The choice of degree to study can have a huge bearing on the rest of your life. So, choose wisely, and it could open the door to your dream job when you graduate; make a bad decision, and you risk severely damaging your job prospects.
Picking the right subject is even more important given the cost of a university education. Right now, undergraduates face a perfect storm of eye-watering living costs and high-interest loans – and many of today’s students will never pay off what they owe.
To help you on your way, Telegraph Money has compiled a list of the five “most employable UK degrees” – those subjects renowned for securing a job after graduation, unlocking brilliant career prospects, and offering impressive earnings potential.
1. Medicine
With options that could lead you to a career as a medical consultant, surgeon, cardiologist, neurologist, GP or similar, medicine continues to be one of the most employable degrees. This is not just because of the NHS’s ongoing demand for qualified staff but because the pathway is so structured, according to Simon Fabb, chief executive of jobs board Chief Jobs.
Getting on a medicine course typically requires strong A-level results in sciences, especially chemistry and biology, as well as university clinical aptitude test (Ucat) admissions tests. You also need high grades in your GCSEs.
Degrees are longer than standard undergraduate courses, and can take around five years to complete. Once you’ve got this, students typically enter two years of foundation training. There’s likely to be further training after this too, depending on the specialism you choose – for example, you can expect a further three years of training if you want to become a GP.
Mr Fabb said: “The career path is long and intense, but the job security and range of specialisms available after graduation make it a consistent choice for employability.”
2. Computer science
Computer science has surged in popularity thanks to the sheer volume of roles it can lead to across tech, finance, healthcare and beyond. It is incredibly buoyant and artificial intelligence (AI), automation and data are fuelling this.
Applicants for a computer science degree will usually need A-levels in maths or computing. The courses tend to be practical and project-based and may involve developing your own software. Some courses will also allow you to tailor modules to suit the career you want to target, whether that’s data science, cyber security or even games development – and some also include a work placement year to give you first-hand experience of the job.
Demand for specialists in AI, machine learning and cybersecurity continues to outstrip supply across every industry, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the modern economy.”
“With the exponential growth in technology, both in business and our everyday lives, it’s unsurprising that technology roles are in high demand.”
3. Economics
A degree in economics can open doors to all sorts of jobs, including banking, consultancy, policy and even tech.
Courses tend to mix theory with stats-heavy analysis, and you’ll be taught how this applies to real-world political and social examples. Some courses will come with an option to have a year’s work placement or the option to study abroad, and the skills you learn can be valuable in the workplace.
“Graduates with solid numeracy and a good understanding of markets are usually in demand across a range of sectors.”
According to graduate career resource Prospects, there are 13 career options directly linked to an economics degree – including becoming a statistician, an actuary or a stockbroker – and a further 11 jobs where having a degree in economics is useful, such as a data scientist, policy officer and getting on the civil service fast stream. Alternatively, you could opt to work in financial or business management, or many other related fields.
4. Engineering
Engineering remains a reliable degree for employment and particularly civil, mechanical and electrical specialisms. Students typically need strong maths and physics A-levels, with further maths if that’s an option at your school.
Engineering covers a wide spectrum of topics and most courses will allow you to tailor your modules to focus on the areas you’re most interested in. This can include mechanical engineering, bioengineering and aerospace and aero-thermal engineering, to name just a few.
An engineering degree often involves a placement year, which makes the subject especially popular with employers because it shows candidates have workplace experience.
Engineering skills are in high demand across various industries – from automotive to nuclear engineering roles. As a result, there’s big earnings potential if you’re willing to put the work in.
5. Law
A law degree can be a strong choice for students who want a structured pathway into a respected profession. It’s a career that can come with a lot of prestige – but a lot of responsibility, too.
Entry usually requires high grades, but not necessarily specific A-level subjects (though English is often helpful). Courses generally cover the basic foundations and then branch off into more specific modules, such as commercial law, human rights and intellectual property law.
Law degrees can take three years to complete and you could then go on to take the solicitor’s qualifying exam or bar practice course. A law qualification is a direct link to careers you’d expect, such as a barrister, solicitor and paralegal – but it can also be useful if you want to become a detective, mediator or trading standards officer, according to Prospects.
“Law degrees are rigorous and analytical and, even if graduates do not go on to become solicitors or barristers, the degree is still valued in corporate roles, compliance, and policy.”
