How to choose the right degree

Author
Daniel Higginbotham, Senior editor
Posted
May, 2025

With so many university courses to pick from, deciding what to study can be a long process, so make a start by narrowing down your degree options

Qualification options at undergraduate level

What are Bachelors degrees?

Bachelors degrees are the most popular undergraduate route into higher education. They span a range of subject disciplines, including:

Most Bachelors degrees last three to four years if studied full time, with assessment made through a combination of:

  • assignments
  • group projects
  • written exams.

In many cases, they include opportunities to spend a year studying abroad or in industry through a work placement.

What about other undergraduate qualifications?

Shorter undergraduate courses also exist in the form of:

For instance, if you're an aspiring farm manager, you may be better suited to a vocational award, such as one of the above.

To find out more about the full range of UK qualifications, read our guide to qualifications.

Key questions to ask when choosing a course

What subject should I study?

If you've decided to pursue a Bachelors degree at university, it's now time to choose the subject(s) you wish to focus on.

Many graduate jobs require candidates to be educated to degree level without specifying a particular discipline. So, finding a subject you enjoy that develops your transferable skills means you're more likely to obtain a high-standard degree while having fun achieving it.

If you have a particular career in mind, such as medicine, law or journalism, picking a suitable course for your chosen subject should be fairly straightforward.

However, while changing or leaving your course is possible, finding the right course the first time around will save you the trouble.

Which degrees are relevant to my A-levels?

If you're not sure what Bachelors degree to study but wish to explore courses similar to your A-level subjects, it's worth researching what graduates have done after completing their programmes. You can then see if any of these job options take your fancy.

For instance, if you studied a science subject at A-level, you could look at degrees in:

Alternatively, if your A-levels included mathematics, you might wish to pursue:

Finally, you'll find that some degrees have broader entry requirements, and so your chosen subjects may not matter as much. These include subjects like:

These more general degrees allow you to keep your options open when it comes to your future career.

To see what other graduates have gone on to do after studying a particular subject, visit what can I do with my degree?

To help you decide between different careers, browse our job profiles or use our Job Match tool.

For more ideas on relevant degrees, you can use online course search and comparison tools, such as:

What are my career goals?

Selecting a course that fits in with your career goals involves taking into account important factors such as:

  • your interests
  • potential career paths
  • course content and length
  • teaching methods and your approach to learning
  • graduate job market demand
  • professional accreditation.

Get the lowdown on how to choose a career.

Which subjects offer the highest earning potential?

According to HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) Graduate Outcomes data from 2021/22, the following five subject areas are the best degrees to study in terms of earning potential (including average salaries):

  1. 拢34,000 - medicine and dentistry
  2. 拢31,000 - veterinary sciences
  3. 拢28,000 - engineering and technology
  4. 拢24,000 - business and management
  5. 拢25,000 - subjects allied to medicine.

What are my main interests and motivations?

If you're still not sure what degree to study, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Which subjects do I enjoy studying?
  • Are the subjects I'm interested in ones I've studied before?
  • What subjects am I good at?
  • What strengths do I have?
  • What do I see myself doing after university?
  • Would my choice of degree affect this?

What style of learning suits me best?

The majority of degrees incorporate the following methods of learning:

However, more universities are combining traditional classroom teaching with online activities, known as blended learning.

If you're looking for a more flexible and interactive experience, focus on courses with an online element in the form of:

  • elearning modules
  • podcasts
  • videos.

These educational materials are used alongside face-to-face interactions with teachers and fellow students.

Alternatively, if you opt for a professional and vocational degree subject, such as education, nursing or social work, you can expect a high degree of practical and work-based learning.

Those studying a talent-based programme like drama or music can expect to engage in performance-based activities, while sport and exercise science courses will involve practical training and require students with a high level of fitness.

How to compare university courses

No two universities in the UK offer identical courses for the same degree. When comparing courses, it's important to consider:

The Key Information Set (KIS) is a useful course comparison tool that helps you compare degree programmes at different universities. You can use KIS information to search for and compare all UK degree courses at Discover Uni.

In addition to the course itself, there are other factors to take into consideration when comparing UK universities.

University entry requirements

What grades do I need to get into university?

Before applying for university, you need to be aware that institutions set their own entry requirements for their degree courses. These vary according to the subject, the course and the university's specifications.

For instance, to study the BA English at University College London (UCL) in 2025/26, you'll need to achieve AAA at A-level (or be eligible for a contextual offer as part of the Access UCL scheme). One of the subjects must be English literature or combined with English language.

On the other hand, you'll require 112 UCAS Tariff points (BBC at A-level) for the same course at Birmingham City University. They ask for a grade C or above in English language or literature.

It's advisable to look for courses that match your predicted A-level results and check these against the entry requirements for courses of interest.

Generally speaking, universities expect you to achieve a certain number of UCAS Tariff points, in addition to holding pre-16 qualifications, such as GCSEs. These points are most commonly linked to A-levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications).

Get the lowdown on how to apply for university.

Can I get into university without A-levels?

The simple answer is 'yes,' but you may need to do some more research to find universities that consider alternative college-level qualifications or work experience for entry onto their programmes.

The University of Hull is one institution that takes into account all your qualifications and experience up to this point, not just your academic grades. For instance, as well as A-levels, they also accept:

  • BTEC diplomas
  • Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers
  • work-based or self-directed learning within the last three years.

Other routes to getting into university include taking an Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma at a further education (FE) college.

These qualifications are available in specific subjects. For instance, the Access to HE Diploma in Health Professions from the Open Study College (OSC) provides a direct pathway into degree-level nursing and midwifery courses at university.

To be eligible for the course, you need to have achieved grade 4/C in GCSE English and maths, although the Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade C) will also be considered. Read more about functional skills qualifications.

What about online degrees?

For those with work or other commitments, online degrees provide a viable alternative to the traditional university route.

As with any distance learning course, you can choose to study from anywhere, with the added flexibility of being able to arrange your studies around other things you have going on. Discover how to strike a balance between working and studying.

Your study materials are typically accessed online, and so all you need is a computer or laptop and a decent Wi-Fi connection.

A growing number of universities offer Bachelors programmes via distance learning, including:

You can also find suitable degrees through online course providers such as The Open University and FutureLearn.

As well as being able to learn at your own pace, fees for distance learning courses are often cheaper than for in-person courses.

For example, a six-year, part-time honours degree from The Open University costs 拢3,892 per year (2025/26) - 拢23,352 in total. To complete the degree within three years (full time), you'll pay 拢7,784 per year.

By studying the qualification online, you'll save just under a fifth (18%) on course fees compared to enrolling at a campus-based institution.

You can read more about online learning in general and how to choose an online learning platform.

Alternatively, you can explore bite-sized microcredentials, which can help students and workers develop new skills or even change careers.

Can I go to university as a mature student?

Yes. If you're looking to study an undergraduate course after you've turned 21 and have had a period away from full-time education, you'll now be classed as a mature student.

For Masters degrees, this relates to those over 25 at the start of their course.

According to a 2023 report from Universities UK (UUK), nearly half (48%) of undergraduates at its member institutions were classed as mature students in 2021/22.

There are many reasons why you may wish to return to education after a break, and with more flexibility than ever in terms of part-time and distance learning options, it's possible to balance your work or other commitments with your studies.

While you may hold A-levels or other qualifications that would make you eligible to apply for your first degree course, some mature students do not have anything to fall back on.

The Access to HE diploma can help to bridge that gap, while your work or life experiences will also hold you in good standing.

If you've already achieved a first degree, there's nothing stopping you from going to university as a mature student and focusing on a new subject area.

You'll apply for a full-time course through UCAS. For part-time and distance learning degrees, you need to apply to the university or college directly.

Additional financial support may be available to help with course costs and the adjustments needed to return to education. Explore this further at GOV.UK - Mature students: university and funding.

Get the lowdown on adult education and returning to college as a mature student.

Find out more

Written by Daniel Higginbotham, Senior editor

蘑菇视频黄片 · May 2025

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