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I'm a bit like an AI, except instead of making pictures of people with 16 fingers, I can help you find the perfect course and uni.
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Undergraduate study opens up a whole new world of subjects beyond what you’ll have been previously studying at secondary school and sixth form. With all these choices, it can be extra hard to arrive at a decision. You may be torn between two or more subjects, or struggling to see your university path clearly, but once you separate the decision into its basic factors, it’s a lot easier to move forward.
Learn how to select the right degree subject for you.
Factors to consider
Future career goals
You might already have a clear idea of the career you want to build after leaving uni, and if this is the case then you’re in the enviable position of being able to choose the subject which provides the best preparation for getting started. In some cases, such as medical and legal professions, accountancy, teaching, or pharmacy, you’ll need an accredited qualification to begin working in the first place. If your career goals are still developing, then it may be an advantage to choose a subject which is more widely applicable so you can keep plenty of career options open to you when you graduate.
Academic strengths
It’s usually a good idea to play to your strengths, and uni applications are no different. While you should be choosing a subject that is interesting, exciting and around which you want to build a future, it doesn’t hurt to choose one which you perform well in, not least because good academic results in relevant subjects at sixth form will allow you a wider selection of courses and university options.
Interests and hobbies
The huge diversity of undergraduate degree subjects available gives you a great opportunity to combine subjects you study at A-level with interests and hobbies you have developed in your own time.
Opinions of current students
Think you know what to expect? There’s only one way to find out, and current students are already doing it, so they’re probably the best people to talk to for up-to-date info on course content and teaching methods. If you’re on the fence between choosing different subjects, then their insights might give you the confirmation you need to finalise your application. You can speak to current students at university open days or use Whatuni’s extensive online archive of student reviews to inform your decision.
Try to avoid
Copying your friends
It’s easy to do, and difficult to fix if it doesn’t work out. Ultimately, you’re making an investment in yourself and it’s a good life lesson to own your decisions. Follow your intuition about what’s right for you, and even consider gaining some more experience and applying to university when you’re more confident about what you want to study. It’s a significant life choice and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Letting your family or teachers pressure you
Your family and teachers may have their own reasons for wanting you to study a particular course, but just remember that the course has to be right for you, not just your family. On the one hand, these are the people who know you well, however it can be a fine line between taking someone’s advice and following their expectations. If you’re hesitating between choosing different subjects, then current students can be really helpful to ask, since they have first-hand experience, and are unbiased in terms of your personal decision to pursue the subject.
Narrowing down your options
Use the Final 5 tool
Whatuni has developed a super handy online tool which you can find in the 'My Final 5' section of your profile. You can add, replace, and re-enter your top five degree choices, and easily compare and contrast different aspects of the courses side-by-side, such as UCAS entry points, dropout rates, employment rates, and the average salary for graduates. University rankings from the annual Whatuni Student Choice Awards are also displayed, alongside student review information.
Attending open days
There are so many reasons why this is a good idea. In fact, we’ve written a series of articles about how to prepare for and make the most of your open day experiences. You can see the academic facilities first-hand, as well as getting a general feel for the campus. Speaking with professors and current students is one of the best ways to gain an insight into the daily reality of studying your chosen subject, and you can ask all the questions you need to feel confident in your decision.
Making pros and cons list
It’s a simple exercise, and still one of the best. Having everything laid out on one page can make things a lot clearer, especially when you’ve got two or more attractive options to choose between.
Using Career Matcher to see what careers and therefore subjects might be a good fit
Whatuni’s Career Matcher offers quick assessments of either 30 or 60 questions to assess which industries and roles align best with your interests. You can use this as a starting point to think about degree subjects, or test whether your current subject choice is a good match.
