Choosing The Right Degree

Some degree courses will be better for you than others but it is important to remember that, according to the University Of Dundee, around 40% of jobs available to new graduates are open to people with a degree in any subject. So, if you don't know what you want to do when you graduate, it's safe to study a subject you know you will enjoy, even if it's not one that qualifies you for a particular career.

There are, however, some careers (medicine, dentistry and architecture, for example) which it is (nearly) impossible to enter without first gaining the appropriate, directly relevant degree qualification. If you've researched your career options thoroughly and are sure you want to enter one of these fields there is clearly no point applying for any other course.

Graduate recruiters not only look at your academic capabilities but also at the soft skills you can demonstrate. Numeracy, computer literacy, critical reasoning, ability to present oral and written reports, to work individually and in teams and to absorb new knowledge and use it effectively, for example. These are becoming ever more important in the selection process and can, more than degree subject, mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful applicant, so bear this in mind when deciding.

It is also important you don't allow current employment market conditions to dictate your choice of degree subject, as these may have changed considerably by the time you graduate. Instead, choose a subject that matches your interests and abilities: you will get more benefit and enjoyment from your studies, and you might even get a better degree.

Many courses have confusing and unfamiliar titles. You will already know what History, Biology or Chemistry involve but what about Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Environmental Science, European Area Studies or Peace Studies? Most A level subjects deal with what are known as traditional disciplines. Though many universities allow you to continue studying these as pure disciplines the majority build on them, using them as a starting point to confront real problems in today's world such as industrial production, the environment, European integration and even human conflict.

The following table is designed to make you aware of and help you think about all the courses you might be interested in. Perhaps one of the A levels you are taking is particularly enjoyable and you think you'd like to study it at university. Fine, as long as you realise you are not limited to courses with the same title. Look under your A level subjects to see which university courses you will definitely or possibly be eligible for.

Art and Design/CDT
definitely
Electronic Imaging and Media Communications courses
Integrated Industrial Design
Virtual Design and Innovation
possibly
Cybernetics and Virtual Worlds
Multimedia Computing

Biology
definitely
Biomedical Sciences
Applied Ecology
Pharmaceutical Management
Physiotherapy
Bio-archaeology
Medical and Healthcare Technology courses
possibly
Medical Engineering
Environmental Science courses
Environmental Management and Technology
Optometry
Pharmacy

Business Studies
definitely
Business and Management courses
Chemistry
definitely
Chemistry courses
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Processing
Petroleum Products Engineering
Environmental Pollution Management
Biomedical Sciences
Medical and Healthcare Technology courses
Materials Technology courses
Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Management
possibly
Environmental Science courses
Environmental Management and Technology
Archaeological Sciences

Communication Studies
definitely
Electronic Imaging and Media Communications courses
Multimedia Computing
Interdisciplinary Human Studies
possibly
Electronic, Telecommunications and Computer Engineering
Cybernetics and Virtual Worlds
Technology Management courses
Virtual Design and Innovation

Computing
definitely
Computing courses
Software Engineering
Cybernetics
Electronic, Telecommunications and Computer Engineering
Electronic Imaging and Media Communications courses
Virtual Design and Innovation
possibly
Technology Management courses

Economics
definitely
Economics
Business and Management courses
Technology Management courses
European Studies courses

English
possibly
Interdisciplinary Human Studies (English)

Environmental Science
definitely
Environmental Science courses
Environmental Management and Technology
possibly
Civil Engineering

Geography
definitely
Geography and Environmental Science
European Studies courses
possibly
Archaeology courses

History
definitely
Modern European History
History with a language
possibly
Peace Studies
Archaeology

Languages
definitely
Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish)
European Studies courses (French, German, Spanish, Italian or Modern Greek)
International Management with French
possibly
Language Unit

Mathematics
possibly
All Engineering courses
Medical Engineering
Technology Management courses
Computing courses
Cybernetics courses
Virtual Design and Innovation


Media Studies
definitely
Electronic Imaging and Media Communications courses
Multimedia Computing
Cybernetics and Virtual Worlds
possibly
Interdisciplinary Human Studies

Philosophy
definitely
Interdisciplinary Human Studies (Philosophy)

Physics
definitely
All Engineering courses
Materials Technology courses
Medical Engineering
Cybernetics courses
possibly
Archaeological Sciences
Medical and Healthcare Technology courses
Optometry
Radiography

Politics
definitely
Politics courses
Peace Studies
Social Policy courses


Psychology
definitely
Interdisciplinary Human Studies (Psychology)
Applied Social Sciences (Social Psychology)

Sociology
definitely
Applied Social Sciences courses
Interdisciplinary Human Studies (Sociology)
Peace Studies
European Studies
possibly
Personnel in Technology

Technology
definitely
Technology Management courses
Medical and Healthcare Technology courses
Virtual Design and Innovation
Engineering courses with a foundation year
Chemical Processing
Computing courses
possibly
E-commerce
Cybernetics
Environmental Management and Technology

Mixed A levels
Many of you will have studied mixed A levels and will wish to retain this breadth. The courses listed below positively encourage students taking a mixture of A levels which cut across the traditional arts/sciences divide.

Technology Management/Design courses
E-commerce
Virtual Design and Innovation
Electronic Imaging and Media Communications courses
Medical and Healthcare Technology courses
Pharmaceutical Management
Archaeological Sciences
Environmental Science
Environmental Management and Technology
Cybernetics
Interdisciplinary Human Studies
Peace Studies.