Degree subject guides
TARGETcareers can help you decide what degree subject to study. If you already have a career in mind, find out which subjects will get you there. If you don’t, explore different options – we tell you what it’s like to study that subject at university and what types of jobs it could lead to.
Law degrees and beyond
Law degrees are competitive to get onto but completing a degree in law can give you sought-after skills and a good range of career options after university.
Accountancy & finance degrees and beyond
Studying accountancy and finance at university will allow you to develop an expert understanding of the roles that accountancy and finance play in business.
Economics degrees and beyond
Studying economics at university develops analytical thinking alongside a good understanding of current affairs and how society functions. It prepares you well for a wide range of careers, not only those that are finance-related.
Business degrees and beyond
Find out about different business degrees, whether studying business at university would suit you and which jobs it could lead to.
Fashion degrees and beyond
Whether you want to be a fashion designer, stylist, photographer or journalist, there are a range of degrees you can study at university so shop around for the course that best fits your career ambitions.
Engineering degrees and beyond
Whichever engineering degree you study at university, graduates can find jobs in a variety of engineering industries, while your technical expertise, problem solving and communication skills can be useful in many careers.
Sport science degrees and beyond
On a sport science degree you’ll study how the body and mind function during exercise and, after graduating, you can apply your specialist knowledge to a range of careers. You don’t need to be top of your PE class; what matters is an interest in sport and the science behind it.
Design degrees and beyond
If you have a creative flair, a design degree could lead to a career in which you can apply your artistic skills to a commercial environment. And with so many disciplines in design to choose from, including graphic design, web design and product design, you’d be hard pressed to find a course that doesn’t suit your interests.
Physics degrees and beyond
Physics degrees offer students the chance to explore and understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe, with a good range of career options after university.
Nursing degrees and beyond
When applying to do a nursing degree, you need to show that you have the right personal qualities as well as the necessary grades. Find out more about the kind of experience you need and the different specialities that you can go into.
Nine degrees you might not know about
There are hundreds of degrees on offer across the UK, so take a moment to read about some common degree choices that you might not have considered.
Alternatives to a medicine degree
If you’re thinking about studying medicine at university, it’s also worth considering these alternative degree options in specialised healthcare.
Medicine degrees and beyond
Find out about different kinds of medicine degree and the career options open to you afterwards, both in medicine and healthcare and other professions such as law.
Biology degrees and beyond
Biology is a good degree choice for keen scientists, but if you want to pursue a career in this area, for example in healthcare or research, you're likely to need to go on to further study.
Chemistry degrees and beyond
Chemistry at degree level is likely to be much more laboratory-based than at A level, and opens up a range of career options, including business as well as science.
History degrees and beyond
History tends to be well respected by employers as a challenging academic subject, and the analytical skills it develops could lead to a career in an area such as education or law.
English degrees and beyond
If you're keen to explore literature or language in depth and from different angles, English could be the subject for you. It'll also help you develop a broad range of transferable skills.
Geography degrees and beyond
Some geography degrees focus on physical geography, some specialise in human geography and others cover both aspects. Geography opens up an equally broad choice of future careers.
Maths degrees and beyond
If you have a flair for maths you are well placed to succeed in a degree that is well regarded by employers, though if you're less keen, bear in mind that it is essential for relatively few careers.
Modern languages degrees and beyond
You could opt to study one or more languages on a modern languages degree, and are likely to spend a year abroad. Find out more about how to choose and your career options as a graduate.
Psychology degrees and beyond
A psychology degree enables you to study human behaviour through essays and experiments, and opens up a range of careers as well as the option of becoming a psychologist.
Got a career in mind?
Degree choices for law careers
Do you need a law degree to work as a lawyer? Are you and your career at a disadvantage by choosing a non-law degree? We let you know.
Degree choices for business careers
You don’t always need a business degree to work in areas such as HR, sales, marketing, PR and management consultancy. Read up on employers’ requirements.
Degree choices for IT careers
What’s the difference between computer science degrees and information technology degrees? What about degrees in computing, software engineering or even artificial intelligence? Find out which IT degree to choose and how to find the right university to study it at.
Degree choices for finance careers
What do you need to consider when choosing where to go to university and what to study?
Degree choices for social work
You’ll need an undergraduate or postgraduate social work degree to become a social worker. Find out about approved courses and the topics you’ll study.
Engineering degree discipline choices
Trying to choose which engineering discipline to study at university? Find out about the different degrees available, how your choice relates to your future career and what the best bets are if you want to keep your career options open.
Comparing engineering degree courses
Once you know which engineering discipline you want to study at university, it's time to think about factors such as the level of qualification you’d like to leave with and the course structure that would suit you best.
What to study if you want to teach
Find out about degrees that include teacher training, how to choose what to study if you want to train after you graduate, and which subjects attract most funding.
Degree choices for science careers
Find out what science degrees you can study at university, from biology, chemistry and physics to biomedical or forensic science, what jobs different degrees lead to and what to consider when choosing a degree.
Degrees for photography, design & TV
Fancy a career as a photographer or media designer? How about a job in TV or radio as a producer, director, sound engineer or lighting technician? Find out the best university subjects to study.
Degrees for journalism and publishing
Do I need a degree in journalism to become a journalist? What types of publishing degrees and media studies degrees are there? Find out what to study at uni for careers involving the written word.
Hospitality and travel degrees
Find out about the subjects covered by hospitality and travel degrees, what A levels you need, what you’ll learn and how study can help your career.
Degree choices for emergency services
Do you need a degree for a career in the ambulance, fire or police services, or for a career in emergency planning? Find out what subjects to apply for.
Degree choices for public service
Find out what to study at university if you want to be in with a chance of going on to join the Civil Service Fast Stream or another graduate scheme in central or local government.
Degree choices for charity careers
What degree subject should you choose if you want to work for a charity when you graduate? And how can you use your time at university to help you in your job hunt?
