The question "what can I do with this degree?" is best answered with data rather than guesswork. Two official datasets - Graduate Outcomes (GO) and Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) - track what really happens to graduates from each UK university course.
The GO survey: 15 months after graduation
The Graduate Outcomes survey contacts graduates roughly 15 months after they finish their degree. It asks whether they are in work, studying further, or doing something else. For those in work, it collects their salary and job title.
On CourseMap, you will see the 15-month median salary and the percentage who said they were in "highly skilled" employment. The highly skilled classification follows the Standard Occupational Classification - graduate-level roles sit in SOC groups 1 to 3.
LEO: five-year earnings from HMRC records
Longitudinal Education Outcomes links graduate records to HMRC tax data. It is larger and more reliable than a survey because it covers all graduates, not just those who respond. The five-year LEO figure on CourseMap shows median earnings from employment and self-employment.
Tip: The five-year salary figure is more useful than the 15-month one for subjects where graduates often start in lower-paid training roles - teaching, social work, and law conversion routes all look different at five years than at 15 months.
What to look for when comparing courses
When you open two courses side by side on CourseMap, look at:
- The gap between 15-month and five-year earnings: a wide gap suggests strong progression.
- The lower quartile salary: a higher floor means fewer graduates are left behind.
- The percentage in further study: high rates may mean the course is a stepping stone to a postgraduate qualification rather than a direct route to employment.
Red flags in the data
A very high median salary alongside a very low response rate warrants caution. If only 30% of graduates responded to the GO survey, the median may not represent the typical outcome. CourseMap flags low response rates alongside each data point.
Combining data with open days
Data tells you what happened to previous graduates. Open days tell you about the course as it is now. Use both - bring the salary chart printout to open days and ask the department head why the numbers look the way they do.