With so many university courses to choose from, deciding what to study for your undergraduate degree isn’t always a quick and easy process. First, the subject that you decide to study at university is going to be the biggest choice you make and will determine the type of qualification that you are hoping to achieve.
What undergraduate qualifications can you get?
A bachelor’s degree is the most popular undergraduate higher education route, and you can choose from all subject disciplines, including the law, history, health, environmental sciences, and psychology. Most bachelor’s degrees will take between three and four years when you study full-time.
You will be assessed through a combination of assignments, exams, and group projects. Some degrees give you the chance to spend a year studying abroad or working in the industry.
You can also get shorter undergraduate courses including a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), or National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). You might find that a vocational qualification is the better choice for you depending on what type of career you want to get into in the future.
Choosing the right degree subject
If you have decided that you want to go to university to pursue a bachelor’s degree, then one of the first decisions that you are going to make is the subject that you want to focus on. If you have a particular career in mind already, such as law, nursing, or journalism, then you should easily be able to find the course that you want for undergraduate study in the UK.
However, as a university undergraduate, you will also have access to a wide range of courses that can lead to many different career opportunities. The best thing to do is search for undergraduate courses and do your research to see which options lead to the career you are most interested in. Check out the undergrad courses at Stirling University. Stirling University is based in Scotland and offers a range of flexible degree courses that are designed to get students into their chosen careers.
How to narrow down your options
If you are torn between different possibilities when it comes to your future career or has a general idea of what you would like your future career to be without having a specific role in mind, then choosing the right undergraduate degree for you might not always be as easy. It is a good idea to take the time to ask yourself some important questions, including which subjects you enjoy the most and which subjects you are good at, to help you get a better idea of what might be an ideal choice for you. Start to think about potential career options that you might not have considered before now.
Determine if you are interested in any subjects that you have studied before, for example at school or Sixth form, or whether you are interested in learning something completely new at university. It is also worth considering which degree programmes are most employable. Bear in mind that many graduate jobs and graduate programmes simply require candidates to have a degree, and the discipline does not always matter.
What grades do you need to get into university?
Before you apply for an undergraduate degree course at the university of your choice, it is important to know there are usually entry requirements set for each degree course. The requirements can vary depending on the university that you want to study at, the course you’ve chosen, and the subject.
If you are currently studying for your A-Levels or an equivalent qualification, it’s a good idea to look for and apply to courses that match your predicted results. In general, universities in the UK will expect you to have gained a certain number of UCAS Tariff points, along with some GCSEs.
Do you need A-Levels to get into university?
In short, no, you don’t need to have A-Levels to get into university, but you may need to research equivalent options that you can get instead. Some universities take all your qualifications and experience into account when applying to university rather than just looking at your grades.
Mature students who have decided to go to university later in life may also be more likely to get into some universities with their work and life experience so far through Alternative Entry Schemes. If you want to get into university but do not have A-Levels, one good option to consider is an Access to Higher Education course, which is available in specific subjects and designed to prepare you specifically to get into university for your chosen subject.
Getting an undergraduate degree can be the first step toward achieving your career dreams. Whether you’re currently getting A-levels or are considering going to uni later in life, knowing how to choose the right course for you is an important place to start.