How do I choose which degree to study?
Work backwards from what you want to do and learn. Pick a few areas of work that interest you, find the subjects that lead to them, then compare real courses on content, entry requirements, cost and outcomes.
Keep the shortlist small. Two to four related subjects is enough to compare properly.
- List the subjects you enjoy now and the kinds of problems you like solving
- Choose two or three types of work you want to understand better
- Find the degree subjects linked to that work, and whether any are required
- Read module lists and assessment methods for real courses
- Check entry requirements, costs and historical graduate outcomes
- Talk to students, graduates or people doing the job if you can
Should I choose a degree for the career or for the subject I enjoy?
Ideally both. Some careers need a specific degree, but many graduate roles are open to people from different subjects, and a degree is a long commitment, so real interest in the subject matters.
Careers such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, social work and architecture have professional registration requirements. For these, check with the professional body that a course leads to registration before you apply.
For work in areas such as business, marketing, media or policy, employers often look at skills and experience as well as your subject. Work experience, projects and placements can matter alongside the course title.
What should I compare between degree subjects?
Compare what you would study, how you would be assessed, the skills you would build and where graduates of the subject go. A short table for each subject makes the differences clear.
| Factor | What to look for | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Core and optional modules in each year | University programme pages |
| Assessment | The balance of exams, coursework, projects and practical work | Programme or module pages |
| Skills | Numerical, writing, lab, design or people skills | CourseToJob subject pages |
| Work experience | Placements, a year in industry or practice hours | Programme pages and admissions |
| Accreditation | Whether it leads towards a professional qualification | The professional body and the university |
| Entry requirements | Grades and any required subjects | Programme pages and UCAS |
| Graduate outcomes | Historical earnings and employment for the subject | CourseToJob graduate salaries table |
Which degrees lead to the best jobs and salaries?
No degree guarantees a job or a salary. Official data does show large differences by subject: five years after graduating, median earnings ranged from £22,000 to £59,900 across detailed subjects with at least 100 graduates (DfE LEO, tax year 2023–24).
The highest five-year medians were dentistry (£59,900), medicine (non-specific) at £56,400, engineering (non-specific) at £52,300 and economics (£51,200). The lowest included creative arts and design (non-specific) at £22,000, art (£23,800) and dance (£24,500). Psychology graduates had a median of £22,700 one year after graduating and £29,600 after five; computer science graduates had £31,500 after one year.
These are historical medians for UK-domiciled graduates. They are not adjusted for entry grades, region or the kinds of jobs people choose, so use them to compare subjects, not to predict your own pay.
Which subjects do I need for the degree I want?
It depends on the course. Some degrees ask for particular subjects and grades, while others accept a wide range, so check real courses before you finalise the subjects you take before university.
UCAS’s own example of a conditional offer names grades, a required subject and further science or mathematics subjects. Check courses in areas such as medicine, engineering, economics, mathematics and the sciences early, because missing a required subject can rule you out.
If you are applying from outside the UK, check how the university treats your qualification before you apply.
Is a degree apprenticeship a good alternative to university?
It can be, if you know the kind of job you want and prefer learning at work. On an apprenticeship in England you are an employee earning a wage, with at least 20% of your normal working hours for training, and a degree apprenticeship is equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
UCAS describes degree apprenticeships as a way to gain a degree while getting industry experience and earning a salary. To start an apprenticeship in England, you must be 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate systems.
There are trade-offs. You apply for a specific job with a specific employer, and you commit to one occupation earlier. A full-time degree gives you more time to explore before you specialise.
How do I narrow down my UCAS choices?
For 2027 entry you can choose up to five courses for one £34.50 UCAS fee (UCAS, checked 25 September 2026). Because one personal statement goes to all your choices, closely related subjects are easier to write for.
The personal statement asks why you want to study the subject, how your studies have prepared you and what else you have done to prepare. If your choices cover very different subjects, it is hard to answer those questions convincingly for all of them.
- Include courses with a range of entry requirements
- Check each course’s modules, not just its title
- Note any course with a 15 October deadline
- Save your shortlist and compare it side by side
What mistakes should I avoid when choosing a degree?
The biggest mistakes are choosing on a course title or salary figure alone, and not reading what the course actually involves.
- Assuming a course title tells you what you will study
- Choosing only on a salary median
- Leaving required subjects until it is too late to take them
- Forgetting to check accreditation for a professional career
- Not considering apprenticeships, foundation years or part-time study
- Copying a friend’s choice without checking your own fit
Frequently asked questions
What is the best degree to get a job in the UK?
There is no single best degree. Official LEO data shows the highest five-year median earnings in subjects such as dentistry, medicine, engineering and economics, but these figures describe past graduates and are not adjusted for entry grades or region. The best degree for you is one you can do well in that leads towards work you want.
Does my degree subject matter for graduate jobs?
For careers with professional registration, such as medicine or nursing, it matters a great deal because you need an approved course. For many other graduate roles, employers also look at skills and work experience. Check the entry routes for the specific job you want.
Should I choose a degree based on salary?
Salary data is useful, but use it as one input. Earnings vary widely within every subject, and the figures describe past graduates, not your future. Interest, entry requirements, costs and the kind of work you want matter too.
Can I change my degree subject after starting university?
Sometimes. Each university has its own rules on transferring between courses. Ask before you enrol how transfers work, and check how a change would affect your fees and funding.
How many degree subjects should I shortlist?
Two to four related subjects is usually enough to compare properly. For UCAS, you can then choose up to five courses, which can be the same subject at different universities or closely related subjects.
How does CourseToJob help me choose a degree?
CourseToJob connects degree subjects to career paths, skills and official graduate earnings from DfE LEO data. It is independent, does not rank universities and does not assess your eligibility. Always confirm course details with the university.