These six careers pay better than grad jobs in the UK, but you don’t need a uni degree

Uni in the UK isn’t exactly cheap. Now tuition fees are rising for UK universities, it’s not exactly a shock that many students are wondering if going to uni is really worth the effort. There are actually loads of careers where young people get the same pay as people with grad jobs, if not more.

Fred Harrington, a financial expert from a trading insights and career guidance platform called Vetted Prop Firms, has suggested six high-paying careers paths that can pay better than grad jobs in the UK, but you don’t need a degree for. Um, I guess this is what we should have planned to do with our lives instead.

Cybersecurity analyst

Apparently cybersecurity professionals are super in demand. Plus, you usually earn between £30,000 and £49,000. Lots of jobs in this area don’t require you to have a degree, but look for people who have a background in IT support, and have industry certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Software developer

You can learn to code pretty much anywhere

Apparently software developers earn an average salary of £50,000 in the UK. Yes, you can do a computer science degree and then go into this field. But it’s also achievable to land a job in this area if you learn Python, JavaScript, and React on a “bootcamp” coding course, then build up an impressive portfolio.

Supply chain analyst

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Vetted Prop Firms say there are lots of jobs in this area, now everyone does their shopping online. UK supply chain analysts usually get a base pay of between £29,000 and £42,000. Entry level roles often only require decent Excel skills and basic data analysis skills. You can advance your career if you get certifications like CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management).

Wind turbine technician

#womeninstem

People with these jobs in the UK typically earn between £29,000 and £43,000. But you don’t need a degree. Lots of workers compete the required technical training and safety certifications through apprenticeships or specialised courses that take between six months and two years.

Electrician

UK electricians make an average of £34,000 a year, plus they often get to be their own bosses. Most people become electricians by completing an apprenticeship, or by getting a Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation.

Data analyst

You can work as a data analyst in lots of different fields. Data analysts mostly earn between £28,000 and £43,000. Young people can get going with this career path by taking courses in SQL, Python, or R, then building up a portfolio of projects.

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