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Did you know that the average undergraduate in 2023 left university with student debts of around £45,000?

That’s a heck of a lot of money to pay back, especially if you’re not exactly sure what career you want to pursue.

But what if we told you that there are some high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree at all? And although it’s the best route for many students, going to university simply isn’t for everyone.

In this blog post, we’ll explore five great career options and show you how you can land your high-paying dream job without tying yourself into multiple years of further education.

Let’s get started!

1) Police Officer

Potential Salary: £19,000-£41,000 per annum

What the job involves and what skills are needed: A police officer is responsible for enforcing UK law, preventing crime and protecting the public.

Police officers work in various settings – such as patrolling the streets, responding to emergencies, investigating crimes and arresting suspects.

To be a police officer, you need to have good communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills, as well as physical fitness and resilience.

How to get into the job and what qualifications are required: You don’t need a degree to join the police, but you usually need to have at least a Level 3 qualification – such as an A level, a BTEC or an NVQ.

Alternatively, another great option is to join the police force as an apprentice.

You will typically need to pass a series of tests – including medical, fitness and background checks – as well as an online interview and possibly an assessment centre.

You can find out more about the entry routes into policing on the joiningthepolice.co.uk website.

Pros and cons of signing up to be a Police Officer:

Benefits

• Make a real difference in your community

• Look forward to a varied and exciting job where no two days are the same

• Enjoy a generous pension and benefits package

Potential Drawbacks

• You often have to work long and irregular hours

• You will sometimes have to face dangerous or stressful situations

• You might have to deal with public criticism and scrutiny

2) Air Traffic Controller

Potential Salary: £17,000-£23,000, highest £100,000 per annum

What the job involves and what skills are needed: An air traffic controller is responsible for managing the movement of aircraft in controlled airspace and on the ground. They use radar and radio communication to guide pilots and ensure their safety and efficiency.

To be an air traffic controller, you need to have good spatial awareness, concentration and decision-making skills, as well as a good standard of English and Maths.

How to get into the job and what qualifications are required: As mentioned, you don’t need a degree to become an air traffic controller, but you do need to have at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.

Alternatively, you can apply for as a trainee with the National Air Traffic Services (NATS).

You will also need to pass a series of tests – often including medical, aptitude and assessment centres – as well as a comprehensive training course.

For more about this career option, check out the useful info about Aİr Traffic Controller jobs on the Gov.UK National Careers Service.

Pros and cons of becoming an Air Traffic Controller:

Benefits

• You get to work in a dynamic and challenging environment

• You will have a clear career progression

• Look forward to a competitive salary and pension scheme

Potential Drawbacks

• You will have to work shifts – including nights and weekends

• You’ll need to deal with high-pressure situations

• You must follow strict rules and procedures

3) Estate Agent

Potential Salary: £15,000-£40,000 per annum

What the job involves and what skills are needed: An estate agent is involved in the sale and letting of commercial and residential properties.

They advise clients on market conditions, valuations and legal issues. They also market and show potential buyers around properties, negotiate offers and prepare contracts.

To be a good estate agent, you need to have excellent communication, negotiation and customer service skills, as well as a keen interest in property and your local area.

How to get into the job and what qualifications are required: Yet again, you don’t actually need a degree to become an estate agent, but you will certainly benefit from having some relevant qualifications, such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Property Services, or a Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Residential Sales or Lettings and Management.

Another approach is to start out as a trainee or apprentice and work your way up. You also need to have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Again, the UK Government’s National Careers Website is a great resource to get you started on a lucrative career as an estate agent.

Pros and cons of choosing to be an Estate Agent:

Benefits

• You will get to meet different people on a daily basis

• You will work in a varied and fast-paced role

• You can earn commission on top of your basic salary

Potential Drawbacks

• You often have to work long and irregular hours

• You’ll need to cope with a competitive and demanding market

• You will have to deal with complaints and difficult clients

• Over the years, estate agents have sometimes suffered from a negative perception amongst the public

4) Member of Parliament

Potential Salary: £82,000-£150,000 per annum

What the job involves and what skills are needed: A member of parliament (MP) is an elected representative of the people in the House of Commons.

MPs debate and vote on new laws and policies, hold the government to account and raise issues that matter to their constituents.

To be an MP, you need to have a strong interest in politics, public affairs and current issues, as well as a commitment to serve your local community and the country at large.

You also need to have good communication, leadership and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure. You will also benefit from a thick skin, as you will often have to handle criticism.

How to get into the job and what qualifications are required: You don’t need a degree to become an MP, but you do need to be at least 18 years old, a British citizen and eligible to vote (check out exactly who can stand as an MP here).

You also usually need to be nominated by a political party, but you could also stand as an independent candidate.

Learn all you need to know about becoming an MP as part of your career plans.

Pros and cons of being an MP for a living:

Benefits

• Get to influence and shape the future of the country and your local community

• Have a high-profile and prestigious role

• Enjoy a generous salary and expenses package

Potential Drawbacks

• Have to work long and unpredictable hours

• Need to travel frequently between your constituency and Westminster

• Often subjected to public scrutiny and criticism

5) Game Developer

Potential Salary: £20,000-£50,000 per annum

What the job involves and what skills are needed: A game developer is involved in the creation and production of video games for various platforms, such as phones, tablets, PCs and consoles.

They use programming languages, such as C++, Java, and C#, as well as software tools, such as game engines, to design and develop the gameplay, graphics, audio and the user interface of games.

To be a game developer, you need to have a passion for games, a creative and technical mindset and a problem-solving attitude.

How to get into the job and what qualifications are required: Although it helps to have a degree (or equivalent qualification) in computer science, software engineering or a related field, it isn’t always necessary.

You can gain experience and skills through online courses, game jams and relevant communities. If you build up your own portfolio of projects and games then you can still do well as a games developer without going to university to get a degree.

If you are interested in being a games developer then get started here.

Pros and cons of the working as a Game Developer:

Benefits

• You get to work in a fun and innovative industry

• You can express your creativity and originality

• You will see your ideas come to life

Potential Drawbacks

• Have to work to tight deadlines

• Often have to deal with changing requirements and feedback

• You will need to cope with inevitable technical issues and bugs

Conclusion

To sum up, going to university is not the only way to achieve a successful and rewarding career in 2024 and beyond.

There are many high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree, just a handful of which we’ve highlighted above.

These jobs offer opportunities to learn new skills, make an impact and earn a very good income.

If you’re interested in any of these jobs, why not start researching them further today (use some of the external links in each section above) and see what steps you need to take to get there?

You might be surprised by how much you can achieve and earn – even without a degree!