Oxford Brookes University and Oxford University graduates were earning more on average than those from other South East universities five years after graduation, new figures show.

A spokesperson for money website Save the Student said people are now more confident about finding work after leaving university.

Department for Education figures show that five years after leaving their course, first degree graduates from Oxford Brookes University had a median annual salary of £31,800 in 2021 to 2022, whilst first degree graduates from the University of Oxford had a median annual salary of £46,000.

This was the highest average salary from all universities in the South East, which had average earnings of £29,600.

READ MORE: Witney homes set for go-ahead after council drops appeal

Oxford Brookes University graduates who did courses in computing were earning the most, £45,300 on average, whereas their peers graduating with a degree in agriculture, food and related studies were taking home around £19,700 a year.

On the other hand, University of Oxford graduates who did courses in law were earning the most, £64,600 on average, whereas their peers graduating with a degree in creative arts and design were taking home around £26,300 a year.

The average Oxford Brookes University salary was seven per cent higher than the average salary for the 2015-16 cohort graduating from universities in the South East, which was estimated to be £29,600.

For most providers and subjects, graduate earnings have increased at or above the rate of inflation since 2015 to 2016.

Graduates from almost three quarters of universities had median earnings at least 13 per cent higher in 2021 to 2022 than in 2015 to 2016.

READ MORE: Towersey music festival announces closure after 60 years

Tom Allingham, communications director at Save the Student said: "On the face of it, this data paints a promising picture for graduates.

"However, it's worth noting that the dataset only runs to the 2021 to 2022 tax year, and therefore doesn't include much of the sky-high rates of inflation seen throughout much of 2022 and 2023."

Oxford Mail: Oxford Brookes University Oxford Brookes University (Image: Oxford Mail)He said it's not yet possible to say whether this summer's graduates will enjoy the same inflation-matching earnings as their predecessors.

"Nonetheless, the future looks bright for many graduates – particularly those from STEM subjects – and perhaps explains why in our own research, the proportion of students confident about finding work after leaving university has increased dramatically in the post-Covid era, up from 38 per cent in 2021 to 58 per cent in 2023," Mr Allingham added.

The figures also show female graduates from the Oxford Brookes University were earning a median salary of £29,900 five years into their career, while men were paid £35,800, meaning men earned 17 per cent more than women.

On the other hand, female graduates from the University of Oxford were earning a median salary of £43,500 five years into their career, while men were paid £49,300, meaning men earned 12 per cent more than women.