GeraLearn / Degree salary comparison
English studies vs History and archaeology: Graduate Salary Compared
Five years after graduating, UK History and archaeology graduates earn more — a median £31,000 vs £28,800 for English studies. That is £2,200 more (8%). Real DfE LEO figures, 2022-23 tax year.
Quick answer
History and archaeology pays more than English studies: a 5-year median of £31,000 versus £28,800 — a £2,200 (8%) gap. Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes).
Earnings compared, side by side
Median gross annual earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates, 2022-23 tax year.
| Measure | English studies | History and archaeology |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year after graduation | £21,500 | £22,600 |
| Lower quartile (5yr) | £22,600 | £24,500 |
| Median (5yr) | £28,800 | £31,000 |
| Upper quartile (5yr) | £35,800 | £40,500 |
| Rank (of 34 subjects) | #24 | #21 |
| Graduates in cohort | 11,570 | 11,225 |
Ranks are by 5-year median earnings across all 34 DfE CAH level-1 subject groups.
Frequently asked questions
- Does English studies or History and archaeology pay more after graduation?
- History and archaeology pays more. Five years after graduation, UK graduates of History and archaeology earn a median £31,000 versus £28,800 for English studies — a difference of £2,200 (8% more). Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 tax year.
- What do English studies graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- English studies graduates earn a median £21,500 one year after graduation and a median £28,800 five years after — with most earning between £22,600 and £35,800 (lower–upper quartile). That is £2,600 (8%) below the all-subject median of £31,400.
- What do History and archaeology graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- History and archaeology graduates earn a median £22,600 one year after graduation and a median £31,000 five years after — with most earning between £24,500 and £40,500 (lower–upper quartile). That is £400 (1%) below the all-subject median of £31,400.
- Where do these graduate-salary figures come from?
- From the Department for Education's LEO (Longitudinal Education Outcomes) release, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes). They are median gross annual earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates in sustained employment, measured in the 2022-23 tax year, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians — half of graduates earned less and half more; subject choice does not guarantee any individual salary.
Related comparisons
Data: DfE LEO Graduate Outcomes, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes). Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for graduates in sustained employment and do not guarantee individual earnings. A Gera Systems product.