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Aston University graduates among highest paid in the country, new data reveals

Jul 16, 2021

2 min

"We continue to regularly meet with industry to ensure that the content of our courses meets the needs of the labour market, which is reflected in these findings."
Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Engagement



  • Median earnings of employed Aston University graduates are £33,400 five years after graduation - the 20th largest in the UK


  • Range of subject disciplines offered at Aston University have high median salaries


  • Graduates from allied health subjects had the 5th largest median salary five years after graduation at £37,200.


Graduates of Aston University are among the highest paid in the country five years after graduating, according to new data released by the Department for Education.


The 2021 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the 20th largest median salary overall five years after graduation at £33,400, compared with £24,900 sector average


Subject level data in the LEO reveals that graduates from allied health subjects at Aston University had the fifth-largest median salary five years after graduation at £37,200, which is over £11,000 more than the sector average.


It’s also good news for sociology and social policy graduates, with the median earnings in those subjects at £32,500 five years after graduation, the fourth largest in the country.


Graduates from the materials and technology courses at Aston University earn a median salary of £42,000 five years after graduation which reflects the performance of the University’s logistics graduates.


Speaking on the LEO data, Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Engagement at Aston University, said:


“We are delighted to see this recognition that our graduates are highly employable and go on to secure fulfilling and well-paid jobs once they have graduated.


“It is fantastic to see the University appearing in the top 20 when it comes to median salaries five years after graduating, with an increase of £200 compared to last year’s results.


“This is the 5th year of LEO and Aston University has always fared well and is among the top 20 largest median salaries five years after graduation for the 2nd year in a row.


“We continue to regularly meet with industry to ensure that the content of our courses meets the needs of the labour market, which is reflected in these findings. It once again shows Aston University offers great value for money when it comes to employability.


“We also work hard to ensure that students have a positive learning experience when they study with us and I am confident that the quality of this experience contributes to the great longer-term employment outcomes for Aston University graduates as measured by LEO.”


The LEO analysis also shows that the University’s new graduates quickly earn good incomes with a median salary of £23,000 one year after the end of their courses, which is £4,400 higher than the sector average of £18,600.

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Regular seminars, fresh research, and close ties to industry keep the curriculum evolving and relevant, so students graduate ready to lead, adapt, and thrive in any business environment. Why does it matter? In a volatile, fast-paced economy, employers appreciate agility, teamwork and decisiveness. At Aston, every simulation and competition is geared towards sharpening these skills. Graduates emerge not only knowledgeable, but prepared for the job market. Engagement Our students have been embracing these opportunities. Six MBA/Msc teams developed their A4S videos, hoping to reach the final in Canada early in 2025, and three teams out of nine reached the national UBC finals. Additionally, the BISSEM simulation has just finished inspiring another group of MBA students (particularly as the prize for the winning team was tickets to a game at our local Aston Villa premiership football (soccer) club, currently riding high in the league!). Typical feedback from non-Finance specialists is that they suddenly surprised themselves during their participation in the simulation and were reconsidering the options of taking a career in Finance. It seems that our original purposes have been met – increased confidence, passion, deep learning and engagement have been achieved. To interivew Professor Higson, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk Elliott, C., Guest, J. and Vettraino, E. (editors) (2021), Games, Simulations and Playful Learning in Business Education, Edward Elgar. Kirillov, A. V., Vinichenko, M. V., Melnichuk, A. V., Melnichuk, Y. A., and Vinogradova, M. V. (2016), ‘Improvement in the Learning Environment through Gamification of the Educational Process’, International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 11(7), pp. 2071-2085. Olczak, M, Guest, J. and Riegler, R. (2022), ‘The Use of Robotic Players in Online Games’, in Conference Proceedings, Chartered Association of Business Schools, LTSE Conference, Belfast, 24 May 2022, p. 79-81. Wiggins, B. E. (2016), ‘An Overview and Study on the Use of Games, Simulations, and Gamification in Higher Education’, International Journal of Game-Based Learning (IJGBL), 6(1), 18-29. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2016010102

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2 min

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