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The highest paying jobs for international students in the UK right now

After years of grafting as a student, you want to go into a job that’s going to make all that hard work worth it. But if you really want to earn the big bucks, you’ve got to chart your path carefully and pick a career that’s going to really pay off.

Before we get into some of the highest paying jobs for international students in the UK right now, it’s important to note some of the factors which influence why some jobs are paid higher than others.

Supply and demand play as much of a part in how salaries are determined as skill level and education. And as Gen Z graduates have been finding out on TikTok recently, salaries also fluctuate depending on location.

Even in the UK, in specific industries, companies from certain nations appear to be better payers than others, which is creating a nice bit of competition among employers.

Keep those factors in mind as you start your job search and check out these highest-paying jobs as revealed by SaveTheStudent. As you’d expect, these are all pretty senior positions but knowing the top jobs will help you plot a career course for the future.

1. Chief Executives and Senior Officials

Median salary: £79,835

Pursuing a business-related degree and launching your own business will position you favourably for a lucrative career at the highest level.

Leadership skills are essential, as is the ability to think critically and strategically.

2. Marketing, Sales and Advertising Directors

Median salary: £77,695

Marketing is fiercely competitive, with employers typically preferring candidates who hold degrees in marketing or business. It's beneficial to have prior work experience, which can be gained through internships and voluntary work.

You’ll need to be an effective communicator to ‘sell’ your vision and ideas clearly and persuasively. In the digital age, you also need to be adept with data which will inform your decisions.

3.   IT Directors

Median salary: £73,571

Information Technology Directors are responsible for coordinating all the IT equipment necessary for an organisation to function effectively.

IT directors must be able to solve complex problems related to technology systems and infrastructure, coming up with solutions that align with the goals and objectives at large.

4. Specialist Medical Practitioners

Median salary: £68,614

If you’re in the business of saving lives, you might be wise to specialise in an area of modern medicine. Ultimately, it requires more training, but the money is good as soon as you’re suitably qualified in your chosen specialism.

5. Headteachers and Principals

Median salary: £66,686

To become a headteacher or principal, you’ll need to have a lot of experience working at schools. But the data shows that the teachers are getting promoted into the position of headteacher quicker than ever.

As a headteacher, you’ve got to be an organiser, communicator and decision maker, all at once. You must also be able to listen actively, show empathy and respond to the needs of others effectively.

A word on jobs in London

Remember, salaries for jobs in London usually out-pace the rest of the UK because of London Weighting. This wage supplement helps towards the higher cost of living in and around the capital.

Right now, the minimum London Weighting is £6,549.

Honing your skills

No matter which career path you choose, you need the right skills to succeed. But which ones are going to be most useful for securing those top positions?

To help you plan ahead, here are the top 15 skills for 2025 according to the World Economic Forum:

1. Analytical thinking and innovation
2. Active learning
3. Complex problem-solving
4. Critical thinking and analysis
5. Creativity, originality and initiative
6. Leadership and social influence
7. Technology use, monitoring and control
8. Technology design and programming
9. Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility
10. Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation
11. Emotional intelligence
12. Troubleshooting and user experience
13. Service orientation
14. Systems analysis and evaluation
15. Persuasion and negotiation

Make your first move

If you really want to end up in one of the jobs above, your first move into the world of work is crucial. Get it right with GradLink – your essential place for learning about graduate opportunities and connecting with employers in the UK and beyond.

Our service is completely free and includes jobs, employer links, CV advice and more. Head over to the newly launched UK section of the website to find a UK-based position to start you on the right path.