All Graduate Salaries Compared
| Degree | Starting | Mid-Career | Take Home/Mo (Start) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | £32,000 | £55,000 | £2,213 |
| Medicine | £32,398 | £65,000 | £2,237 |
| Law | £25,000 | £45,000 | £1,793 |
| Engineering | £28,000 | £48,000 | £1,973 |
| Accounting & Finance | £26,000 | £50,000 | £1,853 |
| Economics | £28,000 | £50,000 | £1,973 |
| Nursing | £29,970 | £38,000 | £2,092 |
| Architecture | £24,000 | £42,000 | £1,733 |
| Marketing | £24,000 | £40,000 | £1,733 |
| Teaching | £31,650 | £43,607 | £2,192 |
| Psychology | £22,000 | £35,000 | £1,613 |
| English & Humanities | £22,000 | £32,000 | £1,613 |
| Business Management | £25,000 | £42,000 | £1,793 |
| Maths & Statistics | £28,000 | £55,000 | £1,973 |
| Art & Design | £20,000 | £30,000 | £1,493 |
| Biology | £22,000 | £35,000 | £1,613 |
| Chemistry | £24,000 | £40,000 | £1,733 |
| Physics | £26,000 | £50,000 | £1,853 |
| Pharmacy | £33,000 | £45,000 | £2,273 |
| Dentistry | £33,000 | £55,000 | £2,273 |
Career Outlook for Art Design Graduates
Art and design graduates face a competitive job market, but those with strong digital skills (UX/UI design, motion graphics, 3D modelling) are increasingly well-placed. The creative industries contribute over £100 billion to the UK economy. Portfolio quality is typically more important than degree classification in creative careers.
Typical First Roles and Career Paths
Common first roles include junior graphic designer, UX/UI designer, visual merchandiser, content creator, production assistant, and gallery/museum assistant. Many art graduates freelance from early in their careers. Creative agencies, in-house design teams, and the gaming industry are major employers.
Tips for Art Design Graduates
The salary gap between traditional fine art/illustration roles and digital design roles (UX/UI, motion graphics) is significant. Investing in digital skills alongside your creative training substantially improves earning potential. UX designers typically earn £10,000-£20,000 more than graphic designers at equivalent experience levels. See graphic designer salary guide.
Student Loan Repayments
Art graduates on £22,000 are below or near the Plan 2 repayment threshold, meaning minimal or zero monthly repayments. With lower average starting salaries, many art graduates will have portions of their student loan written off after 30 years.