Subject
Deciding the subject area you want to study is often the first step in finding a course.
What you can study
You can study a wide range of subjects. Some will be familiar from school or college, but others will be new to you. Many courses allow you to specialise within a broader subject area.
There is also the option of studying more than one subject in a joint or combined honours degree. This can help you to develop broader knowledge and skills. An example of this would be studying business with a language.
For some courses, you’ll need to have qualifications in specific subjects. Other courses just need you to have the right grades or previous experience.
Making a choice
You may have decided what you want to study. If not, here are some ideas to help you decide.
Study something that helps with your career
If you know what you want to do after you finish your studies, choose a degree that you need for that job or work area.
Not all graduate jobs need specific degrees. Employers value skills that you develop regardless of the subject.
Study something you enjoy
It's okay not to know what you want to do. Students often choose a subject they're good at or one they enjoy. Choosing something that interests you will help you enjoy your time at uni more and get good results.
Information that can help
University and college websites can help you understand:
- the range of subjects you can study
- courses that need you to have specific qualifications.
The Prospects website has job profiles that tell you:
- more about the job
- what qualifications you need
- how much people doing that job earn.
You can also find out about what careers different degrees can lead to on the Prospects website.
Each UK country has a careers website:
National Careers Service (England)
My world of work (Scotland)
Careers Wales
Career Service NI
UCAS has subject guides that tell you more about different subjects you can study.
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