MyUniChoices

What degree should I do? How to choose the right course

With thousands of degree courses to choose from, it helps to work through the decision in steps:

• Start with what you enjoy and do well. You will study your subject for three or four years, so pick one that genuinely interests you and suits your strengths.
• Think about your career plans. Some careers, such as medicine, dentistry or architecture, need a specific degree. Many others accept graduates from any subject, so you have more freedom than you might think.
• Look beyond the course title. Two courses with the same name can be very different. Compare the modules, how the course is taught and assessed, and whether it offers a placement or a year abroad.
• Check the entry requirements. Look at the grades and the subjects each course asks for, including any required A level subjects, and compare them with your predicted grades.
• Look at graduate outcomes. See what graduates of a course go on to do, for example on Discover Uni.

Types of degree

• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc, BEng and others): the most common undergraduate degree. Bachelor degrees usually last three or four years full-time.
• BA or BSc? A BA (Bachelor of Arts) is usually awarded in arts, humanities and social sciences, and a BSc (Bachelor of Science) in sciences. Some subjects are offered as either, depending on the course content. Neither is better: choose the course, not the letters.
• Sandwich degree: a bachelor’s degree with a placement year in industry as part of the course.
• Integrated master’s: an undergraduate course that continues for an extra year (or more), so you finish with a master’s degree.
• Joint or combined honours: study two or more subjects in one degree.
• Foundation degree: usually two years, equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
• Foundation year: usually a one-year course to prepare you for a degree, standalone or as part of one.

Source: UCAS. You can also compare university with degree apprenticeships, which combine a degree with a paid job.

Which degrees offer the best career prospects?

There is no single best degree. Vocational degrees such as medicine, nursing, teaching or engineering lead directly to a profession, while subjects such as history, maths or economics open doors to many careers. Graduate outcomes depend on the subject, the university and what you do alongside your studies, such as work experience. Choose a degree you will do well in, then check the outcomes for that specific course.

Can I change my degree after starting university?

Often, yes, especially in the first year, if the university agrees and you meet the entry requirements for the new course. Talk to your department as early as possible. If you change course or university, tell your student finance provider, because it can affect your funding.

How MyUniChoices helps students choose a degree

• Students answer 150 questions, which take about 30 minutes, to highlight the degree areas that suit their interests and abilities.
• They get instant, personalised course recommendations from 48,800+ courses from 772 institutions, including UK, Irish and overseas options.
• They can compare courses and institutions, filter by entry requirements and location, and shortlist their favourites.
• Degree Course Descriptions, covering 110+ subject areas and written by university academics, explain what studying each subject involves.
• The Personal Statement Planner and a university checklist help with UCAS, CAO and overseas applications.

MyFutureChoice is a UCAS partner, with course data from CAO and EUNiCAS. MyUniChoices is taken through schools and colleges. Students can also read our guides to choosing a university and to the UCAS personal statement questions.

Is 40% a fail at university?

At most UK universities, 40% is the pass mark for undergraduate modules, so 40% is usually a pass, not a fail. Check your own university’s regulations.