Architecture at Anglia Ruskin University

Among architecture, building and planning courses offered by UK institutions, none match Anglia Ruskin University for graduate earnings. 

Not a member of the Russell Group, it was named University of the Year 2023 by Times Higher Education. Its Chelmsford-based Architecture BA requires the equivalent of a BBC at A-level. After five years, its graduates are paid an average of £49,300.

The University of Cambridge’s Architecture (BA) – which has entry requirements of A*AA – promises a relatively lean £36,900.

A spokesman for Anglia Ruskin said their graduates were “taught to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life situations and are therefore highly valued”. 

They added: “Salaries available in the surveying and construction management sectors are particularly high as there is significant demand for these roles in London and the South East, and across the East of England.”

Engineering at The Open University

By design, the majority of The Open University’s degrees are accessible to those without formal academic qualifications.

To apply for its Bachelor of Engineering course, only “some knowledge of mathematics, an interest in technology” and basic English skills are needed.

Telegraph analysis of the DfE’s data show its graduates went on to make £47,100 a year within five years, second only to Cambridge (£50,000), level with UCL and ahead of the Oxford cohort on £46,700.