Engineering professions, computer programming, and web development are just a few of the many jobs that fall within the broad definition of the science and technology sector.
These kinds of science and technology-related professions are typically quite rewarding. There are several options for qualified individuals to find employment and make a good livelihood as firms throughout the world focus more on digital technologies.
Top Three Job Positions in the Field of Science and Technology:
-
Computer Hardware Engineer
-
Software Application Developer
-
Geologist
Business and Finance
The best-paid workers in the UK are chief executives and business managers, as was previously mentioned. Although in the world of business or marketing, you do not necessarily need the position of CEO to make a lot of money.
Financial advisers, marketing specialists, and other business-minded people are always needed to help businesses expand and become more profitable.
Top Three Job Positions in the Field of Business and Finance:
-
Advertising and Public Relations Director
-
Investment Banker
-
Chief Executive
Healthcare
Over the past few years, many industries in the UK have suffered. The healthcare sector, however, is one of the few that fared well during the hurricane.
A job in healthcare is typically a sure thing, regardless of where you live. People will always need to collaborate with medical professionals including nurses, doctors, and dentists.
In the UK, there are normally always available positions for healthcare workers, and now more than ever because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Top Three Job Positions in the Field of Healthcare:
-
Medical doctor
-
Dentist
-
Optometrist
Education
A career as a teacher is very rewarding, and if you have the potential, you can make a good living in the UK. To earn a high salary, you need to teach at a higher level such as in post-secondary education.
In comparison to other teaching positions, the job market at this level is typically more competitive. With enough experience, however, you will be able to stand out from the competition and land a job as a teacher.
Top Three Job Positions in the Field of Education:
-
Higher Education Teacher (Philosophy and Religion)
-
Higher Education Teacher (Mathematics)
-
Headteacher
Legal
It is true that the legal sector has suffered from significant turnover rates over the past few years. However, for individuals who reside in the UK, a career in law is still financially rewarding.
For those who desire to work in the industry, there are various possibilities available, many of which offer great pay and promising career opportunities.
Top Three Job Positions in the Field of Law:
-
Barrister
-
Solicitor
-
Legal Partner
Can International Students Work in the UK After Completing their Master's Degree?
Yes, international students can work in the UK after completing their masters degree. To stay in the UK and find qualifying employment with an approved employer, you must apply for a Tier 2 (general) work visa, just as you must for a student visa to study in the UK. You must submit a Tier 1 visa application if your objective is to launch a business in the UK. You have five years left on your UK work permit to develop your future and make plans to stay in the country on a permanent basis.
For the kind of work you are doing, skilled workers in the UK are entitled to a minimum wage. Out of the three possibilities shown below, this minimum wage will be the highest:
-
Wage standard for the job position you hold
-
Minimum 10.10 GBP/ hour
-
Overall GBP 25,600/ year
UK Universities with Best Graduate Employability
UK universities equip students with the hard and soft skills required for the modern work environment. It is always a good idea to take admission in a university that has a good graduate employability rate which will help you to land a job soon and get the best return on your investment. If you wish to get a high-paying job in the UK, check out the following universities which have the best graduate employability as per the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022:
University in UK |
QS Graduate Employability Ranking |
Rate of Graduate Employment |
---|---|---|
7 |
96.7 |
|
11 |
94 |
|
20 |
89.6 |
|
30 |
82.8 |
|
42 |
73.9 |
|
48 |
72.2 |
|
=49 |
71.6 |
|
=49 |
71.6 |
|
=52 |
70.6 |
|
66 |
66 |
How to Find the Highest Paying Jobs in the UK?
Now that you are aware of the highest paying jobs in the UK pertaining to different categories, it is time to understand how one may initially find a job. Listed below are the primary ways by which most international students find employment in the UK:
Placements: Through placements, you can land a job in the UK. You can witness several prestigious brands hiring new talent at the institution throughout their last year of study. You can go to an interview if any of those companies appeal to your academic and professional interests. After this, if you are selected, you will be given an offer letter and will be able to start working there after your graduation.
Job Portals: There are numerous job portals and websites accessible for you to visit as you begin your job hunt. For instance, Indeed, Post-study, Linkedin, etc. These websites provide all of the job vacancies together with the employer name, job description, application procedures, expected income ranges, etc.
Internships/Part-Time: Depending on the academic subject they have chosen, most international students prefer to look for part-time job options in the UK or an internship to supplement their income and strengthen their skills while studying. If you do well, you can simply transition from this part-time position to a full-time one.
Alumni: An excellent way to obtain employment in the UK is through alumni. Reaching out to alumni can help you learn more about the course you are pursuing and determine whether there are any job vacancies for which you would be a good fit. Seeking their assistance will improve your job hunt in the UK since alumni typically have excellent connections and work for reputable companies.
Recruiting Fairs: The majority of recruitment fairs are held, as indicated by the website of your university. This is comparable to a placement opportunity where various business groups will be searching for skills that will meet their vacant job positions. Students can check out the same to determine if any of them align with their professional interests.
Work Visa in UK for Employment
As a foreign national, if you want to work in UK, you will require a work visa for getting employed. There are different types of work visas that you can apply for to work in any of the highest paying jobs in UK. More than 2 lakh work visas are granted in the UK every year and Indians are amongst the top recipients of the visas. The most popular types of visas required for highest paying jobs in UK are:
Graduate Visa
This visa allows you to stay in UK for two years after you complete your degree in the UK. PhD holders can stay for three years. You must be in the UK while applying for this visa. Your current visa status must be a UK Student visa. You must have studied a bachelor, postgraduate or other courses for a minimum period of time and your education provider must notify Home Office that you have completed your course. You can find a job with this visa and on its expiry, you can switch to a skilled worker visa.
Skilled Worker Visa
The skilled worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 visa and it allows you to work in the UK with an approved employer. You can live in the UK for five years and after that, you can extend it. You will be eligible for this visa if you have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the job role, you are employed in a job on the list of eligible occupations and you get a minimum salary. Most importantly, you must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. You can apply for this visa three months before the work start date and can get a decision within three weeks.
To sum up, determine your hobbies and the kind of employment role you are looking for, then acquire the necessary knowledge and expertise. To help you stand out from the competition, be sure to customise and keep your CV up-to-date with your qualifications, relevant work experience, apprenticeships, and other accomplishments.
An optimistic outlook will go a long way for you, especially when you are up against other excellent candidates. Even if you receive a job rejection, make an effort to get in touch with your interviewer so you may get honest suggestions on where you went wrong.
Interested to know more about the highest paying jobs in the UK? Or, need expert guidance to choose the right course to enrol in? Ask our experts at abroad@collegedekho.com. and resolve all your queries right away.
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