A new Scottish Government report has revealed significant differences in graduate earnings depending on the degree studied, with medicine and dentistry graduates earning far more than those from other disciplines. The figures, published as thousands of new students prepare to start university, highlight the financial trade-offs behind subject choice, particularly relevant given that most students take on substantial debt during their studies.

The Longitudinal Education Outcomes report tracked the average salaries in 2023/24 of graduates from Scottish universities five years after leaving. Medicine and dentistry graduates topped the table on £60,800 a year, followed by economics (£49,800) and mathematical sciences (£45,000), while performing arts graduates earned least at £25,400. The data also exposed a persistent gender pay gap, with men out-earning women in most subjects, including a £5,200 gap in pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy; women earned more in only five subjects. A record 17,920 young Scots have been accepted onto university or college courses this year, and while Scottish students do not pay tuition fees, many rely on maintenance loans and can graduate more than £15,000 in debt, prompting the National Union of Students Scotland to call for non-repayable bursaries.