Choosing your subject

For many people, choosing the subject or subjects that they wish to study is a simple matter; they choose their favourite school subject.    But there are many subjects available at university that will be completely new to you and it is worth spending a few minutes using the UCAS subject search facility to find out what else is available.

 

Below, there are:

• Some ideas to start you thinking if you don’t know what you want to study at university.
• Some notes for those who are interested in applying for Medicine, Music, Nursing and Midwifery and for Art and Design.

 

There are some common misconceptions

 

It is hard to get a job if you have a non-vocational degree, such as History or English.

In fact, about 40% of job vacancies are available to graduates in any field. Many employers are not looking for any specific body of knowledge but for a range of employment skills, such as academic ability, problem solving ability, communication skills, initiative and determination - all qualities that are needed to obtain a degree in any subject. However, if you know what career you wish to pursue, do research whether a degree in a particular discipline would be an advantage.

 

Vocational courses tie you in to a specific career.

There is, of course, a tendency for this to be true.  But many graduates who do take vocational degrees go on to employment in other areas. A surprising number of graduates of engineering eventually become accountants, and many graduates of subjects like Law and Psychology do not become lawyers or psychologists, but use their degrees to enter a wide range of other careers, such as journalism, management, teaching etc.

 

A degree guarantees entry to a career

Having a degree does not guarantee anyone a job. Success in the job market is increasingly about the quality of the degree and, more importantly, the quality of the applicant. Success or failure in finding employment on graduation is often determined by the motivation and personality of the applicant. However it is true that the majority of graduates find employment within six months of graduation.  And a degree in some vocational subjects is far more likely to lead to a job than others.  For example, there is a huge national shortage for many health professions, such as midwifery, nursing, dentistry and radiography.

Another thing to consider is the need for higher level qualifications before entry to some careers is possible.  For example, a first degree in Psychology is only the first step along the path to becoming a professional Psychologist, which usually requires a Ph.D.  Similarly, to become a Solicitor requires more then just a degree; graduates then have to take a one year full time or two year part time Legal Practice Course and then have to go on to a two year training contract.  About 45% of university graduates now go on to further study, either at Master’s degree or Diploma standard.

 

What if I have no idea what subject to study?

Do I have a subject in which I have a really strong interest? 

You will be studying for at least three years.  Are you sure that you are that interested in one subject?

What if you are unsure that you really have sufficient interest in a subject? 

• you could study more than one subject, or do a combined degree.
• you could get hold of some university level books to look at – the school library can help here.
• you could talk to someone that is studying that subject now – we might be able to suggest names.
• you could, if appropriate, do some work experience.

 

Do I study a new subject or one that I have already studied?

The main problem with a new subject is knowing that you really do find it interesting.  All the points above apply.

However, there are many new subjects that you can consider and this is a real opportunity to look outside the fairly narrow confines of the school curriculum. 

• In the social sciences, for example, there is psychology, sociology, philosophy and anthropology. 
• In humanities, such subjects as law, development studies, politics, peace studies and war studies, European Studies, American Studies etc.
• In the sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, marine sciences, anatomy and so on.

 

Do I study for vocational or non-vocational degree?

Many vocational degrees tend to have lower unemployment rates (but not all – there are many more graduates than career opportunities in subject like media studies, horse studies, sport studies etc.).

• They are fine so long as you are certain that this is the career that you want, but there is a tendency to be locked them into that career.  However, this is not always true; for example, many graduates of law, engineering and psychology make their careers outside those subject areas.

 

How competitive is entry to the subject?

For some subjects, entry grades are very high.  Medicine is almost all AAB, so is Veterinary Science (and sometimes AAA).  Law at any ‘redbrick’ university requires at least ABB or higher, though it can, of course, be taken at institutions whose requirements are more modest.  Likewise, most universities want an A grade in English to read English.  There are a few universities that will accept a B, but very little below that.  The key point here is that you must be realistic.

 

How useful will the subject be in the employment market?

Not everyone is concerned about this, but, as the cost of a university education increases, so students are more likely to consider it.  One of the degrees with the highest unemployment rate is philosophy – but our advice is that if this is want you want to do then do it, but understand that there are few jobs that relate to it.  Equally, engineering has a very low unemployment rate – but we would not advise a student to do it just for that; interest must come first.

 

So, where do I start?

There are several things you can do:

• Browse through the University Big Guide, which lists all the courses that are available in Britain.  Or use the subject search facility on the UCAS website.
• Do the Stamford Test on the UCAS website.
• Do the Centigrade programme.  Details are sent to parents of Lower Sixth form students in the Christmas mailing.