To ask the best degree to do in order to earn the most

[Vitalic]

I've never been money-oriented and did a degree in my twenties in a very specific subject that interested me but which is never going to earn me much money. I only got a 2:2 plus it's such a specific subject I'd be surprised if it would get me into an MSc in anything useful.

I currently work to support myself and young dd in a field unrelated to my degree and in which there is no potential for progression or promotion.

I'm now completely sick of being poor and want to retrain in something that will earn enough for us to be comfortably off.

I have enough saved plus can get a career development loan to fund another undergraduate degree.

Please could anyone advise me what I should be looking at in order to get the most well-paid job possible following this? I have a BSc, am pretty good at maths, have good communication skills and lots of experience in various fields.

I was considering med school and scored well in practice GAMSAT exams - these aim to assess your capability in a variety of areas so I guess that's a good indication that I could potentially do well in various types of studies/jobs.

Would be very grateful for any advice

Thanks everyone

FWIW, My husband (now separated) quit his degree and trained himself up as a Software Developer. He earns 65K + now and is managing. With No degree.

Economics or IT. If you're good at maths you could earn a LOT of money by getting into areas like Blockchain and cryptocurrencies now. Take a look at some Blockchain courses on udemy.com to find out more about it if the word is new to you (it was new to me until quite recently!!).

I've just started a course in this area and while I don't expect to be a developer which is where the real money is (70 - 100k+) - unlike you, I don't have a knack for maths - there is room for non-development consulting in the field.

I would look to avoid anything related to computing and programming.

The field is very diluted at the moment, and companies are offshoring more and more of their IT needs.

It's 7 years to qualify as an architect, and not every architect makes a lot (grew up with one :) ). Architecture is very affected by property slumps and recessions. Property development is risky.

I'm 39 so really pushing it for medicine although I know an f2 doctor in his late 50s.
It's sad and frustrating because that's what my heart is telling me to do and I know the med degree itself would be fine, it's the first few years as a junior doctor that would be possibly (probably) too hard.

So many interesting suggestions though - architecture for one. Also interested in computer science and wouldn't mind being an accountant or actuary.

My BSc was so specific that it'd actually be outing to say what it was, but it included modules in biochemistry, pharmacology, pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology, business studies, botany, counselling skills, clinical examination amongst others!

Chemical engineers do very well.

Physics, engineering, accountancy

The people who I went to uni with who earn the most (including myself in this list) did those subjects.

I'm a GP and have only just broken the 60k mark, 12 years since starting training. I've never had a career break, mat leave or worked part time. My husband is a solicitor and earns a lot more than me, but you have to be confident you'll get into a good firm.
You don't say how old you are but if you're thinking of coming to medicine slightly later in life you may not be earning over your desired threshold for many years - and it's very possible you'll never make the higher ranges you mentioned.

astoundedgoat interesting

Another vote for not medicine.

The salary is fairly standard with less variability (unless you're a top plastic surgeon with loads of private work) which is probably why it averages highly, but it's definitely not the best paid and most Doctors don't earn that highly.

I know city lawyers, bankers and people "in the city" on about 10 times+ the salary of all my medic friends.

It/software engineering etc

I earn really good 3 figures plus bonus/shares etc

It's also flexible in terms of working at home etc and craves women as it still very male dominated. I get head hunted a lot just because I am a women.

jeaux90 I think I'm leaning towards that more than anything

Depending on where you live and on what your first degree is in, there are some pretty good graduate apprenticeships out there. Starting salary isn't amazing (around £20-£25k), but you do at least get paid. Some schemes fund an MSc. I don't believe a 2:2 would be a bar - you do however need to submit a good application and perform well at interview.

If you're doing it purely for the money, then would definitely say nothing to do with medicine/dentistry etc (you're not in it for the right reasons).

Accountant/economics etc sounds good choices.

I'm not sure I agree with rjay - at least not in all areas of IT. In at least some, the trend is to bring development back in-house. Additionally, a fair bit of development and other IT work cannot take place outside of certain geographic areas for security reasons.

Ok OP so there are many different roles though and also you can work in house or you work for a vendor. Maybe with your background you can look at an area where your experience is relevant too.

The other great thing about this sector is you are never off a learning curve just because tech is always developing.

In vendors (Microsoft/cisco etc) there are always so many different roles. Consulting, sales, engineering

The big money is on client sales/services

In house there are also loads of different roles. Design/operations/delivery and of course project management.

You also have the option to contract longer term too.

It probably the most varied/more options out of the high earning categories.

I am now 45 and loved my career and as a single mum it was my saviour in so many ways.

Good luck!

7 years for a degree in architecture, yes... but most jobs in architecture don't require a degree and many people don't bother studying for that long. DH didn't and is a layout designer (as well as being able to do technical work and designs extensions, one off houses etc etc - there is a lot of variety) their practice outsources work to people during busy periods and you can pick up decent money on the side by doing these foreigners. All you need is the software (and a lot of experience, obviously!)
I do agree with the risky part of it though. Although the property market always recovers and he has never been out of work - even through a recession

I also disagree with rjay. Been in the business 25 years and yes there are some off shoring but it hasn't diluted the industry

DH works for a very large company that pay well. They are becoming more and more keen on people that do higher level apprenticeships rather than degrees. At the end of the apprenticeship, they have employees that already know how to do the job, rather than have to train up graduates.

Vitalic a lot of vendors have specific vertical markets in the health industry so your back ground might be relevant if you want to use it

Not an LLB

23 years after graduating I am not even on £40k!

Quantity surveyor. Easy path into commercial management. Money for old rope frankly.

The other great thing about this sector is you are never off a learning curve just because tech is always developing.

This, 100%. And yy to exploiting the medical/biology stuff you already have as part of your degree.

I'm so glad I asked this question here, it's been so helpful. Thank you very much to everyone who's replied