The Cost of a University Degree in the UK in 2025 - Is It Still Worth It?

Rosa Matthews
Apr 16
3 min read

Let’s be honest—uni isn’t cheap. And with fees nudging up again and the cost of living squeezing students more than ever, it’s fair to ask: is a degree in 2025 still worth the money?

Tuition Fees Are Climbing Again

For the first time in nearly a decade, tuition fees in England and Wales are increasing. From the 2025/26 academic year, the maximum fee is set at £9,535 a year. Scottish students studying at home still don’t pay tuition fees.

Not every uni charges the same, though. If a university holds both a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award and an Access and Participation Plan (APP), it can charge the full amount. Others may charge less.

Postgrad fees are even more varied. Brighton’s taught master’s courses start around £9,250, but if you’re an international student doing research at Hull, you could be looking at upwards of £20,000.

Living Costs: The Hidden Challenge

Getting a degree doesn’t just mean tuition fees—it’s also rent, food, travel, and, let’s face it, the occasional coffee to survive a deadline. Average monthly costs break down like this:

London: around £1,734
Manchester: about £1,243
Edinburgh: anywhere from £920 to £2,257
Birmingham: roughly £900–£1,500

Rent alone can eat up most of your budget. Across the UK, average student digs cost about £166 per week. In London, it’s closer to £212. Manchester is a bit friendlier, with some rooms starting at £113.

Graduate Pay: What’s the Payback?

So what’s the return on all this spending? The average graduate starting salary in 2025 is around £28,000—or £30,000 if you’re in London.

But if you manage to get into a top-paying sector, you could earn quite a bit more. Some reports say investment banks and consultancy firms are starting grads off at around £47,500. A few graduate schemes at Rothschild & Co hit £65,000.

Your degree subject also matters—by quite a lot. Here are some examples of average starting salaries:

Medicine and Dentistry: £34,950
Engineering and Tech: £30,998
Maths: £30,450
Computing: £29,933
Creative Arts: £24,000

And over time? Some analyses suggest men with degrees earn about £130,000 more across their careers, while women earn about £100,000 more than non-grads.

What’s the Job Market Looking Like?

It’s still competitive out there, but not all bad. Around 83% of grads were working or in unpaid roles 15 months after finishing, and 79% were in jobs that required higher-level skills. Graduate unemployment sits at just 5%.

While job listings dipped early in the year, advertised salaries have gone up—especially in areas like tech, finance, health, and engineering.

Is an Apprenticeship a Better Bet?

Not everyone’s sold on the idea of going to uni—and that’s fair. Apprenticeships have become a strong alternative, especially as student debt keeps growing. From April 2025, apprentice wages will rise to £7.55 an hour, and if you’re under 25, training costs are usually covered.

Some research shows that degree apprenticeships can lead to earnings that match (or beat) those from less prestigious unis, particularly in industries like engineering and healthcare.

Tips to Make Uni (or Not-Uni) Worth It

Budget first: The UCAS calculator can help you figure out what you’ll actually need to spend.
Pick your course smartly: Different subjects offer different earning potential.
Reputation matters: Graduates from Russell Group unis often land better-paid jobs.
Don’t miss out on help: Maintenance loans are going up by 3.1% for 2025.
Think about where you live: Housing outside city centres can save you loads.
Start building experience early: Internships and work experience boost employability.
Work on your soft skills: Employers value teamwork and communication just as much as academic results.
Stay open-minded: Apprenticeship routes might be better suited to your goals.

Final Thoughts

Uni isn’t the right move for everyone—and it’s a big financial ask. But if you choose your subject carefully, think about long-term prospects, and explore all your funding options, it can still be a solid investment. Just make sure whatever route you take—degree or apprenticeship—it works for you.