Careers, employability and alumni

The University of Edinburgh graduates are ranked 10th in the UK by employers (Times Higher Education 2024)*.

In today's world, technology is woven into every aspect of life, and some of the most exciting opportunities are available to those with a deep understanding of computing and information systems. The University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics' graduates are highly sought-after.

Careers Service

The Careers Service has a dedicated team of Career Consultants, one of which takes particular responsibility for students in the School of Informatics.

 

The Careers Service provides a wide and comprehensive range of support for students and graduates including:

 

  • CV and cover letter writing
  • interview preparation
  • finding part-time employment and internships
  • advice on career options 
  • careers fairs and events
  • industry talks 

Careers Service

The average Computer Science graduate's starting salary in the UK is £44,143.**

This compares with an average starting salary of £24,217 or a range of £22,000 to £31,000 for similar degrees across the UK.

What do our Graduates Do?

70% of our graduates are in work six months after graduating, 20% go on to further study, and 10% set up their own businesses.

Where do our Graduates Work?

Graduates were asked about the type of jobs they were in six months after finishing their degree.

StatementPercentage
In a professional or managerial job90%
Not in a professional or managerial job10%

Most Common Jobs?

These are the most common job types students do six months after finishing the degree.

JobPercentage
Information technology and telecommunications professionals75%
Business and public service associate professionals10%
Administrative occupations5%
Teaching and educational professionals5%
Science, engineering and technology associate professionals5%

Our students are highly employable because of the variety of skills they gain throughout their degrees. Our degrees not only offer the possibility of gaining employment in subject-specific sectors, but also offer a variety of transferable skills that a variety of sectors are looking for in graduates. 

Some examples of the type of jobs and employers that our alumni go on to work at:

Example of JobsExample of Employers
Data DeveloperSkyscanner
Software DeveloperCitigroup
Technology AnalystBright Grey
Web DeveloperPricewaterhouseCoopers
Games DeveloperSpinsight
Technical ConsultantCapGemini
Project AnalystBank of America
Test EngineerAgilent Technologies
Applications Development EngineerDeloitte
Computer ProgrammerAdobe

You can find further information about graduate destinations on the careers service website.

Graduate destinations

For real examples of what our graduates go on to do, see our Alumni Profiles:

Alumni profiles


The University has one of the most entrepreneurial student bodies in the UK. We have helped launch more than 140 new start-ups in the last five years, with more than 10 per cent being social enterprises.

We have a very strong School start-up community which is supported by our Business Development Team. Some of our graduates have started multi-million-pound businesses with help and advice from the School and from institutions such as Scottish Enterprise.

Also based in our main teaching building is Edinburgh Innovations. This award-winning programme for student entrepreneurs embodies our strong enterprise culture. It brings together a range of support services including:

  • one-to-one business advice meetings
  • start-up workshops and bootcamps
  • competitions and awards
  • events and networking opportunities

The service is free, confidential, and available to any Edinburgh student for the duration of their studies and for up to two years after graduation. It aims to help you distinguish yourself in a competitive job market and create real entrepreneurial opportunities.

Edinburgh Innovations


Hear from the University of Edinburgh's Careers Service about the support you will receive while studying with us and learn where undergraduate Informatics graduates are now.

Hear from recent MSc graduates working in tech & data as well as the changing shape of roles and the new sectors seeking highly technical students.

Further study

In addition to entering employment, many of our graduates progress onto further study. This might be to:

 

  • continue their education in a specific area
  • train in a specialist area 
  • carry out research

You can find out about postgraduate study at the School of Informatics on our website.

 

Postgraduate taught degrees

Postgraduate research and CDTs

Related links

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