10 degrees that get UK graduates the highest-paid jobs

A good barometer of what the earning potential is

'The big guns in tech and finance still dominate when it comes to large salaries in the UK,' Glassdoor said

Most people like to choose the degree they study at university based on a love of the subject, but if you're torn between a few courses it can be good to know what the career prospects are like.

Job search engine Adzuna has crunched through thousands of listings on its database to calculate the average salaries on offer right now for graduates of every degree.

It covers everything from entry level roles to top executive jobs, so it's a good barometer of what the earning potential is.

Scroll down to see the 10 degrees that can get you the highest paying jobs right now.

10. Mathematics degree

Average pay: £39,010

Jobs you can get: Finance worker, accountant, banker, academic, statistician

Like many of degrees in the top 10, there's a shortage of maths graduates in the UK right now so they're in high demand — and can therefore command higher salaries. Maths degrees are also a great starter for breaking into high paying careers like banking or finance. It's also good for working in technology — a boom area right now.

9. Mechanical engineering degree​

Average pay: £39,106

Jobs you can get: Aerospace, defence, automotive, and construction engineer

Engineering degrees in general are in short supply, just like maths, and they form part of the STEM subjects that the government is encouraging people to study — science, technology, engineering and maths.

8. Science

Average pay: £40,409

Jobs you can get: Pharmaceuticals industry, chemical engineering, finance

The government is currently trying to encourage more scientific entrepreneurship in the UK through initiatives such as MedCity in London, and the completion of the Francis Crick Institute next year — a huge research institute in London — will provide a further boost. Like most of the degrees here, the technical and highly-skilled nature of science means grads can command higher salaries.

7. Architecture

Average pay: £40,788

Jobs you can get: Architect, interior designer

It takes 7 years to become a fully qualified architect, including several years working in agencies on placements. That means many of the junior roles are taken up by people still studying and actual graduate level jobs are higher up than most other careers. There's also a building boom in London and the south, which is good news for architects.

6. Finance

Average pay: £40,908

Jobs you can get: Accountant, banker, financial analyst

Unsurprisingly, finance degrees make the list. Careers in finance have long been some of the best paid in the world and now that the global financial industry is largely back on its feet, both hiring and pay are picking up.

5. Economics

Average pay: £41,144

Jobs you can get: Economist, banker, financial analyst, statistician

Economics graduates are pretty much in the same boat as finance. Often graduates of both subjects will find themselves fighting over the same jobs, although the more high-minded economists outnumber finance grads in careers like statisticians and, of course, economic think tanks.

4. Computer science

Average pay: £41,950

Jobs you can get: Developer, systems administrator, IT consultant

While many of the most successful figures in the world of technology are actually computer science drop outs like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, those who do graduate will do pretty well too. With technology touching more and more industries, the demand for people who can write a good database or build a beautiful website is only growing.

3. Accounting

Average pay: £42,404

Jobs you can get: Accountant, management trainee, actuary

A career in accounting is one of the most stable and predictable jobs you can get in the UK. The so-called “Big Four” — KPMG, PwC, Deloitte and EY — hoover up thousands of graduates each year, who then climb the ladder over the years. Britain's accountants are also among the most revered in the world, working all around the globe, and therefore pull in big fees.

2. Engineering

Average pay: £42,837

Jobs you can get: Aerospace, defence, automotive, chemical, and construction engineer; patent officer; management consulting

Just like mechanical engineers, there is more demand for engineers than supply. An engineering degree, although less specialised, is seem by some employers as more comprehensive than a mechanical engineering degree, which specifically focuses on building machinery (unsurprisingly). There's therefore even more of a scramble for engineering degrees and pay is a bit higher.

1. Civil engineering

Average pay: £44,851

Jobs you can get: Civil engineer, surveyor, site engineer, structural engineer, environmental consultant

Top of the pile are civil engineering degrees. These are the guys who build bridges, dams, railroads and buildings. Not only do they work in highly skilled roles but the current boom in skyscrapers across London and huge infrastructure projects like Crossrail and HS2 means there's plenty of high-paying work for civil engineers.

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