# Open University: graduate earnings and subjects

> Source: https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/open-university/ — updated 2026-09-25. Published by CourseToJob (independent; not affiliated with UCAS, HESA or GOV.UK).

**Quick answer:** Five years after graduating, Open University graduates had median earnings of £31,800 (middle half: £21,400–£45,000), compared with £33,700 across all GB higher education institutions. 83.9% were in sustained work or further study. The highest-earning subject area was Engineering (£52,300). Source: DfE LEO, 2023–24 tax year.

Location: Milton Keynes, England. UKPRN 10007773. Official website: http://www.open.ac.uk

## What do Open University graduates earn by subject?

Median earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates by CAH level 2 subject area, tax year 2023–24. Source: DfE LEO provider-level data (https://department-for-education.shinyapps.io/leo-provider-dashboard/). Unadjusted; not a ranking of teaching quality.

| Subject area | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years | In work or study, 5 yrs | All GB HEIs, 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | £46,800 | £51,200 | £52,300 | 89.6% | £43,600 |
| Economics | £35,500 | Not published | £48,700 | 85.2% | £50,900 |
| Computing | £37,300 | £42,800 | £46,500 | 85.3% | £39,900 |
| Materials and technology | Not published | Not published | £44,300 | 83.3% | £33,700 |
| Business and management | £35,900 | £39,300 | £39,500 | 85.2% | £35,100 |
| Mathematical sciences | £29,300 | £31,700 | £38,800 | 82.6% | £43,600 |
| Health and social care | £26,400 | £38,400 | £38,100 | 89.8% | £30,700 |
| Politics | £29,300 | Not published | £37,000 | 79.4% | £36,600 |
| Nursing and midwifery | £31,800 | £35,900 | £35,500 | 94.6% | £37,300 |
| General, applied and forensic sciences | £29,300 | £34,800 | £34,800 | 83.7% | £30,000 |
| Biosciences | £27,400 | £35,000 | £34,400 | 85% | £32,900 |
| Allied health | £26,900 | £29,300 | £34,000 | 84.5% | £35,200 |
| Law | £26,400 | £25,300 | £34,000 | 80.3% | £33,700 |
| Creative arts and design | £32,500 | Not published | £32,900 | 80.6% | £27,100 |
| Sport and exercise sciences | £25,600 | Not published | £32,900 | 85% | £30,400 |
| Geography, earth and environmental studies | £27,100 | £30,000 | £32,100 | 84.9% | £35,100 |
| Philosophy and religious studies | £26,700 | Not published | £30,400 | 85.9% | £33,300 |
| Combined and general studies | £25,600 | £33,800 | £29,300 | 81.6% | £30,700 |
| Sociology, social policy and anthropology | £24,500 | Not published | £29,300 | 82.9% | £30,000 |
| Psychology | £24,500 | £22,700 | £27,800 | 84.3% | £29,600 |
| English studies | £23,400 | Not published | £27,800 | 81.6% | £30,400 |
| Education and teaching | £21,200 | Not published | £26,700 | 90.4% | £29,600 |
| History and archaeology | £25,300 | Not published | £26,400 | 84.8% | £32,600 |
| Languages and area studies | £20,900 | Not published | £24,500 | 81.5% | £35,100 |
| Physics and astronomy | £31,900 | Not published | Not published | 79.3% | £42,800 |
| All subjects at Open University | £27,100 | £37,300 | £31,800 | 83.9% | £33,700 |

## Frequently asked questions

### How much do Open University graduates earn?

DfE LEO data for the 2023–24 tax year shows median earnings for UK-domiciled first-degree graduates of Open University of £27,100 one year after graduating, £37,300 after three years and £31,800 after five years. Each figure is a different graduating cohort, and pay varies widely by subject.

### Which Open University subjects have the highest graduate earnings?

Five years after graduating, the highest median earnings at Open University were in Engineering (£52,300), Economics (£48,700) and Computing (£46,500), among subject areas with at least 20 graduates measured.

### Is Open University good for graduate employment?

83.9% of Open University first-degree graduates were in sustained employment, further study or both five years after graduating, against 88.7% across all GB higher education institutions. Outcomes reflect subject mix, entry grades and where graduates live as well as the university, so compare the specific subject you want to study.

### How do I apply to Open University?

Undergraduate applications to UK universities, including Open University, are usually made through UCAS. Check the exact course, entry requirements, fees and deadlines on the university's official course page before applying. CourseToJob does not handle applications.


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