2115SOC 2020 · 2 · 21 · 211Higher Skilled · Table 1

Social and humanities scientists: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 2115

Higher Skilled Immigration Salary List

Rules checked against GOV.UK 6 November 2026 · Compiled by SWC Editorial Team

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a social or humanities scientist?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a social or humanities scientist (SOC 2115) if you meet the requirements below.

What you need

You must have:

  • a job offer from a UK employer that's allowed to sponsor visas (check the sponsor list)
  • a "certificate of sponsorship" from that employer: a reference number with details of your job
  • a salary of at least £41,700 a year
  • English at level B2: you can usually prove it with an approved test or a degree taught in English (ways to prove it)
  • £1,270 in savings, unless your employer covers your first month or you've been in the UK for 12 months or more

You can be paid less than £41,700 in some cases:

  • £33,400 a year if you’re a new entrant
  • £37,500 a year with a PhD relevant to the job
  • £33,400 a year with a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD relevant to the job
  • £40,400 a year because the job is on the Immigration Salary List

You're a new entrant if, for example, you're under 26, recently finished studying in the UK, or are working towards a professional qualification. Check who counts as a new entrant.

If the job includes research at PhD level in some science and technology subjects, you may also need an ATAS certificate. Read the ATAS rules on GOV.UK.

Check the date. This job comes off the Immigration Salary List on 31 December 2026.

How much it costs

Visa fee£628 for up to 3 years
£1,235 for more than 3 years
Healthcare surchargeusually £1,035 a year
Savings to show (if needed)£1,270

For example, a 3-year visa from outside the UK costs £628 plus £3,105 for the healthcare surcharge: £3,733 in total. Your partner and children pay too if they come with you. The lower fee applies because the job is on the Immigration Salary List. Full fees.

How long it takes

  • You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK.
  • It's usually 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.
  • Your visa can last up to 5 years. You can extend it.
  • After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle in the UK.

How to apply

  1. Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (2115).
  2. Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer.
  3. Prove your English and get your documents ready (documents list).
  4. Apply online on GOV.UK: apply from outside the UK. You'll pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
  5. Prove your identity, using the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.

Things to check

  • Do make sure the job description matches the work you'll actually do. The occupation code must fit the job.
  • Do check your employer is on the licensed sponsor list.
  • Don't apply before you have a certificate of sponsorship. You need a confirmed job offer first.
  • Don't count overtime, bonuses or allowances. Only guaranteed basic pay counts towards the salary.
  • Don't change job or employer without updating your visa.

Based on the UK Immigration Rules and the Skilled Worker visa guide on GOV.UK. This is a summary, not advice about your own situation.

The rules in detail

SOC 2020 code 2115 (Social and humanities scientists) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1 · 29 Oct 26 with a going rate of £40,400 a year (£20.72 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.

Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.
Key facts for SOC 2115
OccupationSocial and humanities scientists
Skilled Worker eligibilityHigher Skilled
Going rate£40,400 a year (£20.72 an hour)T1
Appendix table(s)Table 1, Table 2
Immigration Salary ListYes, until 31 December 2026Only archaeologists. (all UK)
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsYes
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)2114
SOC 2020 group21 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals › 211 Natural and social science professionals

Going rates for 2115 in Appendix Skilled Occupations

A code can appear in more than one table. Each table applies to different applicants. Rates are per year for a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other hours.

Table and who it applies toGoing rate90%80%70%
Table 1The main table for Skilled Worker applications. Going rates are based on median earnings (ASHE). £40,400
£20.72/hr		£36,400
£18.67/hr		£33,400
£17.13/hr		£33,400
£17.13/hr
Table 2Rates based on 25th-percentile earnings. Used for Health and Care ASHE salary jobs, and for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024 who have held it continuously and apply before 4 April 2030. Also the rates for Global Business Mobility and Scale-up. £28,000
£14.36/hr		£25,200
£12.92/hr		£25,000
£12.82/hr		£25,000
£12.82/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 2115

Under Appendix Skilled Worker, the salary must equal or exceed both the general threshold and the going-rate figure for the points option used. This table puts the two figures side by side for each option. It does not say which option applies to any person. See salary thresholds for the conditions on each option.

Options A–E (going rates from Table 1)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
AStandard £41,700£40,400 (100%) £41,700
BThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £37,500£36,400 (90%) £37,500
CThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £33,400£33,400 (80%) £33,400
DThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List £33,400£40,400 (100%) £40,400
EThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £33,400£33,400 (70%) £33,400
Options F–J (going rates from Table 2)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£28,000 (100%) £31,300
GThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £28,200£25,200 (90%) £28,200
HThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £25,000£25,000 (80%) £25,000
IThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List £25,000£28,000 (100%) £28,000
JThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £25,000£25,000 (70%) £25,000

Rule changes that named 2115

Job titles under SOC 2115

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Anthropologists
  • Archaeologists
  • Behavioural scientists
  • Epidemiologists
  • Genealogists
  • Geographic information systems (GIS) analysts
  • Historians
  • Political scientists
  • Public health analysts
  • Social and humanities scientists not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (9)
  • Anthropologist
  • Archaeologist
  • Criminologist
  • Epidemiologist
  • Geographer
  • GIS analyst
  • Historian
  • Political researcher
  • Social scientist

What the job involves

Social and humanities scientists study and analyse human behaviour and the origin, structure and characteristics of language undertake research in areas such as sociology, economics, politics, archaeology, history, philosophy, literature, the arts organise the collection of qualitative and quantitative information and perform subsequent analyses.

Typical tasks

  • Studies society and the manner in which people behave and impact upon the world
  • Undertakes research across the humanities that furthers understanding of human culture and creativity
  • Traces the evolution of word and language forms, compares grammatical structures and analyses the relationships between ancient, parent and modern languages
  • Identifies, compiles and analyses economic, demographic, legal, political, social and other data to address research objectives
  • Administers questionnaires, carries out interviews, organises focus groups and implements other social research tools
  • Undertakes analyses of data, presents results of research to sponsors, the media and other interested organisations
  • Addresses conferences and publishes articles detailing the methodology and results of research undertaken

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification but is possible with other academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Postgraduate qualifications may be required for some jobs.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 2115

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a social or humanities scientist?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a social or humanities scientist (SOC 2115) if you meet the requirements: a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, the minimum salary, and English at level B2. SOC 2020 code 2115 (Social and humanities scientists) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations with a going rate of £40,400 a year (£20.72 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.

What is SOC code 2115?

2115 is the SOC 2020 code for Social and humanities scientists. Social and humanities scientists study and analyse human behaviour and the origin, structure and characteristics of language undertake research in areas such as sociology, economics, politics, archaeology, history, philosophy, literature, the arts organise the collection of qualitative and quantitative information and perform subsequent analyses.

What is the going rate for SOC code 2115?

Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £40,400 a year (£20.72 an hour) for 2115, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

Is 2115 on the Immigration Salary List?

Yes. Only archaeologists. in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The list states a removal date of 31 December 2026.

What job titles use SOC code 2115?

GOV.UK lists: Anthropologists, Archaeologists, Behavioural scientists, Epidemiologists, Genealogists, Geographic information systems (GIS) analysts, Historians, Political scientists, Public health analysts, Social and humanities scientists not elsewhere classified.

Sources

Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.