Pursuing a social science degree in the UK offers broad career options and competitive earnings, though outcomes vary significantly by subject, institution, gender, and geography. This article explores these earning prospects, drawing on empirical evidence from official data, peer‑reviewed studies, and recognised sector reports.
Social sciences encompass disciplines focused on human societies, economies, organisations, and cultures, including subjects such as politics, economics, sociology, geography, business studies, law, psychology, architecture, education, and finance (Campaign for Social Science, 2021, p. 3).
Overview of Employment Outcomes
Data from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) indicate that approximately two thirds of social science graduates in 2015/16 secured full‑time jobs one year post‑graduation (66 %)—a rate on par with STEM (70 %) and arts/humanities (66 %). Including those engaged in further study, nearly 90 % of social science graduates were employed or continuing education within a year (Campaign for Social Science, 2021, pp. 3–7).
Sectors that commonly employ social science graduates include education, professional services, finance, retail, health and social work, and public administration—each attracting around 10 % of graduates (Campaign for Social Science, 2021, p. 11).
Starting Salaries: A Practical Insight
The Institute of Student Employers (ISE) reports an average graduate starting salary of £35,170. However, HESA’s 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes survey indicates a lower median of £28,731 fifteen months after graduation—reflecting differences in cohort composition (Prospects Luminate, 2024).
Social science graduates in psychology, sociology, and social policy average roughly £25,000 at 15 months, just above UK minimum wage levels (Complete University Guide, 2024)⁽³⁾. These figures highlight subject-specific disparities within the field.
Subject and Institutional Effects
Research by the Sutton Trust shows pronounced variations between institutions: Oxbridge graduates tend to earn around £7,500 more three and a half years into their careers than peers from newer universities (Sutton Trust, 2017).
The Sunday Times cited HESA data for the 2021/22 cohort, showing social sciences, arts and humanities graduates earned below the national 15‑month median (£29,120), in contrast to subjects like dentistry and veterinary medicine (£42,000–£35,000). Law and economics outcomes varied by university, underscoring the influence of institution and discipline (Times, 2024).
Long‑Term Earnings and Graduate Premium
Multiple studies support a long-term “graduate premium” with social science qualifications providing significant lifetime returns.
According to research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Department for Education, graduates aged 31 earn roughly one-third more than non-graduates of similar academic ability, across industries (Universities UK, 2024).
IFS data, using cohort models, show that lifetime net earnings are positive for most subject groups, though economics and quantitative disciplines yield consistently higher returns than social care and creative arts (IFS/BIS, 2019).
The Role of Work Experience
Unpaid or paid placements are crucial. Aston University’s findings show professional placements raise starting salaries by approximately £1,686 after controlling for self-selection bias (Aston University, 2022). More recent studies confirm that paid internships and career-related work experience yield greater earnings returns compared to casual work, with gendered variations (Luchinskaya & Tzanakou, 2025).
Regional and Gender Disparities
Regional differences are significant. In the West Midlands’ accommodation sector and East of England’s financial services, graduates earn nearly twice as much as non-graduates; graduates aged 31 out-earn non-graduates by 32–37 %, irrespective of region (Universities UK, 2024).
Gender pay disparities are noteworthy: recent data show female earners face an 8.3 % overall pay gap in the UK; for degree-holders, female graduates retain a margin below male peers (ONS, 2022). The 1999 cohort study reported women earning 15–22 % less than men three to four years post-graduation, depending on the cohort (Warwick Analytics, 2003).
Economic Context and Graduate Market
The UK graduate job market has endured fluctuations. Since the 2021–22 period, vacancies have fallen, partly due to automation and hiring reductions in embedded sectors (Times, 2025). Yet, social science roles in public policy and education grew 48–49 %, with some graduate positions offering high pay, up to £200,000—though these tend to be outliers (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025).
Implications for Graduates
1.0 Subject choice matters. Quantitative disciplines, such as economics, finance, and law, tend to yield higher earnings than other social science programmes.
2.0 Institutional prestige counts. Graduates from high-ranking universities generally enjoy better salary outcomes.
3.0 Experience enhances earnings. Internships and placements offer measurable salary premiums and are increasingly valued by employers.
4.0 Policy & geography shape opportunity. Graduates in high-demand regions or growth sectors fare better, although residual gender pay gaps persist.
5.0 Debt management is essential. With average student debt at £43,700, earning potential must be weighed against long-term obligations (The Scottish Sun, 2025).
Social science degrees in the UK offer solid employment prospects and a meaningful graduate premium. However, earnings vary by subject, institution, experience, geography, and gender. To maximise economic returns, students should select market-responsive disciplines, participate in paid placements, and target reputable universities. Institutions and policymakers should ensure equitable access to high-quality experiential learning, address regional and gender disparities, and provide transparent data to inform student decision-making.
References
Campaign for Social Science (2021) Positive Prospects – Careers for Social Science Graduates, ACSS.
Prospects Luminate (2024) Graduate salaries in the UK.
The Complete University Guide (2024) What do graduates do and earn?.
Sutton Trust (2017) Earning by Degrees – The Sutton Trust.
Times (2024) ‘UK graduate salaries ranked by university and course’, The Times.
Universities UK (2024) New analysis reveals graduates in every region earn at least a third more.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2019) The Impact of University Degrees on the Lifecycle of Earnings.
Aston University (2022) The impact of work placements on graduate earnings.
Luchinskaya, D. & Tzanakou, C. (2025) ‘Under (employability and financial) pressure: the unequal effects of work experience on graduate earnings’, Studies in Higher Education.
ONS (2022) ‘Gender Pay Gap in the UK’.
Warwick Analytics (2003) A study of the early labour market experience of recent graduates.
The Times (2025) ‘A thousand applications to get a job: the graduate grind’.
Indeed Hiring Lab (2025) ‘Graduate jobs hit an eight‑year low – but these sectors that ARE hiring and pay up to £200k a year’.
