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Majors and careers · Singapore, UK, US

What can you do with each major?

Ten majors that families in Singapore ask about most: the jobs they lead to, where recent graduates went, and what graduates earn, from official surveys in Singapore, the UK and the US.

GES 2025 · UK LEO 2023-24 · New York Fed 2026 · university graduate outcomes · October 2026 · Alex Koo

S$4,500median starting pay, all fresh graduates of Singapore's six universitiesGES 2025, gross per month
S$6,400NUS Computer Science, highest fresh-graduate median here84% in full-time permanent jobs
£71,400UK Economics graduates' median pay 10 years onall subjects: £38,800
67%of US physics graduates also hold a graduate degreeall majors: 39%
In short

Four things the data shows

  1. Most degrees start in a similar band

    In Singapore most of the degrees here start at S$4,000–5,000 a month. Computer Science (S$5,500–6,400), Medicine (S$6,500) and Law (S$7,000) stand out; Medicine and Law are measured one year after graduation.

  2. Starting pay is not the whole story

    In the UK, Economics graduates' median rises from £30,700 one year after graduation to £51,200 after five years and £71,400 after ten. Maths and Physics also climb to about £54,000.

  3. Sciences and psychology often mean more study

    About two in three US physics, chemistry and biology graduates also hold a graduate degree, and 40% of Imperial physics graduates went on to further study. Psychologists need a master's or doctorate.

  4. Regulated careers have a route after the degree

    Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law and architecture need training and registration after graduation, and the rules differ by country. Plan the whole route, including where you want to work.

At a glance

Pay by major in three countries

Singapore: median gross monthly pay of fresh graduates (range across the degrees listed). UK: median annual earnings 5 years after graduation. US: median annual wage of graduates aged 22–27.

MajorSingapore, starting (S$ / month)UK, 5 years on (£ / year)US, age 22–27 (US$ / year)
Computer ScienceS$5,500–6,400£39,900$87,000
Engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil)S$4,200–5,000£44,300$75,000–85,000
Mathematics, Statistics and Data ScienceS$4,680–5,250£43,900$70,000
Natural Sciences (physics, chemistry, life sciences)S$4,000–4,600£32,900–43,600$45,000–67,000
Medicine, Dentistry and PharmacyS$4,475–6,500*£42,200–56,400no bachelor's row (graduate degree in the US)
EconomicsS$4,500–4,621£51,200$72,000
Business, Accounting and FinanceS$4,350–4,860£35,100$56,000–70,000
LawS$7,000*£33,300no bachelor's row (graduate degree in the US)
ArchitectureS$4,600*£39,200$60,000
PsychologyS$4,065£29,600$45,000

* measured one year or more after graduation · Bar: S$3,500 to S$7,500

Major by major

Jobs, employers and numbers

Job titles are examples of roles directly related to each degree. Employers are taken only from lists that universities have published about their own graduates.

Computer Science

Jobs

  • Software engineer
  • Data scientist
  • Cyber security analyst
  • Product manager
  • Quantitative trader
  • Systems analyst

Where graduates went

Imperial College London, Computing graduates (2024 outcomes) ↗

Google · Microsoft · Amazon · Meta · Arm · Bloomberg · Jane Street · Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NUS Computer ScienceS$6,40084.1%
NTU Computer ScienceS$5,50079.7%
SMU Computer ScienceS$6,00083.3%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Computing£29.3k£39.9k£46.8k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Computer Science$87k$120k7.0%33%

Engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil)

Jobs

  • Mechanical or design engineer
  • Electrical and electronics engineer
  • Process (chemical) engineer
  • Civil or structural engineer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Energy engineer

Where graduates went

NUS Mechanical Engineering (alumni) ↗

Rolls-Royce · Airbus · ST Engineering · Dyson · Micron · Siemens

NUS Electrical and Computer Engineering ↗

Apple · Google · Micron · GlobalFoundries · MediaTek · Singtel

NUS Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering ↗

ExxonMobil · GSK · MSD · Micron · GlobalFoundries

Imperial College London, Civil Engineering (2024 outcomes) ↗

Arup · AECOM · Mott MacDonald · Jacobs Engineering · Land Transport Authority of Singapore

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NUS Mechanical EngineeringS$5,00075.7%
NUS Electrical EngineeringS$4,90082.1%
NUS Chemical EngineeringS$4,80073.0%
NUS Civil EngineeringS$4,37892.4%
NTU Electrical and Electronic EngineeringS$4,80075.8%
NTU Civil EngineeringS$4,20079.6%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Engineering£32.2k£44.3k£53.1k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Mechanical Engineering$80k$120k4.4%39%
Electrical Engineering$82k$123k3.2%48%
Chemical Engineering$85k$135k4.7%48%
Civil Engineering$75k$115k2.3%37%

Route after the degree

Optional in Singapore: registering as a Professional Engineer needs an approved degree, at least four years of practical experience, two exams (FEE and PPE) and an interview.

Official page

Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science

Jobs

  • Actuary
  • Data scientist
  • Statistician
  • Investment or quantitative analyst
  • Machine learning engineer
  • Maths teacher

Where graduates went

Imperial College London, Mathematics (2024 outcomes; 41% went into finance and insurance) ↗

Aon · Apple · Bank of America · Barclays · Morgan Stanley · Milliman · Lane Clark & Peacock · BDO

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NTU Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceS$5,25075.9%
NUS Data Science and AnalyticsS$5,00065.1%
NTU Mathematical SciencesS$4,68064.4%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Mathematical sciences£29.9k£43.9k£53.8k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Mathematics$70k$100k5.8%51%

Natural Sciences (physics, chemistry, life sciences)

Jobs

  • Research scientist
  • Analytical or medicinal chemist
  • Medical physicist (clinical scientist)
  • Biotechnologist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Meteorologist

Where graduates went

Imperial College London, Physics (2024 outcomes; 40% went on to further study) ↗

National Physical Laboratory · Institute of Cancer Research · Arup · Goldman Sachs · Ocado Technology · PwC

Imperial College London, Chemistry (2024 outcomes) ↗

GSK · Evotec · Pharmaron · NHS · KPMG

Imperial College London, Life Sciences (2024 outcomes; 41% went on to further study) ↗

IQVIA · Civil Service · Mewburn Ellis · L.E.K. Consulting · Deloitte

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NTU Physics and Applied PhysicsS$4,60056.3%
NUS Science (all BSc Hons, combined)S$4,25071.2%
NTU Chemistry and Biological ChemistryS$4,20064.8%
NTU Biological SciencesS$4,00069.4%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Physics and astronomy£29.6k£43.6k£54.2k
Chemistry£27.1k£38.1k£45k
Biosciences£23.8k£32.9k£39.9k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Physics$67k$105k6.6%67%
Chemistry$50k$86k4.3%68%
Biology$45k$83k4.3%64%

Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy

Jobs

  • Hospital doctor
  • General practitioner
  • Surgeon
  • Dentist
  • Hospital or community pharmacist
  • Clinical researcher

Where graduates went

Singapore: new doctors and dentists are employed by MOH Holdings; specialist training is run by NHG Health, NUHS and SingHealth ↗

MOH Holdings · NHG Health · NUHS · SingHealth

Imperial College London, Medicine (2024 outcomes) ↗

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital · Royal Free · Royal Marsden · Oxford University Hospital

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NUS Medicine (MBBS)*S$6,500100.0%
NUS DentistryS$4,550100.0%
NUS Pharmacy*S$4,47597.4%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Medicine and dentistry£42.8k£56.4k£64.8k
Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy£26.4k£42.2k£43.6k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

The New York Fed table has no bachelor's row for this field: in the US, medicine and law are graduate degrees.

Route after the degree

Singapore: a one-year house officer year with MOH Holdings, then medical officer postings and residency (specialist training). Pharmacy: 30 weeks of pre-registration training. UK: a two-year Foundation Programme for doctors, a foundation year for dentists and pharmacists.

Official page

Economics

Jobs

  • Economist
  • Financial or investment analyst
  • Management consultant
  • Policy analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Actuary

Where graduates went

University of Bath, Economics (2022/23 graduates) ↗

Bank of England · BlackRock · Goldman Sachs · JP Morgan Chase · Rothschild · Deloitte · EY · PwC

NUS Economics (government roles) ↗

Ministry of Trade and Industry · Enterprise Singapore · CPF Board

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NTU EconomicsS$4,62178.5%
SMU EconomicsS$4,50076.2%
NUS Social Sciences (combined)S$4,50071.9%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Economics£30.7k£51.2k£71.4k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Economics$72k$115k3.5%42%

Business, Accounting and Finance

Jobs

  • Accountant or auditor
  • Management consultant
  • Investment banker
  • Business analyst
  • Brand manager
  • Risk manager

Where graduates went

University of Bath, Accounting and Finance (2022/23 graduates) ↗

Deloitte · EY · KPMG · PwC · Grant Thornton · Forvis Mazars

University of Bath, Management (2022/23 graduates) ↗

Accenture · Amazon · Google · Unilever · Johnson and Johnson · Louis Vuitton

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NUS Business AdministrationS$4,86080.2%
SMU Business ManagementS$4,60075.9%
NUS AccountancyS$4,37590.9%
NTU AccountancyS$4,35088.5%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Business and management£26k£35.1k£42.1k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Finance$70k$112k2.8%32%
Accounting$68k$97k2.6%34%
Business Management$56k$82k3.8%25%

Law

Jobs

  • Lawyer (solicitor or advocate)
  • In-house counsel
  • Deputy Public Prosecutor
  • Justices' Law Clerk
  • State counsel
  • Trade mark attorney

Where graduates went

UCL Laws (2022–23 graduates) ↗

Allen & Overy · Slaughter and May · White & Case · Milbank · Bird & Bird · KPMG · PwC

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
SMU Law (GES 2024, one year after graduation)*S$7,00095.9%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Law£23.8k£33.3k£43.9k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

The New York Fed table has no bachelor's row for this field: in the US, medicine and law are graduate degrees.

Route after the degree

Singapore: the Part B course and exams, then one year of practice training (lengthened from six months) before admission as an Advocate and Solicitor. England and Wales: SQE1 and SQE2 plus two years of qualifying work experience.

Official page

Architecture

Jobs

  • Architect
  • Urban designer
  • Town planner
  • Interior and spatial designer
  • Architectural technologist

Where graduates went

University of Bath, Architecture (2021/22 and 2022/23 graduates) ↗

Foster and Partners · Allford Hall Monaghan Morris · Building Design Partnership · Cullinan Studio · HAT Projects

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NUS Architecture (follow-up survey)*S$4,60096.8%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Architecture, building and planning£29.6k£39.2k£48.7k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Architecture$60k$91k6.8%41%

Route after the degree

Singapore: a recognised master's (e.g., NUS or SUTD M.Arch), at least two years of practical experience including 12 months in Singapore, and the Professional Practice Examination (Board of Architects).

Official page

Psychology

Jobs

  • Clinical psychologist
  • Counselling psychologist
  • Educational psychologist
  • Occupational psychologist
  • Assistant psychologist
  • Researcher

Where graduates went

University of Bath, Psychology (2022/23 graduates) ↗

NHS · Talking Therapies · Civil Service · Barnardo's · Deloitte · Amazon · Dyson

Singapore, fresh graduates (GES 2025)

DegreeMedian / monthFull-time permanent
NTU PsychologyS$4,06558.6%

UK median earnings (LEO 2023-24)

Subject1 year5 years10 years
Psychology£22.7k£29.6k£35.1k

US recent graduates (New York Fed)

MajorPay at 22–27Pay at 35–45Unemp.Grad degree
Psychology$45k$72k5.0%52%

Route after the degree

To practise as a psychologist you need a master's or doctorate. Singapore is introducing mandatory registration for five specialties, with details due by early 2027. UK: at least three years of postgraduate training and HCPC registration.

Official page

* follow-up survey: Medicine and Pharmacy one year after graduation; Architecture includes graduates who completed the M.Arch; Law from GES 2024, one year after graduation.

Which IB Maths each degree requires: course-by-course guide

Reading the numbers

What these figures measure

  1. Singapore (GES 2025)

    Class of 2025, surveyed in November 2025, about six months after final exams. Pay is the median gross monthly salary of graduates in full-time permanent jobs (basic pay plus overtime, commissions and fixed allowances; no bonuses or employer CPF). NUS reports its science and social-science degrees as combined rows.

  2. UK (LEO 2023-24)

    UK-domiciled first-degree graduates of English universities: median earnings in the 2023-24 tax year, 1, 5 and 10 years after graduation. It counts everyone in work, including part-time, and does not adjust for prior grades.

  3. US (New York Fed, 2026)

    Bachelor's degree holders by major, from the American Community Survey: median wage at ages 22–27 and 35–45, unemployment rate, and the share who also hold a graduate degree.

  4. What they cannot show

    These are averages for groups of graduates, not what a subject guarantees. Differences also reflect who chooses each subject and where they work.

Sources

Where each fact comes from

Show all sources

Surveys are updated every year. Check the official page for the latest figures.

Choosing a major is the first step

In the IB Pathway Diagnostic (90 minutes, S$500), we match the student's interests and strengths to majors, then to IB subjects and universities.

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This is an independent summary of official surveys and university publications by Math with Alex. It is not affiliated with any university or government agency. Employer names are as published by each university.

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