To do a degree I love instead of a degree with the best career prospects?

If you do Sociology, you'll probably get the option to do modules in gender studies, social policy, social work etc. You did at my university (Manchester) although admittedly this was 20 years ago.

You would be absolutely mad to take up a vocational degree for a job you've no intention of doing. That really would be crazy.

For many careers, a degree is a degree - it wouldn't matter what you studied as long as you did well and got good references. If you are concerned about a career you could take a joint honours, combining a 'useful' subject with an interesting subject. However, I would just do the degree I loved and focus on that for three years. If you are academic, who knows? You might go on to take an MA or a PhD.

If it's possible to change it, do it now!

Do the sociology -you could then do a 1 year SW conversion if you wanted. Or a 2 year PGDip in nursing. Or a PGCE .....basically, the BA will still open doors.

Yes, do Sociology.

I did Sociology and went into research within the Civil Service. Was well paid and interesting.

Then took a career break due to small kids and did a PGCE and went into teaching.

As I posted on your other thread -

I originally was looking at social work but my tutor convinced me that sociology and social policy would be a much more rewarding and interesting degree.

Moreover, social work is on the cusp of looking for a masters not BA in social work. This means that you may be on the back foot anyway on leaving uni so doing a wider degree then converting to a social work masters was a better option.

If you do decide to change I recommend adding social policy as it is the application of sociological and political theory therefore much more translatable into a job.

At the end of the day you have to do what you think is right, but the quicker you decide the better it will be for you.

Sociology not a professional degree?? My DD is currently doing her personal statement for a Psychology degree and we've been reading through some on-line reviewed statements for both Psychology and Sociology. My one regret career-wise was abandoning the English degree I really wanted to do in favour of a maths degree because it would be more useful in my accountancy career. Then got to the accountancy firm to find that others had done everything from English to Geography and History, and just had to do a conversion course. I'd definitely do what you love - you'll probably get a better degree because you love it.

Look at the sociology course details and checj the 'transferrable skills' if that might reasure you. Also it may well list 'destinations of our graduates'

Is your tutor from the SW course? Someone from the sociology course might say something different!

I started a vocational diploma for a career that, despite my own doubts, everyone told me I'd be good at, and that even if I didn't follow through with the career it would open doors, provide transferable skills, yadda yadda...

I crashed and burned. Spectacularly. It simply didn't suit me, and trying to study for assignments and exams that I wasn't interested in was very unpleasant. In the end I dropped out, with severe consequences to my self esteem, finances, and cv.

If you are having second thoughts about the course then listen to them. Are you able to transfer to a different degree, especially as they are related? If not, perhaps defer for another year and reconsider your options. Or give it one term and see how you feel then?

I think you should think about what sort of job you might want after graduation and work out what you would need to get that. I agree there's no point doing a vocational course in an area you're not interested in, but it's also true that employers might be (unfairly) snobby about gender studies.

But I don't want to be a social worker

That is the only part of your OP that really matters!! You have your whole life/career ahead of you!

I have a similar thread going to yours, OP.

My daughter took a Joint Honours with Film and it was absolutely amazing. It covered sociology, politics, anthropology etc - very academic (not practical film making) and very, very interesting.

I have a degree in SW. It isn't worth doing if your heart isn't in it. My DD1 did her degree in Theology (she switched from Art history) and adored it. She got a first and now works in a legal publishing company. DD2 wants to do sociology or anthropology. She is the cleverest of clever people and will probably remain in academia.

I would say to do something you love AND something you are good at (hard to know i understand but my first degree was in biochemistry which i loved but it was beyond my capability at uni and i got a rubbish grade. My second was in psychology which i excelled in then it led to my SW qualification)

The problem is most call centres, shops and restaurants are full of graduates... Don't let that sway you. Most young people have degrees both vocational and not so its s bit of a moot point.

I would always go for a dual honours if you can as you get a larger breadth of knowledge. Look at which of those is most interesting to you and run with it I say.

A degree is only achievable if you have the interest and drive to do it well.

You should do what you enjoy not what you've got a place on or sounds sensible. You won't do well if you don't enjoy it. You may not even complete it. If you don't want to be a social worker it's somewhat meaningless to get a degree in social work.
I do know the feeling though - I had an offer for oxbridge as a mature applicant but when it came down to it, I realised I wanted to do a different degree and it made no sense to spend another 3 years doing something I didn't ultimately want to do. Sure, it's been longer not accepting it and doing the different one and also with DC. But your future is the rest of your life so definitely don't do a course in something you don't completely want to do.
I find health sociology, criminology & politics quite interesting. From your options I'd do politics with it but, depends where your real interests lie. You may also find they change of course with time and reading. Good luck OP and good call.

I'm in my final year of a social work degree. If you don't love it, don't do it!

It is not an easy course. And it is very difficult to stick to 3 years of hard work when you're ultimately not committed to the course.

Pick something you truly want to do - defer for another year if necessary. Don't make a rash decision and waste the £9k student tuition fee loan :-)

Honestly follow your heart. It's hard work studying and juggling children. You won't have much time free. You'll work harder and get more out of it if you study something you're really interested in rather than grudgingly going through the motions.

Plus the point of studying is not always to get a job, sometimes it's about finding out what you are really interested in and finding opportunities you didn't know about at the start. I studied Art History, I loved it. Hardly anyone who does art history ends up working in this area though - but it doesn't mean it's wasted time or knowledge.

Fuck me, do a degree in something you love and are passionate about. Don't grind out 3 years just because it might lead to a job. I did a masters in Physics. Never used it since but don't regret one single moment!

Do a degree in what you want to, I wish I had. I know someone who has a degree in Criminology, they never had an issue getting a job. with Sociology, sounds a very interesting combo. There are enough social workers in this world, most of them seem to resent their job as it is (like many a teacher, who only do it for the vocational qualification, end up pretty bitter about it, it seems to me). Out of everyone I know who did a vocational degree - about half the people I went to uni with - only one is using their undergraduate degree and two others became teachers (I mean actually working as such, know plenty who have a PGCE and don't use it) after gaining their original degrees. Nothing is certain with University qualifications these days, even ones that promise jobs at the end.

Are you in Scotland?

My first degree was criminology and social policy with 2 modules of women's studies. I loved it but career prospects are dreadful. I did it because I didnt want to be a social worker. You end up being an unqualified social worker, and can't move up in to management because you don't have a professional qualification. And the pay in such roles is craps. So I went back to uni (8years later) and now have a master's in social work. I didn't plan to go into a social work department- I wanted to be a middle manager in the voluntary sector or such but I enjoyed my placement so much that I'm now a social worker for adults, and I absolutely love it.

If you do a social work degree you don't have to be a social worker. You can also write your assignments with a focus on an area you are interested in, such as women's studies. You get a degree and can do a number of jobs with it.

Look at the employability rates for your uni in those degrees, that will give you some indicator (although nothing is absolute).