Colchester · England

University of Essex: graduate earnings and subjects

Updated 25 September 2026Official data: DfE LEO provider-level, tax year 2023–24By the CourseToJob editorial team · Editorial policy

Quick answer

Five years after graduating, University of Essex graduates had median earnings of £34,800 (middle half: £27,100–£44,300), compared with £33,700 across all GB higher education institutions. 87.3% were in sustained work or further study. The highest-earning subject area was Computing (£46,500). Source: DfE LEO, 2023–24 tax year.

Earnings by subject Official website

Median pay after 1 year: £26,000
Median pay after 5 years: £34,800
In work or study after 5 years: 87.3%
Graduates in 5-year cohort: 2,015
Subject areas with data: 23
CourseToJob subject guides: 27

What do University of Essex graduates earn by subject?

Official data

Computing graduates had the highest five-year median at University of Essex (£46,500) among subject areas with at least 20 graduates measured. The final column shows the same subject across all GB higher education institutions, for context.

Median earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates of The University of Essex by CAH level 2 subject area, tax year 2023–24. Source: DfE LEO provider-level data. Unadjusted for entry grades or where graduates work; 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
Computing110 graduates at 5 years	£32,600	£42,800	£46,500	91%	£39,900
Nursing and midwifery120 graduates at 5 years	£33,700	£39,500	£41,700	90%	£37,300
Economics190 graduates at 5 years	£27,100	£32,000	£40,300	87.4%	£50,900
Politics85 graduates at 5 years	£26,400	£30,400	£38,800	86.1%	£36,600
Allied health85 graduates at 5 years	£28,900	£34,000	£38,400	90.1%	£35,200
Health and social care20 graduates at 5 years	£29,600	£35,500	£37,300	94.7%	£30,700
Business and managementGuides: Accounting and Finance, Business Management, Marketing285 graduates at 5 years	£24,500	£30,000	£37,300	83.4%	£35,100
Mathematical sciences30 graduates at 5 years	£30,700	£34,400	£35,100	90%	£43,600
Law145 graduates at 5 years	£24,200	£29,300	£34,400	85.9%	£33,700
Sport and exercise sciences90 graduates at 5 years	£22,300	£27,300	£33,700	87.9%	£30,400
History and archaeology85 graduates at 5 years	£22,700	£27,800	£33,300	87.4%	£32,600
English studies105 graduates at 5 years	£21,200	£26,700	£32,900	84.6%	£30,400
Biosciences80 graduates at 5 years	£25,600	£29,600	£32,600	90.2%	£32,900
Languages and area studies40 graduates at 5 years	£24,500	£25,600	£32,200	80.6%	£35,100
Philosophy and religious studies50 graduates at 5 years	£22,700	£26,400	£31,800	76.6%	£33,300
Sociology, social policy and anthropology100 graduates at 5 years	£24,500	£28,900	£31,500	84.2%	£30,000
Psychology190 graduates at 5 years	£24,900	£27,800	£30,400	89.6%	£29,600
Creative arts and design20 graduates at 5 years	—	—	£23,800	86.4%	£27,100
Performing arts160 graduates at 5 years	£15,700	£22,500	£22,700	92.7%	£26,000
Combined and general studies	£28,900	£32,200	—	—	£30,700
Medical sciences	£28,500	£31,100	—	—	£40,300
EngineeringGuides: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering5 graduates at 5 years	£27,800	£35,100	—	—	£43,600
Media, journalism and communications10 graduates at 5 years	—	£25,300	—	—	£28,500
All subjects at University of Essex	£26,000	£30,400	£34,800	87.3%	£33,700

A dash means DfE did not publish a figure, usually because the cohort was small. Each column is a different graduating cohort. Compare subjects nationally.

What should you check before applying to University of Essex?

Use the official course page for University of Essex to confirm the award, campus, start date, duration, modules, placement options and professional accreditation.

Ask admissions how your qualifications meet the exact course requirements.
Confirm the fee for your intake, deposit, refund terms and scholarship eligibility.
Ask about accommodation, accessibility support, open days and international arrival support in Colchester.

Use the university comparison checklist

Research exact university programmes

We have not added verified programme records for this university yet. Use the official university catalogue for current courses, fees and entry requirements.

Explore the programme finder · Compare programme details · Research international scholarships

Make your next move

Planning to study at University of Essex?

Check the exact programme, entry requirements and total cost before applying. International applicants should also confirm qualification equivalence, English-language evidence and visa requirements.

Entry requirements & applicationsQualifications, English tests, documents and deadlines.International tuition & scholarshipsPlan fees, accommodation and funding.Student visas & work after studyUnderstand the next steps and find official guidance.

Find UK study guidance for your country · Compare international course-fee examples

Explore the international student guide · Build your study budget and checklist

Visit University of Essex’s official website

Subject guides linked to University of Essex

27 on this site

Editorial provision index

These links are not an official UCAS, HESA or university catalogue. Course names, campuses and availability change, so confirm on UCAS before you apply. CourseToJob is not UCAS.

How do you apply to University of Essex?

Undergraduate applications are made on UCAS, not here. Search this university, or a subject together with the university name.

University of Essex on UCAS

University of Essex: frequently asked questions

How much do University of Essex graduates earn?

DfE LEO data for the 2023–24 tax year shows median earnings for UK-domiciled first-degree graduates of University of Essex of £26,000 one year after graduating, £30,400 after three years and £34,800 after five years. Each figure is a different graduating cohort, and pay varies widely by subject.

Which University of Essex subjects have the highest graduate earnings?

Five years after graduating, the highest median earnings at University of Essex were in Computing (£46,500), Nursing and midwifery (£41,700) and Economics (£40,300), among subject areas with at least 20 graduates measured.

Is University of Essex good for graduate employment?

87.3% of University of Essex 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 University of Essex?

Undergraduate applications to UK universities, including University of Essex, 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.