Skip to content Accessibility statement
HR
HomeStaff homeHRYour employmentPay and gradingPay scalesGrades 1 to 8R

Grades 1 to 8R pay scales

Annual salaries and hourly rates for staff in grades 1 to 8R. These rates are effective from 1 April 2026.

University grades are split into fixed salary steps called spine points. There are three ways to progress:

  • Annual increases:
    You will usually move up one point each year on the anniversary of starting your role. This stops when you reach the top of your standard grade. For more details, see your terms of employment.
  • Progressing faster through your standard grade:
    If you are consistently delivering exceptional work, you don't have to wait for your annual increase. You can apply to move up an additional grade point ahead of schedule through our Rewarding Excellence scheme.
  • Progressing past the top of your grade (contribution points):
    Once you reach the top of your standard grade, automatic increases stop. You can move into 'contribution points' by submitting a successful Rewarding Excellence application. If your grade has more than one contribution point, you must apply for each one separately.

Grade 1

Grade 1 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
1.3 15 £26,093 £13.52
1.4 – contribution point 16 £26,707 £13.84

Grade 2

Grade 2 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
2.2 15 £26,093 £13.52
2.3 16 £26,707 £13.84
2.4 17 £27,319 £14.16
2.5 – contribution point 18 £28,031 £14.53

Grade 3

Grade 3 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
3.1 16 £26,707 £13.84
3.2 17 £27,319 £14.16
3.3 18 £28,031 £14.53
3.4 19 £28,778 £14.92
3.5 – contribution point 20 £29,588 £15.34

Grade 4

Grade 4 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
4.1 19 £28,778 £14.92
4.2 20 £29,588 £15.34
4.3 21 £30,378 £15.75
4.4 22 £31,236 £16.19
4.5 23 £32,080 £16.63
4.6 – contribution point 24 £33,002 £17.11

Grade 5

Grade 5 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
5.1 23 £32,080 £16.63
5.2 24 £33,002 £17.11
5.3 25 £33,951 £17.60
5.4 26 £34,610 £17.94
5.5 27 £35,608 £18.46
5.6 28 £36,636 £18.99
5.7 – contribution point 29 £37,694 £19.54
5.8 – contribution point 30 £38,784 £20.10

Grade 6

Grade 6 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
6.1 29 £37,694 £19.54
6.2 30 £38,784 £20.10
6.3 31 £39,906 £20.68
6.4 33 £42,254 £21.90
6.5 34 £43,482 £22.54
6.6 36 £46,049 £23.87
6.7 – contribution point 37 £47,389 £24.56
6.8 – contribution point 38 £48,822 £25.31

Grade 7

Grade 7 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
7.1 36 £46,049 £23.87
7.2 37 £47,389 £24.56
7.3 38 £48,822 £25.31
7.4 40 £51,753 £26.82
7.5 41 £53,301 £27.63
7.6 43 £56,535 £29.30
7.7 – contribution point 44 £58,225 £30.18
7.8 – contribution point 45 £59,966 £31.08

Grade 8

Grade 8 point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
8.1 44 £58,225 £30.18
8.2 46 £61,759 £32.01
8.3 47 £63,606 £32.97
8.4 48 £65,509 £33.95
8.5 49 £67,468 £34.97
8.6 – contribution point 50 £69,488 £36.02
8.7 – contribution point 51 £71,566 £37.09

Grade 8R

Grade 8R point Spine point Annual salary Hourly rate
8.1 44 £58,225 £30.18
8.2 46 £61,759 £32.01
8.3 47 £63,606 £32.97
8.4 48 £65,509 £33.95
8.5 49 £67,468 £34.97
8.6 50 £69,488 £36.02
8.7 51 £71,566 £37.09
8.8 – contribution point N/A £74,144 £38.43
8.9 – contribution point N/A £76,471 £39.64

Hourly rates are calculated by dividing annual salary by 37 (full time contracted hours) and 52.143 (number of weeks in the year).

Specific spine points apply to multiple grades or are skipped over. For a full list of spine points and grades side-by-side, refer to:

For managers: estimating gross salary costs

You can find estimated gross costs for employing someone at each grade and point on the Finance and Payroll web pages, under 'Information for Managers'.