It’s not always easy to choose a university degree. There are many degrees available, so it is important to make an informed decision about which degree you should pursue in the next 3-4 years of your life.
Eventually, when you will be at the end of your university journey, you will probably be writing a dissertation which is quite a challenging task. Do not hesitate to turn to dissertation consultants to receive high-quality help.
There are many degrees available, but you don’t have to be overwhelmed.
How to NOT choose your university degree?
- Do not let anyone pressure you to make a decision
It doesn’t matter if your parents believe you should study history rather than media studies or medicine over zoology. It’s your decision, not theirs.
- Do not copy your friends
You should not blindly follow the lead of your friends or partner if you aren’t sure which degree you want to pursue. You’ll be doing this for many years so think carefully before you commit to the subject.
- Do not choose a subject that you aren’t interested
Are you going to love a career in accounting if you believe an accountancy degree will give you the best chance of landing a job with a high salary?
You now know what to avoid, so here are some things you can do to help you choose the right degree.
How do I choose a university degree?
There are many factors that can affect your decision about which degree you should study. It is easy to get lost if you don’t break it down.
We’ve provided three starting points to make it easier.
- It is hard to know what you want to do.
- There are a number of courses available at the university.
- You are looking for a job.
It is hard to know what you want
Many students are confused about where to begin when choosing a degree topic. Don’t worry if you feel lost.
Here are five ways to make a decision if you are having trouble deciding.
- Make a list of topics you are interested in
It is important to choose a subject that interests you. While you will still have to work hard and be stressed, a degree that you enjoy is more rewarding than one you don’t find interesting or inspiring.
- Make a list of subjects that you are good at
If you are a standout in one or more subjects, you will likely be able to go to university and study that subject. You may also find a job in the same field.
Keep in mind step 1 and don’t pick something you aren’t good at, but it won’t make for a great three-year career.
Don’t think about A-Level subjects only. If you are a good writer and have strong analytical skills, you might be a good candidate for a degree in psychology, even if you aren’t currently studying psychology.
- Go beyond the box
You should also research degrees that you may not have heard of. You can start by using our “What can I do?” course widget. This will allow you to see what other students have done with the same A-Levels. It’s great for getting ideas and inspiration, if you are having trouble coming up with new ideas.
- Create a shortlist
Now you can start narrowing down your choices. From the topics you have identified using the three previous steps, create a list of five to ten courses that you are interested in studying at university.
- Research
After you have compiled your list of subjects, it is time to learn more about what it takes to get a degree in those subjects. To learn everything you need to know about degree subjects , from A-Levels to study that subject at university, to what modules you will be studying in your first year and the career options available to you after graduation, you can refer to our degree subject guide .
After you have done your research on your shortlist, you may find one subject that jumps out at the you. In which case you could be a winner! You can move on to the next stage if you don’t find a winner.
Choose from a variety of courses at university
Now that you have narrowed your choices to two or three subjects, it is difficult to choose between them. Here’s where things get tricky. It doesn’t matter if the subjects you are trying to choose between are very similar or million miles apart. The decision is never easy.
You can make a list of pros and cons for each subject you are considering to help you make your final decision. Do as much research as you can. After you have read the subject guide, you should look at several degrees from different unis to get an idea of what modules you will be studying in your first year. Keep in mind that they may vary greatly between universities.
After you have done your research and consulted with friends, family, and career advisors, you will hopefully start to see a winner.
Have a job in mind
Have a dream job in mind? You are one of the fortunate ones. Many people don’t know where to start when it comes picking a degree or finding a job. But if you have a goal for the future, you are already one step ahead.
How do you get there?
You can choose to become a doctor or architect if you have a medical or architectural degree. But what if you are looking for a job that is less common?
First, test-drive our “I want to Be” careers widget. This allows you to choose a career and then shows you the most popular degree paths that lead to that career.
Accounting, economics and finance are the most popular subjects at university. The percentage breakdown can be seen in the example above. 38% of accountants have studied accounting at university.
After you have a good idea of the top subjects you can read our subject guides to learn more. You should be able narrow down the list with a little research.