There is, of course, no right or wrong way to choose a university degree. However, it can be beneficial to know how saturated the job market is in your chosen field before you enter it, and what kind of starting salary you can expect to go on to at the end of your studies.
Jonathan Merry, CEO of moneytransfers.com, said “With many students reaching upwards of £45,000 of student debt upon graduation, it’s wise to at least give some thought to your likely income once you’ve finished your studies.
"Notably, the lowest paying degrees listed below are also amongst the most competitive fields to find employment in. Students considering their options for higher education may be best served to be tactical in their degree choice considering our current economic climate.”
Here are the top five best and top five worst paying industries based on starting salary ...
5. Chemical Engineering
Fifth on the list is Chemical Engineering, bringing in an average starting salary of £30,000. As is typical of many of these degrees, time and experience can quickly see this income rise – the average salary for someone with a career in general engineering is £50,000, with the highest salaries exceeding £150,000. Photo: ake1150 - stock.adobe.com
6. LOWEST PAID - Optometry
Perhaps surprisingly, despite medical-related degrees being in the top three spots for highest paid professions, Optometry, Ophthalmics, & Orthoptics – a branch of medicine that looks after the eyes – has the lowest overall starting salary, at just £17,000. Despite the low entry-level salary, Orthoptists can quickly rise through the ranks. A typical high-street optician can earn up to £72,500, with private practices likely earning much more. Photo: InsideCreativeHouse - stock.adob
7. Acting
The starting salary for an acting position is amongst the lowest, at around £20,000. Of course, even landing a yearly salary as an actor can be tricky when first starting out, with many graduates picking up projects here and there supplemented with another form of income. For those few that are successful enough to achieve their dream of becoming a legitimate actor, the earning potential is uncapped. Tom Hardy, a graduate from the Drama Centre London, has an estimated net worth of $20 million. Photo: WavebreakmediaMicro - stock.adob
8. Ecology
Ecology is the study of living organisms and their ecosystems. Those who graduate from this field often go on to work in conservation, research, and for environmental groups/NGOs. As such, the starting salary for this type of work is fairly low, between £18,000 – £20,000. Many people go into this field out of a passion for the work itself rather than seeking a high income, but those with lots of experience in the field can expect to earn around £40,000. Photo: Chudakov - stock.adobe.com