Leeds and Manchester are UK’s best two cities for maths graduates, report finds – Prolific North

Leeds and Manchester lead the pack as the UK’s best two cities for maths graduates, according to new research from maths education platform Calcworkshop.

The study examined data from Reed.com on four factors: the number of maths-related jobs advertised in each area, the average salary of maths-related employment, the percentage increase of a maths-related salary from the average wage, and the percentage of said maths-related salary that is expected to be spent on household expenditures in each town and city. The four factors were then weighted equally and given a final index score out of 100 to determine the best cities for maths graduates to start their careers.

Leeds took the crown as the best city for maths graduates, with a final index score of 78.53 out of 100. The Yorkshire city’s average salary for maths-related jobs is £44,916, 13% above the national benchmark. Out of this salary, 54% is expected to be spent on household expenditures, which is 23% less than the average in other cities.

In second place, Manchester’s final index score was 77.83 out of 100. As of June 2024, 505% more maths-related jobs were advertised in the northwestern city than other locations, coming in at 2,192. The average salary for these positions is £42,331, which is 33% higher than the average salary for all jobs in Manchester.

London came third, while Middlesbrough, in fourth place, made it three Northern cities in the top five. Middlesbrough’s average salary for maths graduates is £40,101, 46% higher than the average of all jobs in the town, £27,373. On average, 55% of this salary will be spent on household expenditures, 23% below the national benchmark. Altogether, this culminates in a final index score of 72.19 out of 100.

York, in sixth place, Newcastle in eighth and Blackburn ninth meant that six out of the top 10 spots for Maths grads were in the North.

Jenn Stull, founder of Calcworkshop, said: “As university students prepare for results day in the coming months, it’s time for soon-to-be graduates to start thinking about their futures, including where they will choose to begin their careers as young professionals. But remember, location is everything. When searching for a role, graduates should consider the average wages and household expenditures per location by using this study as a useful guide.

“This study has highlighted the best places for graduates with a degree in mathematics to live in 2024. Leeds and Manchester, two northern cities in England, take the gold and silver medals retrospectively due to better wages and costs of living. During the ongoing financial crisis in the U.K., and with everyday household prices continuing to soar sky high, it’s more important than ever for students to be making these decisions.”