What degree should I do?
If you are taking your GCSEs or A Levels and want to go on to study at university, you might know exactly the subject area you want to specialise in. It could be a subject you enjoy like English, history or maths, or perhaps one that you think may be more useful in the world of work, such as science or engineering.
Equally you might not be quite sure what you want to choose to study at university, and you wouldn’t be alone.
If you’re not sure, take our Personality Quiz
If you are interested in a career in construction but want some hints as to what kind of career your personality might make you suitable for, and therefore what degree to do, why not take our Personality Quiz? You are asked a series of questions (such as your favourite boxset to binge watch, or what to do in a zombie apocalypse) to reveal what personality type you are.
You could be a Fixer, the Boss or the Creative!
If you have an idea, use our Career Explorer
We have another great tool to help you find the right job in the construction industry, based on your interests, skills and qualifications. Our Career Explorer asks a series of questions across a range of categories, such as where you prefer to work, the areas of work that interest you most, your best skills and the qualifications you have.
The quiz only takes a couple of minutes and at the end you will have a construction job suggested for you. It might not be a career you had ever thought or even heard of, but it may be a job to research more. It could also help clarify your thinking about the university course to apply for.
Which degrees are most popular?
There are a number of different surveys about the most popular undergraduate courses in the UK, but the subjects that come up most regularly are: nursing, sports science, business management, law, medicine, engineering, computer science, psychology, media, and hospitality and tourism.
Which degrees cost the least?
We have to be honest – going to university is expensive. Universities in the UK are allowed to charge up to £9,250 tuition fees per year for three-year degree courses, which can leave students with debts of nearly £30,000 by the time they finish their university course. Graduates only have to start paying back the loans for tuition fees until they earn a certain level of salary.
However, there are some universities that charge lower tuition fees than this maximum level, such as the Open University.
Degree apprenticeships make the most financial sense. As they’re apprenticeships, you are paid a salary but you also get to study at university alongside the time you spend working.
Which degrees are the shortest?
Degree courses are traditionally three years in length, and some are four or longer (in the case of medicine or architecture). But you could take a two-year degree course, which are a relatively new introduction at UK universities. Universities charge the same amount of tuition fees as they would do for a three-year course, but undergraduates would save on living costs for the third year.
Which degrees offer transferable skills?
Almost every degree has some elements or skills that can be transferred to another discipline, job or subject. It could be literacy or numeracy skills, analytical thinking, presentation and communication skills, time management, organisational skills and attention to detail. Whether you are studying an arts or science subject, a vocational or academic course, it will stand you in good stead for your future career.