Graduate Outcomes 2022/23: What international students should know before choosing a UK degree
If you're planning to study in the UK, one of the most important things to consider is what life will look like after graduation. Will you find a job? Will your degree lead to high-skilled work? Will your investment pay off?
Every year, the UK government collects data to answer those questions through the Graduate Outcomes survey. This national survey tracks what graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their university studies — whether they’re working, studying further, unemployed, or doing something else. The latest Graduate Outcomes data (from students graduating in 2022/23) was released in July.
For international students in particular, this data offers crucial insights into:
Employment prospects after completing a UK degree
Typical salaries by subject and qualification level
Which degrees lead to high-skilled jobs
How many graduates continue with postgraduate study
How satisfied graduates are with their career paths
In this article, we’ve analysed the latest results from the 2022/23 Graduate Outcomes survey, with a focus on what the findings mean for international students choosing a degree or applying for UK university scholarships in 2025 or 2026.
Whether you're interested in a Master's degree, considering a STEM career, or exploring funding opportunities like Chevening, Commonwealth, or GREAT Scholarships, this data will help you make informed choices — and craft stronger, evidence-based scholarship applications.
1. Most graduates are in work or study - but there’s a gradual decline
88% of graduates (that’s UK and international) were in some form of work or further study 15 months after finishing their degree. This is slightly down from previous years (89% in 2021/22 and 90% in 2020/21).
For international graduates, full-time employment fell from 59% to 58%, and unemployment increased from 9% to 11%.
The picture for UK-based graduates was a little better, but still showed a rise in unemployment from 5% to 6%.
🔍 What this means for you: The job market is tightening slightly. If you want to stay in the UK after graduation, choose courses with strong employment links and consider universities with excellent career support.
📣 Important update: proposed changes to the UK Graduate Route visa
The UK Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK after graduation without sponsorship, currently permits up to two years of post-study work - or three years for PhD graduates. However, the UK government’s May 2025 White Paper proposes reducing this period to 18 months for undergraduate and Master’s students, while PhD graduate eligibility would remain unchanged.
The proposals are not yet law, and no implementation date has been confirmed, but they are expected to apply to students beginning courses in or after January 2026. If you’re planning to start university in the UK by September 2025, your eligibility for the full two-year Graduate Route should remain intact - but if your course begins later, you may face a significantly shorter post-graduation work window.
2. Science, tech and healthcare still lead on outcomes
Science graduates are more likely to be in full-time work (60%) than non-science graduates (57%).
High-skilled jobs are more common for science graduates:
82% of UK science grads were in high-skilled work.
For international science graduates, this was slightly lower at 79% - but still strong.
Subjects like medicine and dentistry lead on salaries, while computing and engineering offer strong job prospects.
📌 Pro tip: Choosing a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering, or maths) is a smart strategy if you want to secure a high-skilled job and qualify for a post-study work visa.
3. Employment quality for international graduates Is slipping
The proportion of international graduates in high-skilled work has dropped from 84% in 2018/19 to 70% in 2022/23.
Among non-science international graduates, just 62% were in high-skilled jobs—down from 71% the previous year.
💡 What to do:
Prioritise degrees with placement years, internships, or professional accreditations.
Ask universities about employer links and graduate visa success rates.
Use scholarships as a platform to build your UK career—many include mentoring, networking, or industry access.
4. What about graduate salaries?
The median salary for all skill levels:
£29,498 for science graduates.
£27,998 for non-science graduates.
The highest earners were:
Medicine and dentistry: £37,924 median.
Social sciences and education: £30,000 median among non-science fields.
Computing graduates saw a salary gap of £7,990 between high-skilled and low-skilled jobs, highlighting the value of skilled employment.
📝 Takeaway: When applying for scholarships, emphasise how your chosen subject links to high-growth careers and economic impact- especially if you’re targeting awards like Chevening, Commonwealth, or GREAT Scholarships.
5. How do international graduates feel about their outcomes?
Non-UK graduates are increasingly likely to report dissatisfaction with their post-study outcomes, especially compared to UK-based peers.
Postgraduates (such as master’s students) tend to be more positive than undergraduates.
🧭 How this affects your choice:
Use graduate satisfaction and career outcome data (not just rankings) when shortlisting universities.
Explore post-study support offered to international students: alumni networks, visa guidance, and job coaching can make a real difference.
6. What this means for scholarship applicants
The latest Graduate Outcomes data isn’t just useful for choosing a course—it can also give your UK scholarship application a competitive edge. Whether you're applying for a Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT or university-specific award, here’s how to use the findings to strengthen your case:
Demonstrate alignment with labour market trends
Employers in the UK continue to prioritise high-skilled roles, particularly in STEM and healthcare sectors. With high-skilled employment falling among international graduates (from 84% in 2018/19 to 70% in 2022/23), showing that your degree choice directly supports current skills needs will set your application apart.Highlight the impact of your chosen subject
Science and computing graduates reported some of the highest median salaries and best employment outcomes. Use this data to show how your academic interests position you to make a measurable contribution in your field or home country post-study.Position yourself as future-focused
Postgraduate students are more likely than undergraduates to express satisfaction with their current activities. If you’re applying for a master’s scholarship, highlight your career clarity, professional experience, and how this qualification fits into your long-term goals.Acknowledge challenges—and show how you’ll overcome them
With unemployment among international graduates rising to 11%, funders want to see that you’re proactive and resilient. Mention your plans to gain work experience, engage with university career services, and build a strong network during your studies.
By backing up your personal story with real data, you show funders that you’ve done your homework—and that you’re serious about creating impact during and after your time in the UK.
Final thoughts
The UK continues to offer a strong return on investment for international students—especially in science, tech, health, and education. But the latest Graduate Outcomes data is a reminder that employability is not automatic.
To succeed, choose your degree wisely, make use of every opportunity (placements, networking, mentoring), and leverage data like this in your scholarship and visa applications.
We understand the challenges that international students face when applying to UK universities. Scholarship Scanner provides expert advice on applying to UK universities, and our scholarship blog shares latest updates on UK university funding opportunities. Our website can also help you to start your UK scholarship search and find the best financial support for your studies.