GeraLearn / Degree salary comparison
Media, journalism and communications vs English studies: Graduate Salary Compared
Five years after graduating, UK English studies graduates earn more — a median £28,800 vs £27,700 for Media, journalism and communications. That is £1,100 more (4%). Real DfE LEO figures, 2022-23 tax year.
Quick answer
English studies pays more than Media, journalism and communications: a 5-year median of £28,800 versus £27,700 — a £1,100 (4%) 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 | Media, journalism and communications | English studies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year after graduation | £21,200 | £21,500 |
| Lower quartile (5yr) | £21,900 | £22,600 |
| Median (5yr) | £27,700 | £28,800 |
| Upper quartile (5yr) | £34,300 | £35,800 |
| Rank (of 34 subjects) | #30 | #24 |
| Graduates in cohort | 7,985 | 11,570 |
Ranks are by 5-year median earnings across all 34 DfE CAH level-1 subject groups.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Media, journalism and communications or English studies pay more after graduation?
- English studies pays more. Five years after graduation, UK graduates of English studies earn a median £28,800 versus £27,700 for Media, journalism and communications — a difference of £1,100 (4% more). Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 tax year.
- What do Media, journalism and communications graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Media, journalism and communications graduates earn a median £21,200 one year after graduation and a median £27,700 five years after — with most earning between £21,900 and £34,300 (lower–upper quartile). That is £3,700 (12%) below the all-subject median of £31,400.
- 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.
- 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.