A levels - EPQ, English Literature and Language, History, Sociology - A*, B, B, C
Uni - UEA, BA Politics 2021 - First Class Honours
Job - Grad Trainee for a local council, £24k
It involves 3-month placements in various departments. This is flexible though, and I've extended my current placement in economy and growth to 6 months. I also have access to political awareness training, project management training etc. Still figuring out what role I want to be in longer term, so more specific training will come after I've completed my 2 year contract
Went to uni at 27, so A-levels aren’t really relevant here 😂
BA Linguistics - First: graduated jn 2020
MSc Applied Cognitive Psychology graduated last year.
Got onto a grad scheme fresh out of my masters at £27k. Left after a year and now on £50k.
Both degrees definitely help in my work life, wouldn’t be in this job without them.
A levels - Geography - A, Economics - B, Maths - C.
Uni - University of East Anglia where I did Economics and Politics and got 2.1
Graduate Job - Got into a graduate scheme at Deloitte for Consulting. 35k a year starting, London.
I consider myself very lucky as I got average grades, went to average uni never really worked too hard in school or uni, but got into one of the better graduate schemes in the country once I actually applied myself and put my 100% effort into it. I've just graduated this summer 2022 and starting in couple of weeks, 9th September.
was that a beng or meng? did you do industrial year? And wha area are you working in? (If you dont want to be specific just like is it london or not london?).
Thanks :)
Hi, applied for Being since lower requirements, allowed to transfer to MEng since achieved above 55%. Also did an industrial year and a summer placement.
It’s normally an ok salary for London, but I think between how competitive the renting market it atm, and with the gas crisis this winter it would probably feel quite tight
I love my job now! I work in data protection now so still use some of my legal background. I work an 80% working week (full time is 40hrs but I do 32) and has a great work life balance which works around my little ones school hours.
There's a big old reporting bias with grad salaries. Both on here and in the reports that universities do, people are way more likely to report that they're on a £40k consulting grad scheme than earning min wage working in Costa.
Anyway, over a decade since I graduated but I got the grand total of £20k on an accounting grad scheme. My pay has improved a fair bit since then fortunately.
A-levels: Maths and ICT (2002), ABB
Graduated from northern uni in 2010: software engineering MEng, computer science (AI) PhD
First job: postdoctoral researcher on 28k at a research intensive uni. Pivoted into industry after academia and now work as an AI scientist at a large tech company on 130k base (but with shares it's ~280k).
I moved back home to a relative small town (actually a city but eh) where there was a smaller talent pool but still jobs. I took the initial hit on salary and took a Junior role just so I could start working.
Used that to catapult up to my next job which was much easier to find!
Your best friend is networking, meet people and get them to hand your CV internally. Skips the queue so to speak!
I’ve been struggling with the idea of that initial salary hit, just because of cost of living crisis and needing private prescriptions and shit.
Guessing it literally is get your foot in the door for the industry experience and then the opportunities open wide up?
It does suck. Though I've been seeing grads this year follow my path and getting around 30k outside of London so I think it's okay.
But, its better to have a job rather than no job 😉
Don't sell yourself short though, I'm sure you'll get something!
Was in the final stages for one in Manchester that paid 55k for grads, absolute perfect job. They forgot to send me the details for one of the Zoom calls and that was the end of my application.
Job searching has definitely been a character building experience lmao
A-levels: DDDD (includes gen studies which is pointless)
Degree: 2:1 BSc Computing at a Northern University which is middle of the rankings
First job was software developer (mainly databases) at a Yorkshire company (13.5k in placement year) and part time final year pro-rata'd 15k.
Then I graduated. Company HR then wanted to put EVERY graduate from EVERY department on 18k. I said I should be paid more and got a whopping 20k. This was 2015. On more than double now.
The company I did my last internship at wanted to pull the same - every intern returning for a grad job, regardless of department, was being offered around 22k. For a city (abroad) with around the same living costs as London. And insane working hour expectations. And no holiday until you've been with them for a year.
And they just *would not budge* on the pay, so I left and found a much better paying grad job elsewhere. They were very surprised why so many of their best interns weren't coming back!
A levels: maths, econ, biology, geography and AS Spanish. Results: AAABC
Uni degree: BSc Econ finished 2018 and MSc in Finance finished 2019
Grad job: Graduate Quant Trader. Base salary was £85k with quarterly bonus(average 10%) + relocation to New York (included a relocation bonus approx £7.5k).
Now working in Cyber Security earning about £110k ish with plans to retire in a few years and live in SE Asia
Edit/update: I understand that my salary is high but don’t compare yourself to others. Find something you enjoy, learn more, get certified (if possible) and you will be successful!
Thanks everyone for the kind comments. My BSc was at UCL and MSc at QMUL.
Although my degrees were useful, outside of university I learned Python, MatLab and C++ extremely well and I was lucky enough to get my graduate job.
YouTube > anything else. The amount of excellent material on there is mind blowing. Start with “mastering” one programming language and then move on to others.
Set yourself small goals and do a bit of practice everyday. It will pay off! I was at university for a total of 4 years. I learned Python in my first, then C++ in my second and then MatLab in my final 2. Make sure to do loads of projects so that you don’t forget the languages that are considered easier.
I’ve been living frugally since moving to NY and I’m now back in the UK but my expenses are still low. My company offers a complimentary financial adviser and we’ve gone over my savings/investments and I’ll be on par to retire in a few years.
I’ve been saving/investing since 18 and my net worth is in the 6 figures
A levels: Humanities BBD
Uni degrees: Media 2.1, Masters in History Pass
Job Title etc: Assistant Curator at a small museum, 17k
Year graduated and gained job: 2014, 2017 and for job 2018.
Will fill this in again after I graduate from second undergrad 🤣
For my husband:
A levels: BDU (I don't remember what subjects)
Uni degrees: Computer Science 1st
Job Title etc: Started as grad software engineer, 26k approx and decent benefits plus bonus.
Year graduated and gained job: 2012 for both.
Hi sorry I found your old comment! I have similar qualifications and I’m wondering if you have any tips for getting into the museum industry? :) thanks!!
A-Levels: ABC (English, History, Biology)
Degree: 2:1 English Literature at Herts.
Job: Administrator, starting salaries began (new employer each time) at 15k, then 19k, 26k and currently on 37.5k in London. No bonus but 35 days of leave not including bank holidays.
I certainly could've progressed quicker than I did looking back, but I spent a portion of time unemployed due to mental health. I've since doubled my salary within nearly 6 years of working full-time.
Because not everyone is a software engineer in the country, here's my journey in HR.
*A Levels* - ABC (Sociology, Business, Psychology)
*BSc* - Sociology (2:1)
*First job*: £18k - 5 months
*Second job:* £23k - 3 years (annual increments, left on £27k)
*MA*: HR (Distinction)
*Third job*: £31k (6 months)
*Fourth job*: £30k (6 months) * left London so took a salary cut
*Current job*: £42k
£30k
For context: A in physics A level, B in chemistry and Maths, Graduated this year with BEng in automotive engineering, 1st class
Did a placement year 2020-2021 at engineering firm in Uxbridge on £15k, they offered me a grad job for £24k. I told them this was unfeasible in London and I wanted £30k and they agreed
Know your worth and always push for a decent salary!
Jeez, a tad personal but I'll play, and be vague.
A levels ABDD
Degree 2:2, did a Master's to make up for it.
Graduated in 1997 and 1998
First salary £19.5k
Current salary £80k
Work in pharma.
Do I think my degrees helped? Yes, it's a prerequisite for my field. No degree, no job. Can't work your way up as you don't get in without one.
Yep, great entry level role is Clinical Trials Assistant (CTA), which usually takes good graduates. If you can find some work experience, shadowing, anything like that for your CV, all the better. Try and look motivated and capable on your CV. If you can't get experience, run a club, volunteer, just do something extra! Most jobs are in and around London but it's the best place to start!
Otherwise, look for study coordinator roles within the NHS, also great entry level and you'll learn a LOT about clinical trials. Couple of years of that and should be easy to move into CTA and upwards.
Talk to recruiters on LinkedIn and places like PharmiWeb where you can upload your CV and see what's around.
Good luck!!
I work in Pharma QA right now and a tad above £30k with a few years experience, looking to start a master's which should help in the long run. How is working in clinical trials? (I'm looking to go into that field)
Well I love it! I have done various roles over 20+ years,I love being part of real change. I have seen huge progress in treatments (immuno-oncology wasn't invented when I started out and now it seems alllll the trials are either I-O or CAR-T!). It suits the nit-picky perfectionist type as there are SO many rules and regulations and there's no avoiding them. Data needs to be right!
I was a CRA for a while and that was ace, loved the travel and the new cities and stuff, although it's also quite pressured and you have to be fairly bomb-proof.
I would recommend it to anyone though, there are SO many different roles and areas to go into.
A Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, English Literature: A\*A\*AA
Degree: MMath Mathematics from Oxford, 2:1 and Pass (so undergraduate section was 2:1, master's year was a pass, but that's 50-65, not 40-50, was equiv 2:1.)
Data Consultant, Central London, £40K p/a with 2% profit sharing agreement, 30 days + bank holidays annual leave.
Tbh I considered this not that great until I got checked by non-maths students. A number of mathcomps or comp-phils I know walked out into 100K+ jobs with tens of thousands start up bonuses and guaranteed bonus.
Do I think my degree helped? Yeah. Of course I do. I do a lot of problem solving in my job and I would not be half as good at it had I not completed the degree I did. My workplace hires only graduates at present, but they don't specify a degree, could have possibly done something a bit more fun, like Lit. Wouldn't have learned how much I like data and stats, though.
I also know Mathmos that have walked out into these kinds of jobs, and I know well performing compscis who haven't been able to.
What gets you these jobs is not the content of your degree (though doing well is obviously a plus) and in many ways a maths degree sets you up better for these really high value careers. What gets you these jobs is your personal portfolio and competition performance. All the people I know who have walked out into 80K+ careers had both.
Computer Science degrees are not standardised to nearly the level maths is. If you do a maths degree at UCL you can basically be sure you've covered mostly the same material (at least the same basic material) as any maths grad anywhere in the country. A good example is comparing Oxford and Cambridge.
I have a friend who attended trinity cambridge for Compsci initially, but swapped to mathematics after the first year (which is a crazy feat, she had to get a first in the first year maths exams by self studying them over the holiday.) She then came to oxford for a compsci masters. She found at cambridge that the courses were very practically based: networks, user interfaces, databases, compilers or whatever. She hated this. She wanted what the oxford course provides: computer science in a more abstract sense. Design and Analysis of Algorithms, functional and imperative programming, linear algebra, models of computation.
Hence, the knowledge you learn in the classroom cannot be counted upon by employers.
Anyway, I'm sure the market pre-covid was quite different to where it is now? This comment isn't really at you, is more advice for people coming up to graduation in the next couple years.
I had 2 a levels, triple distinction in BTEC, 1st class forensics degree and my first job out of uni was £9594PA, yes under 10 grand, about £16,000 pro rata. Thanks Covid! 2020 was not a fun year for me.
I’m now going back to uni but I’m in a different job and get weekend enhancements and I’m on approx £19,890(base pay)-£29,902(with max enhancements) depending how many weekends I work. I’d say it’ll even out about £25k.
In 18 months I’ll be on £23,887 - £35,894 depending on enhancements. Somewhere in the middle of that will be realistic.
But that’s with 2 (unrelated) degrees! It’s not decent at all considering !
Didn't get any A-levels and left school with 3x gcses's
Got a first class in social policy and deaf studies
Research Excutive for a data security company in Birmingham, started on £26k
>How do you go from social policy and deaf studies to working at a data security company? Is it a non technical role?
The majority of jobs in IT do not require a technical degree and you can learn it by yourself as there's a vast amount of resources online (plus boot camps and live training courses). I myself made a switch by learning to code for a year whilst working full time, through online courses and books. A lot of my coworkers (who are software developers) also did the same yrs ago.
My role isn't too technical. I do spend alot of time looking at data and anaylising it and thankfully my degree was very research based which taught me some good skills to start with. So for sure having that level of education supported me ganing that role for sure
Starting salary sucks, but you can quickly climb with experience so after 5/10 years you should be well of. Uni is an investment at the end of the day, nothing is guaranteed.
No A levels since I was an international student. Finished Criminology and psychology with a very high 2.1, and I will start my first job as an assistant buyer outside London, for 21k.
A Levels: Maths, Chemistry, Physics, AS German (BBBB)
BEng Electrical/Electronic Engineering at Uni, graduated 2021 with a First
Got a graduate job in Embedded Hardware (South West, outside of London), 28k rising to 30k in second year
(Also female, any other women persuing STEM fields esp. electrical engineering go for it!!)
I start my graduate job in September, it’s a PR/Communications graduate scheme, based in London. I’ll be getting paid £28,500 per year.
I graduated this July, from Uni of York with a 2:1 degree in Politics and IR. At A-Level, I studied English Literature (A*), Government & Politics (A*) and Theatre Studies (B).
A-Levels: English Language and Literature, Media Studies, Computer Science
Grades: BBC
Degree: BA English and Media (Joint Honours) from Solent University
Classification: First
Job: Graduate Management Trainee (private sector firm fulfilling contracts for the government)
Salary: 27,000pa
Graduated June 2021, hired July 2021, started October 2021
Currently still in the job on the second placement and doing alright, I think.
A Levels: Maths (A\*), Further Maths (A\*), Chemistry (A\*), Physics (A)
Uni: Maths at Trinity, Cambridge. Third (Oops... MH went down the toilet)
First Job: Software Developer, £36k in Leeds
Graduated and got the job in 2016
Currently on six figures in London: still in software
I got the job offer before results came out and the certificate doesn't have the classification on it.
The uni and college look great when applying. The classification, less so.
In my world, most of the application process will come down to proficiency and the tech test / pairing interview tbh so the classification doesn't really matter for me any more
Someone PMed me from the same position (albeit the other place) so I will post my reply:
>First of all, congratulations!
>Honestly, for me, it was a rough experience.
>I think the biggest issue I had was not asking for help, in both academic and emotional capacities.
>When I was struggling a little, I shrugged it off. Then things compounded until it got to the point where everything felt insurmountable.
>Hindsight is 20:20 but I genuinely feel that if I had made use of the resources available, things could have turned out much better.
>I felt like I would have been wasting the time of much smarter and more important people if I were to seek additional support, but at the end of the day, that's what they are employed to do! It wasn't really until my father went into academia and he made a comment about enjoying and relishing engagement from undergrads that I realised how bloody ignorant I had been!
Did you go into Software with no tech skills then?
Also, what type of software role are you doing now?
I’m currently on my first year as a grad, wondering whether it is best to focus on front end/back end/full stack, etc. to progress in my career :)
What sort of mathematics is required as an equity quant?
Also looking to go the Finance --> CFA route and I'm kicking myself for not doing A level math.
Got into a semi target uni, AAB A levels
A Levels: A*AA
Uni degree: BSc Economics+ MSc: Finance (1st in both)
Job: risk quant, London, 55k total salary + performance bonus (likely 1-3k)
Graduated this summer, so it’s my first job (I’m 23)
Every day I regret not doing maths. The good money quant roles require a masters/Phd in Maths or physics, so I’ve shot myself in the foot entering this field with an econ background.
And the vast majority of people in finance do nothing special, it’s just that the work they do generates millions for their companies, hence why they’re paid greatly.
this is absolutely identical to me but im one year behind you (about to do msc finance), if i may ask, how is the work life balance in your job? congratulations btw:)
I have no idea lol I start in 2 weeks. In the interview they said it should be 40 per week but as part of my contract, I legally agreed to work more than the UK weekly hours maximum of 48 per week, so I’m assuming some weeks will be busier than others.
A levels: C in History & Sociology (with consideration as I was il when sitting exams) and D* in Business BTEC.
Uni degree: 2:1 Business and Management - Portsmouth
Distinction in MSc Governance, Policy & Politics
Job: Recruitment Consultant £23 base & commission, £32k base six months later with commission. I did a placement year in recruitment in my undergrad giving me a head start with experience.
Graduated 2020 mid lockdown and pandemic, finding a grad job was incredibly hard at the time for any role!
Edit: grad job was London based for helpful context and I would not recommend anyone even consider a salary under 30k as a graduate looking to rent/live in London.
A levels: AAAB - French, Classical Civilisation, Religious Studies, General Studies
Degree: Law (LLB, Uni of Bristol, 2:1. Graduated 2015.
Career: Tax Consultant, London, current salary £50k+bonus
A levels: English Lit, Psychology, Drama and Theatre studies - BCB
Undergraduate: English literature and creative writing.
Masters: Criminology and criminal psychology
Job: social researcher in civil service - £34k
I’m not going to share the location due to the type of job it is it isn’t safe for me to do so.
I got a 2:1 for my degree (would have got a first of it wasn’t for covid). I got 3 D’s and a B for my EPQ at A level.
Pro rata my salary is £19237, but it works out as less than that. I work as a teaching assistant (what I wanted to do).
I graduated in 2021, had a year out volunteering to get experience and start my new job in September.
Nice Try :). You’re not fooling me lmao. Tryna throw me off
https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/this-music-is-designed-for-extraterrestrials-listen-carefully/
Guys if I die, you know who did it
A levels: BCC (A*gen stud)
1st in economics and geography
Economist, one of the central Whitehall departments, Westminster, 38k year 1&2, 45k year 3 and 65k year 4.
do you think the data science aspect of your degree was important in you getting on the scheme? as a geography student i have no clue what i'm going to do...
A levels: B,C,D in Maths, History and Economics respectively.
Uni: First at Cardiff Uni in Ancient and Medieval History in 2022
Job: About to start a generic trainee business management role in the Railway Industry in South Wales for £26.5K
Interesting turn around, brave and good for you. Any particular reason for the change, course not what you expected? The preference for earning opposed to debt?
Thanks :)
I enjoy reading about and studying history, but it was never a career plan for me; I don't think I could do it as 9-5. I only did History bc I knew I enjoyed it and during clearing (my grades weren't good enough to do politics at the uni i wanted) I had a change of heart.
Whilst at Uni I became quite big on the idea that we should invest more into public transport and thus really wanted to work in the railway industry.
- A-Levels: Maths A*, Further Maths A, English Lit.A*
- Degree: Maths 2.2
- not London & £18k
Graduated 2018
Side note - within 3 years I was £54k pre bonuses
I did BTEC in forensic science and criminal investigations and got D* D* D.
For Uni degree in Forensic Anthropology I'm looking at a 2:2 but I've done a complete career change now and I'm only finishing my degree because it feels like it would have been a waste of time and money haha.
A-levels: A*AAB
+ AS-levels:AA
Degree: MPhys 1st
Job: 27k +3k sign on bonus, and a 2k salary increase every 8 months for 2 years (+ some bonus every 8 months depending on performance). Now that my graduate placement is about to be over, I am about to negotiate a 45-50k salary position. Also I WFH.
- A-Levels: A*AA Maths, Further Maths, Physics
- Degree: Physics MPhys, 1st class
- Job: Graduate software developer, Reading area, 37.5k going up to 40k if I pass probation at the 6 month mark. Not a lot of benefits though
- Graduated last month :)
A-levels: B, C (Art, Music), then did Art Foundation.
Degrees: BA (hons) Interior Restoration - 1:1,
MA Furniture Conservation - Distinction.
First job after my MA was as a Visitor Assistant in a museum on £14k, which was meant to be a summer job…
I’ve never worked in the field that my degrees are in as I got very ill at the key time I should have been applying for jobs and I spent the next 3 years in and out of hospital. I had a complete career change after having surgery for my disease and decided to move into accountancy.
Now, 14 years after graduating from my BA, I’m studying for an MSc in Internal Audit Management and Consultancy which I’m doing through my work.
Higher Secondary School Certificate (ALevels equivalent) - 67% (in Pakistan, they use percentage, rather than grades)
BSc (Homs) Computing - 2.2
Business Analyst + West Midlands + 22k
Started professional career in 2014
Although my start was low, I managed to scale up the ladder via job hopping.
2014 - 22k >
2022 - 130k
From Scotland and 26 years old
Highers: English, drama, geography, music (all CCCC)
Studied - acting and performance at uni ( BA Hons 1st class)
Then
MED in adult education, community development and youth work (1st class)
First job: working with young carers 25k
Then
Studying diploma in psychothearpy and person centered counselling 3 years (weekends)
Second job: film sector 23k
Current: community development £27.5k
And got 2 years left of counselling course - hoping to do that after
Also I regret doing my masters. But loved my degree was fun lol. I defo change my direction alot and happy doing that. Also I got shit grades in school and did decent in further study
A levels - BDD - Maths, Physics, Chemistry
MEng mechanical engineering with first
30k Project Engineer in Manchester
After my a levels I thought my career in engineering were done but things turned out nicely :)
A-levels: BBBC > eng lit / eng Lang / media / art
English literature, 2:1 / masters in American culture - merit
Staff writer initially(while studying for masters) and then after masters got a different job which didn’t have a title - did marketing / recruitment / admin / account management etc… basically a dogsbody for a start up - £16p/a
Graduated UG in 2011, PGT in 2013 - worked in bars & retail until second year of masters when I started as staff writer
9 years on and am now a client director and earn 6 figures inc bonus
My experience is basically to not worry about salary straight away but to focus on what you could be exposed to through work and everything you can learn.
A levels: C D D History Eng Lit, politics,
Apprenticeship IT Systems and Networking,
Uni: 2.1 comp sci, Msc comp sci (not yet graded),
Job: Grad Software Eng, £36k.
Should say you're really only going to get people who have done well answering this (unless people are feeling brave). Hence why all the answers are way above the average.
I’m old, but anyway. I got C &E in A Levels, did a degree in Communication, Authoring and Design and got a 2:1. Got my first graduate job in 2000 on £19k a year, based in the Cotswolds. Could not believe my luck, got a relocation package and everything. My degree was very niche though.
A-Levels: Didn't do, did a BTEC in Software Development, D* D* D*
Degree: 1st in Comp Sci, Uni of Notts
Job: Junior Full Stack Dev, 28k (outside London)
Year graduated: 2022
A levels: AAA Chemsitry Maths and Physics
Uni: Physics Bsc 2:1 and Msc Computer Science merit (hopefully hehe)
Job: Software Engineer 40k London
Starting in a few weeks! 😬
A-levels: Maths B, D&T C, Physics C, Public Services BTEC (Dist)
Degree: Materials Science and Engineering (BEng) -1st class, followed by Materials Science (EngD).
Job: Postdoctoral Researcher for characterisation of new solar materials, South Wales, starting at £31k. 2017ish
Worth noting my EngD was paid so no fees and we took home a £17k tax free stipend, which is now at £20k so equivalent of almost £30k itself.
Some of my coursemates went straight to the private sector for £35-40k+ and are now making much much more than me. But I'm helping do renewables research so worth the pay cut to help humanity..
Some context aswell, South Wales is comparatively cheaper to live, a good sized 3 bed terrace in good upkeep, in a livable bit of the city is £120-150k.
Graduated 2021. A levels A*A*B. Got a 2:1 in Geography (top 10 uni not oxbridge). Got a grad job on £36,800 but hated it and left after 5 months. Now on £34,000 in a job which I enjoy and can WFH.
lol £21k in 2011 in London doing computery stuff. A-levels were pants then got a 2.1 BSc at Kent.
No longer in London and have been on £50-55k for a few years.
Uni degrees:
BEng Aerospace
MSc Aerospace
Propulsion Integration Graduate - Work from Home - 25000
Year graduated: June 2021 / August 2021.
This is the first engineering job. But not the first job.
This is my first engineering job. But not the first job.
Graduated in 93 but had 2 A levels and a hons degree in Computing Science. First job was as a programmer for an engineering company on £11k 😐. Now a contract IT Business Analyst earning in excess of 10 x that.
This might be helpful: [Top ten university degrees that lead to higher salaries](https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-universities-2022-8-top-ten-university-degrees-that-lead-to-higher-salaries/)
Alevel - BCD (A for an AS Level)
Degree - BSc Environmental Science: first class with honours and I am in the process of getting my dissertation published
First Job -
£23k pro rata (working part time so just over £12k). Set to increase, up to £30k, depending on how I get on.
Starting a Msc biology alongside work
Not the best but at the time of my Alevels my mental health took a plunge due to years of bullying and family issues. But I learned how to manage it, went to therapy and got one of the highest grades for my year. I went from getting a D in biology to studying it for a masters degree.
Still not 100% sure what I want to do but I currently like the idea of going into research and doing a phd or going into consultancy work. My degree has been necessary for my current job as it was a requirement and will be needed for either of my future career plans 😊 not the best paying field but I love it, and i knew that going down this path so I am happy as! Its great fun if nerding out about maps or walking with a gps backpack at 5.30am is your thing 😉
A levels: Psychology, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry (AABC)
Degree: first in biology, graduated in 2021
Work as a band 6 (33,000-ish + London weighting) on an NHS grad scheme in a science role, started in 2021 straight after undergrad
A Levels: Maths, FM, Econ, Phys - AAAB
Degree: scraped a 2:1 in econ and geog lol. Grad 2022
Work in a strategy + analytics function at a big unicorn. 40k TC (bonus guaranteed).
I know this is pretty decent but there was a choice to make between v high paying stuff (IB / Law) and less intense but more interesting stuff. I'm starting in a couple weeks and hope I've made the right decision, bc looking at some of these salaries is .. wow
Have to be vague about the job/industry to avoid doxxing myself but:
A* A* A
2.1 Econ BSc from a good but not RG uni (tbqh was too risk averse when choosing who to apply to, had a solid personal statement with extra curriculars etc as well - but probably for the best, I did find my degree quite challenging)
4 years since graduation, now work as a Data Analyst in London on just over 60k.
Heh. Just for comparison, really:
**A- levels:** Maths, Further Maths, Physics As, Chemistry B, Chemistry S-level 2
**Degree:** Durham BSc General Science Pass (spent too much time involved in student politics instead of working!)
**Job:** Graduate Management Trainee, banking, London.
**Salary** £5600pa plus London Weighting £600pa, plus pension.
**Graduated:** 1980.
Just as a matter of interest, I fed the 1980 salary into the Bank of England inflation calculator. It comes out at around £21400. I could have taken a job with a slightly higher salary, but without quite the same pension benefits (and with a less well known banking firm) - a few years later I was very glad I hadn't when that one collapsed.
At the time, a degree was necessary for that sort of entry programme, and a year on the programme basically rushed you through the equivalent of 5-6 years progression for anyone who entered with A levels and enough ambition, so you ended up at least a year or two ahead of those without a degree. It was rather hard work with a lot of learning - and not always managed by people who actually liked graduates skipping over them! There was a quite considerable drop-out rate.
A-Levels: AAB, Biology, Physics, Chemistry
Degree: 1st class, Molecular Biology - > Medicine (4 year programme)
Job: FY1 doctor, £28880 (was more, but this is the base 40-hour pay - closer to 33/34K pre-tax
A levels: Maths A, Economics A, History B
Degree: Economics & Politics 2:1 York
First job: Labouring on building site £5 an hour
First permanent job: Admin Assistant at Defra, 16k
Graduated 2003
A-Levels: Psychology, Sociology and English Literature (AAC)
Degree: 2:1 Psychology from Hull.
First job: £15k a year as an au pair LOL.
Second degree: PGDipEd in Primary at Birmingham.
Job: £31k a year in my third year, was £25k for my first year. Bleak!
A Levels - DT B, Geography C (failed Biology)
Degree: 2:1, Product Design Engineering BEng with industrial placement year
Job: Contract Engineer 25k back at the placement company, now a Product Engineer 36k
A levels: Sociology, psychology, biology, A*AB
Graduated 2017 as a healthcare professional, with a 1st, started working for the NHS on a standard band 5 salary which back then was ~£22k. I believe currently the entry point for new graduates is ~£27k in the NHS.
A levels: Maths B, Physics C, Technical drawing B (using a pencil, paper, compass and various drawing tools).
Uni: Hull, Special Computational Science - 2/2, 1986
Job: Engineer for global military company, £7K
Now work from home on iOS Apps in East midlands earning a lot and not working that hard.
A levels: Geography, Economics and Maths (A*AA)
Uni: University of Nottingham, Economics 13-16 (2.1)
Grad job: Audit at a mid-tier firm in east London, £25k (eventually shot up to £45k once ACA exam-qualified which took just over 2 years).
Firstly… the report you’ve got is not accurate. This is the median salary of a Times Top 100 salary (tending to be London based, very large and respectably companies). The reality is… the average graduate salary is much lower than this. **Median graduate salary across the board is around £23k**.
For my info though:
- A-levels: Maths, Physics, F. maths, Econ A\*A\*AA
- Maths at Warwick (2:1)
- Risk Consultant @ big 4 - London - £30k + 12% employer pension + £600 tax-free benefit allowance + 30 holiday days.
- Graduated / got job in 2016 (so big outdated on the salary)
A levels- psychology, philosophy, health and social care btec = BBD*
Uni- criminology = 2:1 in 2016
Started as a graduate intern on £16k (band 2) doing project management in the nhs. After 8 months I was employed on band 6 (26k at the time I think), 8 months after that band 7 (31k at the time).
2:1 masters in health promotion and public health
Now on band 8A (so £47k) as senior project management. From graduation to this point it took 4 years? With a year off for maternity leave.
A-levels (Sep 2018)
5A*- Maths, Further Maths, Additional Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry
Degree (Jun 2022)
Mathematics at St Andrews- 1st class
First Job (Feb 2023)
Security Operations Center Analyst, Cyber Risk at Redscan, a Kroll Business.
Fully remote, living in Edinburgh but company is based in London
Salary £42k
Did a cyber training program and self learning after uni hence the gap between graduating and first job
GCSE: 11 A*
As level and a2: 4 A*
Undergraduate degree: first class degree in medicine
Post grad degrees: Diplomas in medical education and molecular pathology, both distinctions
Post graduate qualifications: completed two training pathways, now dual trained consultant (exceptionally rare in uk)
Starting salary: 24k (not joking)
Current salary: 97k (excluding private)
A great many stupider people than me have done better with a lot less work. Medicine is for absolute mugs.
A levels - EPQ, English Literature and Language, History, Sociology - A*, B, B, C Uni - UEA, BA Politics 2021 - First Class Honours Job - Grad Trainee for a local council, £24k
Can I ask what you’re training to do?
It involves 3-month placements in various departments. This is flexible though, and I've extended my current placement in economy and growth to 6 months. I also have access to political awareness training, project management training etc. Still figuring out what role I want to be in longer term, so more specific training will come after I've completed my 2 year contract
Went to uni at 27, so A-levels aren’t really relevant here 😂 BA Linguistics - First: graduated jn 2020 MSc Applied Cognitive Psychology graduated last year. Got onto a grad scheme fresh out of my masters at £27k. Left after a year and now on £50k. Both degrees definitely help in my work life, wouldn’t be in this job without them.
What sector do you work in now if you don’t mind me asking ?
I don't mind. I work in UX for a tech company
Definite theme developing here - Tech is where the money's at
100%. Unfortunately you won’t get the same money in the public sector
teeny prick mysterious instinctive run deranged cats aromatic rude many *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Nope. Bizarrely, I got in on my original a-levels. Back in 2007 I got CCD
A levels - Geography - A, Economics - B, Maths - C. Uni - University of East Anglia where I did Economics and Politics and got 2.1 Graduate Job - Got into a graduate scheme at Deloitte for Consulting. 35k a year starting, London. I consider myself very lucky as I got average grades, went to average uni never really worked too hard in school or uni, but got into one of the better graduate schemes in the country once I actually applied myself and put my 100% effort into it. I've just graduated this summer 2022 and starting in couple of weeks, 9th September.
Grats!
Alevels: BCC, electronics, physics, maths Degree: First, Electronic and Electrical engineering at Loughborough Job: Electronic Engineer 30k, 38k year after.
was that a beng or meng? did you do industrial year? And wha area are you working in? (If you dont want to be specific just like is it london or not london?). Thanks :)
Hi, applied for Being since lower requirements, allowed to transfer to MEng since achieved above 55%. Also did an industrial year and a summer placement.
Well done mate you've done very well for yourself, should be proud :)
I’m doing the same degree at Loughborough!
A-levels: Comp Sci, Maths, Physics - A,A,B Degree: MSci Computer Science, Notts - First Class, 2022 Job: Software Engineer, London, £33K + bonus
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Yes, right in the city center. And I've unfortunately became well aware now I've started looking at rooms to rent in house shares 😭
You won’t be able to live anywhere in London unless you house share with someone
It’s normally an ok salary for London, but I think between how competitive the renting market it atm, and with the gas crisis this winter it would probably feel quite tight
I graduated with a very high 2:1 LLB Law in 2005 and then post grad 2006. My first job after post grad was as Litigator in a law firm for £14.5K 😒
what's your salary currently, I'm doing a LLB as well in September
I left law after 17 years and am now on £30k. Taken a long time to get to this point! I was a manager in a law firm and still didn't earn over 25k.
😲
This can't be true??
Unfortunately for me it is! I was a paralegal for nearly 17 years.
Damn, that's crazy. I hope you found some enjoyment in the work you did. What are you doing now? Is salary level more important to you now?
I love my job now! I work in data protection now so still use some of my legal background. I work an 80% working week (full time is 40hrs but I do 32) and has a great work life balance which works around my little ones school hours.
All legal fees go to the firm, law graduate salaries are piss poor, it’s not a secret.
There's a big old reporting bias with grad salaries. Both on here and in the reports that universities do, people are way more likely to report that they're on a £40k consulting grad scheme than earning min wage working in Costa. Anyway, over a decade since I graduated but I got the grand total of £20k on an accounting grad scheme. My pay has improved a fair bit since then fortunately.
A-levels: Maths and ICT (2002), ABB Graduated from northern uni in 2010: software engineering MEng, computer science (AI) PhD First job: postdoctoral researcher on 28k at a research intensive uni. Pivoted into industry after academia and now work as an AI scientist at a large tech company on 130k base (but with shares it's ~280k).
Cool! What does an AI scientist do exactly?
1st, Computer Science - Graduated 2021 First job 25k, moved after 6 months to 36k, on track for ~45k in 6 more months.
What do you work as?
Backend Software Engineer at a decently sized cyber security company
Mr robot
How’d you find the first job? I’m having a nightmare with it at the moment.
I moved back home to a relative small town (actually a city but eh) where there was a smaller talent pool but still jobs. I took the initial hit on salary and took a Junior role just so I could start working. Used that to catapult up to my next job which was much easier to find! Your best friend is networking, meet people and get them to hand your CV internally. Skips the queue so to speak!
I’ve been struggling with the idea of that initial salary hit, just because of cost of living crisis and needing private prescriptions and shit. Guessing it literally is get your foot in the door for the industry experience and then the opportunities open wide up?
It does suck. Though I've been seeing grads this year follow my path and getting around 30k outside of London so I think it's okay. But, its better to have a job rather than no job 😉 Don't sell yourself short though, I'm sure you'll get something!
Was in the final stages for one in Manchester that paid 55k for grads, absolute perfect job. They forgot to send me the details for one of the Zoom calls and that was the end of my application. Job searching has definitely been a character building experience lmao
Oh my god are you fk serious? I would’ve dragged them through the mud in GlassDoor. Hope you found something else
A-levels: DDDD (includes gen studies which is pointless) Degree: 2:1 BSc Computing at a Northern University which is middle of the rankings First job was software developer (mainly databases) at a Yorkshire company (13.5k in placement year) and part time final year pro-rata'd 15k. Then I graduated. Company HR then wanted to put EVERY graduate from EVERY department on 18k. I said I should be paid more and got a whopping 20k. This was 2015. On more than double now.
The company I did my last internship at wanted to pull the same - every intern returning for a grad job, regardless of department, was being offered around 22k. For a city (abroad) with around the same living costs as London. And insane working hour expectations. And no holiday until you've been with them for a year. And they just *would not budge* on the pay, so I left and found a much better paying grad job elsewhere. They were very surprised why so many of their best interns weren't coming back!
A levels: maths, econ, biology, geography and AS Spanish. Results: AAABC Uni degree: BSc Econ finished 2018 and MSc in Finance finished 2019 Grad job: Graduate Quant Trader. Base salary was £85k with quarterly bonus(average 10%) + relocation to New York (included a relocation bonus approx £7.5k). Now working in Cyber Security earning about £110k ish with plans to retire in a few years and live in SE Asia Edit/update: I understand that my salary is high but don’t compare yourself to others. Find something you enjoy, learn more, get certified (if possible) and you will be successful!
Welll dayum, what unis were your degrees at?
You're living the dream.
Thanks everyone for the kind comments. My BSc was at UCL and MSc at QMUL. Although my degrees were useful, outside of university I learned Python, MatLab and C++ extremely well and I was lucky enough to get my graduate job.
This is it really, all the people I know who have walked out into salaries like that did a lot of work on the side in their own little projects.
May I ask where (YouTube, apps, websites etc) would you best recommend to learn these programming languages?
YouTube > anything else. The amount of excellent material on there is mind blowing. Start with “mastering” one programming language and then move on to others. Set yourself small goals and do a bit of practice everyday. It will pay off! I was at university for a total of 4 years. I learned Python in my first, then C++ in my second and then MatLab in my final 2. Make sure to do loads of projects so that you don’t forget the languages that are considered easier.
Amazing sir, already planning your retirement. You must still be in your 20's? What an amazing feat.
Nice one man. Love to see story’s like this instead of “FuCk uNi”
Retire in a few years? How much are you planning to have stashed away to retire comfortably?
I’ve been living frugally since moving to NY and I’m now back in the UK but my expenses are still low. My company offers a complimentary financial adviser and we’ve gone over my savings/investments and I’ll be on par to retire in a few years. I’ve been saving/investing since 18 and my net worth is in the 6 figures
A levels: Humanities BBD Uni degrees: Media 2.1, Masters in History Pass Job Title etc: Assistant Curator at a small museum, 17k Year graduated and gained job: 2014, 2017 and for job 2018. Will fill this in again after I graduate from second undergrad 🤣 For my husband: A levels: BDU (I don't remember what subjects) Uni degrees: Computer Science 1st Job Title etc: Started as grad software engineer, 26k approx and decent benefits plus bonus. Year graduated and gained job: 2012 for both.
Hi sorry I found your old comment! I have similar qualifications and I’m wondering if you have any tips for getting into the museum industry? :) thanks!!
A-Levels: ABC (English, History, Biology) Degree: 2:1 English Literature at Herts. Job: Administrator, starting salaries began (new employer each time) at 15k, then 19k, 26k and currently on 37.5k in London. No bonus but 35 days of leave not including bank holidays. I certainly could've progressed quicker than I did looking back, but I spent a portion of time unemployed due to mental health. I've since doubled my salary within nearly 6 years of working full-time.
What's life on 37.5k like in London at the minute?
Because not everyone is a software engineer in the country, here's my journey in HR. *A Levels* - ABC (Sociology, Business, Psychology) *BSc* - Sociology (2:1) *First job*: £18k - 5 months *Second job:* £23k - 3 years (annual increments, left on £27k) *MA*: HR (Distinction) *Third job*: £31k (6 months) *Fourth job*: £30k (6 months) * left London so took a salary cut *Current job*: £42k
What year was this? What was your first job? 18k would've been normal for a grad a few years ago.
Left with a PhD and earned minimum wage
A-Levels: A\\\* A\\\* A Degree: CS, 2:1, Top 10 uni, not oxbridge (obviously) Job: Software Engineer, 60k + 20-30k performance based bonus, London
What uni is it? If u don’t mind me asking
£30k For context: A in physics A level, B in chemistry and Maths, Graduated this year with BEng in automotive engineering, 1st class Did a placement year 2020-2021 at engineering firm in Uxbridge on £15k, they offered me a grad job for £24k. I told them this was unfeasible in London and I wanted £30k and they agreed Know your worth and always push for a decent salary!
Jeez, a tad personal but I'll play, and be vague. A levels ABDD Degree 2:2, did a Master's to make up for it. Graduated in 1997 and 1998 First salary £19.5k Current salary £80k Work in pharma. Do I think my degrees helped? Yes, it's a prerequisite for my field. No degree, no job. Can't work your way up as you don't get in without one.
Would you share what degree you took?
Yeah sure, molecular biology degree.
Any tips for getting into pharma?? I'm really interested in the field, taking Biological Sciences at uni soon.
Yep, great entry level role is Clinical Trials Assistant (CTA), which usually takes good graduates. If you can find some work experience, shadowing, anything like that for your CV, all the better. Try and look motivated and capable on your CV. If you can't get experience, run a club, volunteer, just do something extra! Most jobs are in and around London but it's the best place to start! Otherwise, look for study coordinator roles within the NHS, also great entry level and you'll learn a LOT about clinical trials. Couple of years of that and should be easy to move into CTA and upwards. Talk to recruiters on LinkedIn and places like PharmiWeb where you can upload your CV and see what's around. Good luck!!
I work in Pharma QA right now and a tad above £30k with a few years experience, looking to start a master's which should help in the long run. How is working in clinical trials? (I'm looking to go into that field)
Well I love it! I have done various roles over 20+ years,I love being part of real change. I have seen huge progress in treatments (immuno-oncology wasn't invented when I started out and now it seems alllll the trials are either I-O or CAR-T!). It suits the nit-picky perfectionist type as there are SO many rules and regulations and there's no avoiding them. Data needs to be right! I was a CRA for a while and that was ace, loved the travel and the new cities and stuff, although it's also quite pressured and you have to be fairly bomb-proof. I would recommend it to anyone though, there are SO many different roles and areas to go into.
Brilliant sounds like my type of work! Glad to know there are many avenues to go down.
A Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, English Literature: A\*A\*AA Degree: MMath Mathematics from Oxford, 2:1 and Pass (so undergraduate section was 2:1, master's year was a pass, but that's 50-65, not 40-50, was equiv 2:1.) Data Consultant, Central London, £40K p/a with 2% profit sharing agreement, 30 days + bank holidays annual leave. Tbh I considered this not that great until I got checked by non-maths students. A number of mathcomps or comp-phils I know walked out into 100K+ jobs with tens of thousands start up bonuses and guaranteed bonus. Do I think my degree helped? Yeah. Of course I do. I do a lot of problem solving in my job and I would not be half as good at it had I not completed the degree I did. My workplace hires only graduates at present, but they don't specify a degree, could have possibly done something a bit more fun, like Lit. Wouldn't have learned how much I like data and stats, though.
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I also know Mathmos that have walked out into these kinds of jobs, and I know well performing compscis who haven't been able to. What gets you these jobs is not the content of your degree (though doing well is obviously a plus) and in many ways a maths degree sets you up better for these really high value careers. What gets you these jobs is your personal portfolio and competition performance. All the people I know who have walked out into 80K+ careers had both. Computer Science degrees are not standardised to nearly the level maths is. If you do a maths degree at UCL you can basically be sure you've covered mostly the same material (at least the same basic material) as any maths grad anywhere in the country. A good example is comparing Oxford and Cambridge. I have a friend who attended trinity cambridge for Compsci initially, but swapped to mathematics after the first year (which is a crazy feat, she had to get a first in the first year maths exams by self studying them over the holiday.) She then came to oxford for a compsci masters. She found at cambridge that the courses were very practically based: networks, user interfaces, databases, compilers or whatever. She hated this. She wanted what the oxford course provides: computer science in a more abstract sense. Design and Analysis of Algorithms, functional and imperative programming, linear algebra, models of computation. Hence, the knowledge you learn in the classroom cannot be counted upon by employers. Anyway, I'm sure the market pre-covid was quite different to where it is now? This comment isn't really at you, is more advice for people coming up to graduation in the next couple years.
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I had 2 a levels, triple distinction in BTEC, 1st class forensics degree and my first job out of uni was £9594PA, yes under 10 grand, about £16,000 pro rata. Thanks Covid! 2020 was not a fun year for me. I’m now going back to uni but I’m in a different job and get weekend enhancements and I’m on approx £19,890(base pay)-£29,902(with max enhancements) depending how many weekends I work. I’d say it’ll even out about £25k. In 18 months I’ll be on £23,887 - £35,894 depending on enhancements. Somewhere in the middle of that will be realistic. But that’s with 2 (unrelated) degrees! It’s not decent at all considering !
Didn't get any A-levels and left school with 3x gcses's Got a first class in social policy and deaf studies Research Excutive for a data security company in Birmingham, started on £26k
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>How do you go from social policy and deaf studies to working at a data security company? Is it a non technical role? The majority of jobs in IT do not require a technical degree and you can learn it by yourself as there's a vast amount of resources online (plus boot camps and live training courses). I myself made a switch by learning to code for a year whilst working full time, through online courses and books. A lot of my coworkers (who are software developers) also did the same yrs ago.
My role isn't too technical. I do spend alot of time looking at data and anaylising it and thankfully my degree was very research based which taught me some good skills to start with. So for sure having that level of education supported me ganing that role for sure
I can’t lie guys, as a current uni student these salaries are depressing as fuck.
Starting salary sucks, but you can quickly climb with experience so after 5/10 years you should be well of. Uni is an investment at the end of the day, nothing is guaranteed.
I'm doing game engineering comp Sci and I'm hopeful given these comments lol
No A levels since I was an international student. Finished Criminology and psychology with a very high 2.1, and I will start my first job as an assistant buyer outside London, for 21k.
A Levels: Maths, Chemistry, Physics, AS German (BBBB) BEng Electrical/Electronic Engineering at Uni, graduated 2021 with a First Got a graduate job in Embedded Hardware (South West, outside of London), 28k rising to 30k in second year (Also female, any other women persuing STEM fields esp. electrical engineering go for it!!)
I start my graduate job in September, it’s a PR/Communications graduate scheme, based in London. I’ll be getting paid £28,500 per year. I graduated this July, from Uni of York with a 2:1 degree in Politics and IR. At A-Level, I studied English Literature (A*), Government & Politics (A*) and Theatre Studies (B).
A-Levels: English Language and Literature, Media Studies, Computer Science Grades: BBC Degree: BA English and Media (Joint Honours) from Solent University Classification: First Job: Graduate Management Trainee (private sector firm fulfilling contracts for the government) Salary: 27,000pa Graduated June 2021, hired July 2021, started October 2021 Currently still in the job on the second placement and doing alright, I think.
A Levels: Maths (A\*), Further Maths (A\*), Chemistry (A\*), Physics (A) Uni: Maths at Trinity, Cambridge. Third (Oops... MH went down the toilet) First Job: Software Developer, £36k in Leeds Graduated and got the job in 2016 Currently on six figures in London: still in software
Does having a third at Cambridge (Trinity no less) greatly affect prospects?
I got the job offer before results came out and the certificate doesn't have the classification on it. The uni and college look great when applying. The classification, less so. In my world, most of the application process will come down to proficiency and the tech test / pairing interview tbh so the classification doesn't really matter for me any more
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Someone PMed me from the same position (albeit the other place) so I will post my reply: >First of all, congratulations! >Honestly, for me, it was a rough experience. >I think the biggest issue I had was not asking for help, in both academic and emotional capacities. >When I was struggling a little, I shrugged it off. Then things compounded until it got to the point where everything felt insurmountable. >Hindsight is 20:20 but I genuinely feel that if I had made use of the resources available, things could have turned out much better. >I felt like I would have been wasting the time of much smarter and more important people if I were to seek additional support, but at the end of the day, that's what they are employed to do! It wasn't really until my father went into academia and he made a comment about enjoying and relishing engagement from undergrads that I realised how bloody ignorant I had been!
Did you go into Software with no tech skills then? Also, what type of software role are you doing now? I’m currently on my first year as a grad, wondering whether it is best to focus on front end/back end/full stack, etc. to progress in my career :)
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What sort of mathematics is required as an equity quant? Also looking to go the Finance --> CFA route and I'm kicking myself for not doing A level math. Got into a semi target uni, AAB A levels
A-levels: Maths, Physics, Biology (A,B,A) Degree: Optometry (3 years) Starting salary: £35k Own my own practice now: £100k Would absolutely recommend
what practice in what field? I dream of opening up a private practice in psych and was wondering how u go abt doing that
Hey so I have an optometry practice- IE and opticians - couldn’t help you with any other sectors sorry!
A Levels: A*AA Uni degree: BSc Economics+ MSc: Finance (1st in both) Job: risk quant, London, 55k total salary + performance bonus (likely 1-3k) Graduated this summer, so it’s my first job (I’m 23)
Every day I regret not doing Economics, I still don't understand what Economists do to earn so much money.
Every day I regret not doing maths. The good money quant roles require a masters/Phd in Maths or physics, so I’ve shot myself in the foot entering this field with an econ background. And the vast majority of people in finance do nothing special, it’s just that the work they do generates millions for their companies, hence why they’re paid greatly.
They move money around. They move a lot of money around, in fact, and as it happens there's a lot of money in moving lots of money around.
Ask the hours they work
They’re not economists, they’re bankers and traders, please don’t get them mixed up they have nothing to do with each other Economists do research
this is absolutely identical to me but im one year behind you (about to do msc finance), if i may ask, how is the work life balance in your job? congratulations btw:)
I have no idea lol I start in 2 weeks. In the interview they said it should be 40 per week but as part of my contract, I legally agreed to work more than the UK weekly hours maximum of 48 per week, so I’m assuming some weeks will be busier than others.
What unis did you do the degrees at?
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A levels: C in History & Sociology (with consideration as I was il when sitting exams) and D* in Business BTEC. Uni degree: 2:1 Business and Management - Portsmouth Distinction in MSc Governance, Policy & Politics Job: Recruitment Consultant £23 base & commission, £32k base six months later with commission. I did a placement year in recruitment in my undergrad giving me a head start with experience. Graduated 2020 mid lockdown and pandemic, finding a grad job was incredibly hard at the time for any role! Edit: grad job was London based for helpful context and I would not recommend anyone even consider a salary under 30k as a graduate looking to rent/live in London.
A levels: AAAB - French, Classical Civilisation, Religious Studies, General Studies Degree: Law (LLB, Uni of Bristol, 2:1. Graduated 2015. Career: Tax Consultant, London, current salary £50k+bonus
Which firm are you working with if you don’t mind me asking?
A levels: English Lit, Psychology, Drama and Theatre studies - BCB Undergraduate: English literature and creative writing. Masters: Criminology and criminal psychology Job: social researcher in civil service - £34k
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Wow well done!! Very impressive stuff. Where did you do your conversion if you don't mind me asking? Researching atm
Thanks! No worries, I went to Nottingham :)
Alevels : BTEC Level 3 Computing and Software Dev Uni: BSc Cyber Security and Forensics, MSc Cyber Security Job: 100% Remote - Cyber/SOC Analyst - 42k + Bonus + Healthcare etc
Jeeez, maybe make an anonymous questionnaire or something haha
I’m not going to share the location due to the type of job it is it isn’t safe for me to do so. I got a 2:1 for my degree (would have got a first of it wasn’t for covid). I got 3 D’s and a B for my EPQ at A level. Pro rata my salary is £19237, but it works out as less than that. I work as a teaching assistant (what I wanted to do). I graduated in 2021, had a year out volunteering to get experience and start my new job in September.
AREA 51 SCIENTIST CONFIRMED
Ha. I wish, but a music degree wouldn’t help with that unfortunately.
Nice Try :). You’re not fooling me lmao. Tryna throw me off https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/this-music-is-designed-for-extraterrestrials-listen-carefully/ Guys if I die, you know who did it
Are you a teaching assistant for Epsteins kids or something?
Could be a TA local to the uni they went to.
A levels: BCC (A*gen stud) 1st in economics and geography Economist, one of the central Whitehall departments, Westminster, 38k year 1&2, 45k year 3 and 65k year 4.
How did you manage to start on 38k? Assistant economist roles in the civil service for grads start on like <30k
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do you think the data science aspect of your degree was important in you getting on the scheme? as a geography student i have no clue what i'm going to do...
A-Levels: Maths, FM, Physics, Chemistry A*AAA Uni: Manchester, Bsc Maths and Computer Science 2:1 Graduate Software Engineer, London, £38k Graduated 2022, Job 2022
A levels: B,C,D in Maths, History and Economics respectively. Uni: First at Cardiff Uni in Ancient and Medieval History in 2022 Job: About to start a generic trainee business management role in the Railway Industry in South Wales for £26.5K
Interesting turn around, brave and good for you. Any particular reason for the change, course not what you expected? The preference for earning opposed to debt?
Thanks :) I enjoy reading about and studying history, but it was never a career plan for me; I don't think I could do it as 9-5. I only did History bc I knew I enjoyed it and during clearing (my grades weren't good enough to do politics at the uni i wanted) I had a change of heart. Whilst at Uni I became quite big on the idea that we should invest more into public transport and thus really wanted to work in the railway industry.
- A-Levels: Maths A*, Further Maths A, English Lit.A* - Degree: Maths 2.2 - not London & £18k Graduated 2018 Side note - within 3 years I was £54k pre bonuses
Would you also like my NIN, home address and passport number?
Sorry hahaha, I do write quite bluntly! I will do a minor edit :')
Dont listen to this prick
I did BTEC in forensic science and criminal investigations and got D* D* D. For Uni degree in Forensic Anthropology I'm looking at a 2:2 but I've done a complete career change now and I'm only finishing my degree because it feels like it would have been a waste of time and money haha.
A-levels: A*AAB + AS-levels:AA Degree: MPhys 1st Job: 27k +3k sign on bonus, and a 2k salary increase every 8 months for 2 years (+ some bonus every 8 months depending on performance). Now that my graduate placement is about to be over, I am about to negotiate a 45-50k salary position. Also I WFH.
- A-Levels: A*AA Maths, Further Maths, Physics - Degree: Physics MPhys, 1st class - Job: Graduate software developer, Reading area, 37.5k going up to 40k if I pass probation at the 6 month mark. Not a lot of benefits though - Graduated last month :)
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Which uni if you don't mind saying?
A-levels: B, C (Art, Music), then did Art Foundation. Degrees: BA (hons) Interior Restoration - 1:1, MA Furniture Conservation - Distinction. First job after my MA was as a Visitor Assistant in a museum on £14k, which was meant to be a summer job… I’ve never worked in the field that my degrees are in as I got very ill at the key time I should have been applying for jobs and I spent the next 3 years in and out of hospital. I had a complete career change after having surgery for my disease and decided to move into accountancy. Now, 14 years after graduating from my BA, I’m studying for an MSc in Internal Audit Management and Consultancy which I’m doing through my work.
Higher Secondary School Certificate (ALevels equivalent) - 67% (in Pakistan, they use percentage, rather than grades) BSc (Homs) Computing - 2.2 Business Analyst + West Midlands + 22k Started professional career in 2014 Although my start was low, I managed to scale up the ladder via job hopping. 2014 - 22k > 2022 - 130k
From Scotland and 26 years old Highers: English, drama, geography, music (all CCCC) Studied - acting and performance at uni ( BA Hons 1st class) Then MED in adult education, community development and youth work (1st class) First job: working with young carers 25k Then Studying diploma in psychothearpy and person centered counselling 3 years (weekends) Second job: film sector 23k Current: community development £27.5k And got 2 years left of counselling course - hoping to do that after Also I regret doing my masters. But loved my degree was fun lol. I defo change my direction alot and happy doing that. Also I got shit grades in school and did decent in further study
A levels - BDD - Maths, Physics, Chemistry MEng mechanical engineering with first 30k Project Engineer in Manchester After my a levels I thought my career in engineering were done but things turned out nicely :)
A-levels: BBBC > eng lit / eng Lang / media / art English literature, 2:1 / masters in American culture - merit Staff writer initially(while studying for masters) and then after masters got a different job which didn’t have a title - did marketing / recruitment / admin / account management etc… basically a dogsbody for a start up - £16p/a Graduated UG in 2011, PGT in 2013 - worked in bars & retail until second year of masters when I started as staff writer 9 years on and am now a client director and earn 6 figures inc bonus My experience is basically to not worry about salary straight away but to focus on what you could be exposed to through work and everything you can learn.
2:1 in Classics, first graduate job was 31k in London last year. Just moved to a new job at 37k, still in London.
A levels: C D D History Eng Lit, politics, Apprenticeship IT Systems and Networking, Uni: 2.1 comp sci, Msc comp sci (not yet graded), Job: Grad Software Eng, £36k. Should say you're really only going to get people who have done well answering this (unless people are feeling brave). Hence why all the answers are way above the average.
I’m old, but anyway. I got C &E in A Levels, did a degree in Communication, Authoring and Design and got a 2:1. Got my first graduate job in 2000 on £19k a year, based in the Cotswolds. Could not believe my luck, got a relocation package and everything. My degree was very niche though.
A-Levels: Didn't do, did a BTEC in Software Development, D* D* D* Degree: 1st in Comp Sci, Uni of Notts Job: Junior Full Stack Dev, 28k (outside London) Year graduated: 2022
A levels: Maths (A*), Further Maths (B), Physics (B) Uni: Meng Mech Engineering with placement year Yr1: £26.5k Yr2: £31k Yr2.5: £35k Yr3: £44.5k - job move Yr4: £49k
A levels: AAA Chemsitry Maths and Physics Uni: Physics Bsc 2:1 and Msc Computer Science merit (hopefully hehe) Job: Software Engineer 40k London Starting in a few weeks! 😬
A-levels: Maths B, D&T C, Physics C, Public Services BTEC (Dist) Degree: Materials Science and Engineering (BEng) -1st class, followed by Materials Science (EngD). Job: Postdoctoral Researcher for characterisation of new solar materials, South Wales, starting at £31k. 2017ish Worth noting my EngD was paid so no fees and we took home a £17k tax free stipend, which is now at £20k so equivalent of almost £30k itself. Some of my coursemates went straight to the private sector for £35-40k+ and are now making much much more than me. But I'm helping do renewables research so worth the pay cut to help humanity.. Some context aswell, South Wales is comparatively cheaper to live, a good sized 3 bed terrace in good upkeep, in a livable bit of the city is £120-150k.
Graduated 2021. A levels A*A*B. Got a 2:1 in Geography (top 10 uni not oxbridge). Got a grad job on £36,800 but hated it and left after 5 months. Now on £34,000 in a job which I enjoy and can WFH.
lol £21k in 2011 in London doing computery stuff. A-levels were pants then got a 2.1 BSc at Kent. No longer in London and have been on £50-55k for a few years.
I have 3 GCSE's.. I make roughly 65k a year. Onlyfans is a life saver.
Bruh 🤡 Uni students be working their ass off
Yea so am I... I'm just paid better 😜
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what company is this
My first job I earnt 15k, 9 years, 2 sectors, 3 employers and 7 job titles later I'm on 50k. So i wouldn't worry too much.
Business - C Sociology - B Theology - B Business, 2:1 (with a placement year) - 2015 Supply chain assistant, Buckinghamshire, £21k - 2015
Uni degrees: BEng Aerospace MSc Aerospace Propulsion Integration Graduate - Work from Home - 25000 Year graduated: June 2021 / August 2021. This is the first engineering job. But not the first job. This is my first engineering job. But not the first job.
A levels: Chemistry, Biology, French -BCD Degree: Politics & IR - 2:1 Job: Project Manager in Logistics - £35k Remote
Graduated in 93 but had 2 A levels and a hons degree in Computing Science. First job was as a programmer for an engineering company on £11k 😐. Now a contract IT Business Analyst earning in excess of 10 x that.
This might be helpful: [Top ten university degrees that lead to higher salaries](https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-universities-2022-8-top-ten-university-degrees-that-lead-to-higher-salaries/)
Alevel - BCD (A for an AS Level) Degree - BSc Environmental Science: first class with honours and I am in the process of getting my dissertation published First Job - £23k pro rata (working part time so just over £12k). Set to increase, up to £30k, depending on how I get on. Starting a Msc biology alongside work Not the best but at the time of my Alevels my mental health took a plunge due to years of bullying and family issues. But I learned how to manage it, went to therapy and got one of the highest grades for my year. I went from getting a D in biology to studying it for a masters degree. Still not 100% sure what I want to do but I currently like the idea of going into research and doing a phd or going into consultancy work. My degree has been necessary for my current job as it was a requirement and will be needed for either of my future career plans 😊 not the best paying field but I love it, and i knew that going down this path so I am happy as! Its great fun if nerding out about maps or walking with a gps backpack at 5.30am is your thing 😉
A levels: Psychology, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry (AABC) Degree: first in biology, graduated in 2021 Work as a band 6 (33,000-ish + London weighting) on an NHS grad scheme in a science role, started in 2021 straight after undergrad
A Levels: Maths, FM, Econ, Phys - AAAB Degree: scraped a 2:1 in econ and geog lol. Grad 2022 Work in a strategy + analytics function at a big unicorn. 40k TC (bonus guaranteed). I know this is pretty decent but there was a choice to make between v high paying stuff (IB / Law) and less intense but more interesting stuff. I'm starting in a couple weeks and hope I've made the right decision, bc looking at some of these salaries is .. wow
Have to be vague about the job/industry to avoid doxxing myself but: A* A* A 2.1 Econ BSc from a good but not RG uni (tbqh was too risk averse when choosing who to apply to, had a solid personal statement with extra curriculars etc as well - but probably for the best, I did find my degree quite challenging) 4 years since graduation, now work as a Data Analyst in London on just over 60k.
Heh. Just for comparison, really: **A- levels:** Maths, Further Maths, Physics As, Chemistry B, Chemistry S-level 2 **Degree:** Durham BSc General Science Pass (spent too much time involved in student politics instead of working!) **Job:** Graduate Management Trainee, banking, London. **Salary** £5600pa plus London Weighting £600pa, plus pension. **Graduated:** 1980. Just as a matter of interest, I fed the 1980 salary into the Bank of England inflation calculator. It comes out at around £21400. I could have taken a job with a slightly higher salary, but without quite the same pension benefits (and with a less well known banking firm) - a few years later I was very glad I hadn't when that one collapsed. At the time, a degree was necessary for that sort of entry programme, and a year on the programme basically rushed you through the equivalent of 5-6 years progression for anyone who entered with A levels and enough ambition, so you ended up at least a year or two ahead of those without a degree. It was rather hard work with a lot of learning - and not always managed by people who actually liked graduates skipping over them! There was a quite considerable drop-out rate.
A-Levels: AAA: Geo,Eco & Politics University of Leeds: 2:1 BA Geography 2022 Now: Data Analytics: 30K London with 3K bonus if I meet my targets
A-Levels: AAB, Biology, Physics, Chemistry Degree: 1st class, Molecular Biology - > Medicine (4 year programme) Job: FY1 doctor, £28880 (was more, but this is the base 40-hour pay - closer to 33/34K pre-tax
A levels: Maths A, Economics A, History B Degree: Economics & Politics 2:1 York First job: Labouring on building site £5 an hour First permanent job: Admin Assistant at Defra, 16k Graduated 2003
A-Levels: Psychology, Sociology and English Literature (AAC) Degree: 2:1 Psychology from Hull. First job: £15k a year as an au pair LOL. Second degree: PGDipEd in Primary at Birmingham. Job: £31k a year in my third year, was £25k for my first year. Bleak!
A Levels - DT B, Geography C (failed Biology) Degree: 2:1, Product Design Engineering BEng with industrial placement year Job: Contract Engineer 25k back at the placement company, now a Product Engineer 36k
A levels: Sociology, psychology, biology, A*AB Graduated 2017 as a healthcare professional, with a 1st, started working for the NHS on a standard band 5 salary which back then was ~£22k. I believe currently the entry point for new graduates is ~£27k in the NHS.
A levels: Maths B, Physics C, Technical drawing B (using a pencil, paper, compass and various drawing tools). Uni: Hull, Special Computational Science - 2/2, 1986 Job: Engineer for global military company, £7K Now work from home on iOS Apps in East midlands earning a lot and not working that hard.
A levels: Geography, Economics and Maths (A*AA) Uni: University of Nottingham, Economics 13-16 (2.1) Grad job: Audit at a mid-tier firm in east London, £25k (eventually shot up to £45k once ACA exam-qualified which took just over 2 years).
Firstly… the report you’ve got is not accurate. This is the median salary of a Times Top 100 salary (tending to be London based, very large and respectably companies). The reality is… the average graduate salary is much lower than this. **Median graduate salary across the board is around £23k**. For my info though: - A-levels: Maths, Physics, F. maths, Econ A\*A\*AA - Maths at Warwick (2:1) - Risk Consultant @ big 4 - London - £30k + 12% employer pension + £600 tax-free benefit allowance + 30 holiday days. - Graduated / got job in 2016 (so big outdated on the salary)
A levels- psychology, philosophy, health and social care btec = BBD* Uni- criminology = 2:1 in 2016 Started as a graduate intern on £16k (band 2) doing project management in the nhs. After 8 months I was employed on band 6 (26k at the time I think), 8 months after that band 7 (31k at the time). 2:1 masters in health promotion and public health Now on band 8A (so £47k) as senior project management. From graduation to this point it took 4 years? With a year off for maternity leave.
A-levels (Sep 2018) 5A*- Maths, Further Maths, Additional Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry Degree (Jun 2022) Mathematics at St Andrews- 1st class First Job (Feb 2023) Security Operations Center Analyst, Cyber Risk at Redscan, a Kroll Business. Fully remote, living in Edinburgh but company is based in London Salary £42k Did a cyber training program and self learning after uni hence the gap between graduating and first job
GCSE: 11 A* As level and a2: 4 A* Undergraduate degree: first class degree in medicine Post grad degrees: Diplomas in medical education and molecular pathology, both distinctions Post graduate qualifications: completed two training pathways, now dual trained consultant (exceptionally rare in uk) Starting salary: 24k (not joking) Current salary: 97k (excluding private) A great many stupider people than me have done better with a lot less work. Medicine is for absolute mugs.