Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduates earning £3,600 more than the sector average five years into their career, analysis shows
Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduates are earning £3,600 more than the sector average five years after completing their studies, according to analysis of graduate earnings information from the Department for Education.
It comes as HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) has also released new data showing that Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduates are holding their own in the job market, as 76.2% of Leicester’s 2023 graduates have positive outcomes 15 months after completing studies, with more than 77% of them securing highly skilled roles.
It also shows that outcomes for graduates with a Leicester degree have improved across the board, and particularly for graduates from a minority ethnic background.
The value of a Â鶹ÊÓƵ degree is further highlighted by (LEO) data released by the Department for Education (DfE) recently that shows that the salary for a Leicester graduate is £3,600 more than the sector average, five years into their career.
Computing graduates from Leicester are faring best, achieving salaries on average £16,400 more than the median. Also achieving higher than average salaries are Leicester graduates in Biosciences (£6,200 more), Business and Management (£5,500 more), Mathematical Sciences (£4,700 more) and Law (£4,400).
HESA works with UK universities and colleges to enable all graduates to make their voices heard, using the to share perspectives. Through data collection and analysis expertise, they reveal the bigger picture of the career paths and opportunities taken by recent graduates, to drive innovation in higher education. The data demonstrates that a Â鶹ÊÓƵ degree is providing a solid foundation for employers filling their high skilled positions.
What’s more, Leicester graduates from a minority ethnic background saw a 3.2% improvement in outcomes compared to previous years, reflecting how work helping students gain significant experience before they graduate and the University’s are making a difference. Across the board, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ has seen improvements in outcomes for its graduates, against the backdrop of an extremely challenging job market and an overall decline for the sector.
Imogene Wheeler, who graduated with a BSc Psychology with a Year in Industry in 2023 and now works in HR, said: "The best part about studying at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ is the incredible combination of world-leading research and outstanding support. I’ll never forget the experience of seeing brain scans taken by my own lecturer—knowing they were a leading researcher in the field was truly inspiring. At the same time, the wide range of support and opportunities made a huge difference to my journey. I graduated with a BSc Psychology with a Year in Industry (2023), and it was the encouragement and guidance from across the University that made that possible and led to my success today."
Jo Wheldon, Director of Careers and Employability at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "In a fiercely competitive job market, Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduates are holding their own. With over 76% stepping into high-skilled roles and out-earning the national average, it’s clear that the experiences we offer at Leicester make a difference. Our continued drive to embed real-world opportunities into every step of the Leicester journey means we’re not just teaching—we’re giving our graduates the edge to launch their careers."