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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

226 replies

Vitalic · 19/08/2017 08:51

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

OP posts:
watchingthedetectives · 20/08/2017 09:21

Definitely no to medicine
You will struggle to get in with a 2:2
You will be 45/46 when you qualify and have 9-10 years as a junior Dr - more if you you do research (which is necessary for any of the more competitive/well paid hospital specialities.)
You will have to move around a lot in the early years which will be difficult and disruptive for your daughter
If you go part time flexible trainees are paid proportionately less and the training is obviously longer
The pensions are not what they were and you will only have a few years to accrue
Would avoid

NewYorkthisXmas · 20/08/2017 09:28

Not all IB require crazy 100+ hour weeks. If you did trading then perhaps but something like analysis has more normal hours.

Plus, IB recruit from target universities and you would be expected to have a 2:1 even if you have a masters.

How old are you? IB like to recruit young people especially on to their grad schemes and internships.

As you didnt study economics or maths then your chances are pretty slim so investing banking is out of the question for you sorry. I dont know why anyone even suggested IB.

Bambamrubblesmum · 20/08/2017 09:36

How old are you?

What do you consider a lot of money?

What childcare arrangements do you have?

Where do you live? Would you relocate?

What's your risk acceptance level?

A lot more to it than just qualifications

pioneergirl · 20/08/2017 09:41

Dentistry. It's lucrative. You are not on call. The world will always need dentists and cosmetic dentistry is increasingly in demand. It's a safe bet for your investment.
If that doesn't appeal...
My Osteopath charges £70 for 45 mins. He's fully booked weeks in advance. He must be making upwards of 100k per year. I don't know how much you want to earn... Also advantage of being self employed and setting own hours etc. That's worth alot.
Just ideas..... felt you needed some alternatives to accountancy...

Coconutspongexo · 20/08/2017 10:00

To do dentistry the chances are you'd have to do foundation to dentistry due to having been out of education for so long and then they still might not take you due to having a previous degree at a 2.2 you would also have to self fund.

It's unlikely you'd get on a postgrad dentistry course.

lljkk · 20/08/2017 13:34

Dentistry course is very very competitive to get onto.

crikeycrumbsblimey · 20/08/2017 13:47

If you are from U.K.

As someone who worked in universities - check the fees and costs for second ugrad degrees. Fees used to be unregulated if you already have a degree so could well be more than you are expecting. There are some exceptions but you have to put a v good case to get an exception

I'm amongst those who think second ug is bad idea - apart from the heavily vocational courses. They can be seen as a way of putting off real life in your CV.

If you have a science UG go to a specialist recruiter and see what suggestions they have.

Alanna1 · 20/08/2017 13:58

You should talk to a careers advice, and also think about the hours you want to work with DC too. Sounds to me like accountancy / financial services could suit you if your maths is as good as you suggest. You could also look at doing a good MBA, though with a 2:2 that might be harder.

thingsthatgobumpinthenightouch · 20/08/2017 14:14

Quantity surveying opens a lot of doors.

alig99 · 20/08/2017 17:38

Engineering particularly Fire. There is a huge number of well paid jobs out there once qualified. All firms are head hunting staff salaries almost yours to conan with benefits. 5 year degree course.

tryinghardnottocry · 20/08/2017 17:54

I did ACCA - its a lot lot easier than Chartered I did it full time at a Polytechnic after leaving school with 2 a levels grade E in the early 1990's where for the first 2 years they internally assessed the exams and gave massive hints before. The final bit was hard as those exams were externally set, failed it badly for two years...had a rest and bingo I passed..only just

If I am honest I have little respect for the ACCA body, it does not have the same gravitas as Chartered but if I am honest I wouldnt have passed Chartered

The internally set exams were very easy when compared to the external papers

Made sure I did nothing naughty for 2 years and remained alive and was made up to a FCCA

Open lots of doors and I work part time and get paid very well indeed. I had to have the qualification after my name to be interviewed it is that brutal

SingSling50 · 20/08/2017 17:59

If money is the driver - can the degree, focus on something you are passionate about and work on a way to commercialize it.

No one gets rich working for others .....

BR62Y · 20/08/2017 18:19

Sales. You don't even need a degree. I have come across recruitment consultants earning £200k a year. It's ruthless and not very satisfying but selling pays big money if you are good at it.

elenafrancesca · 20/08/2017 18:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

Radyward · 20/08/2017 18:33

Become an optometrist -4 yr degree. Major shortage 65k and up at the moment in the uk.
A friend earns 350-400 pounds a day. No long hours etc rarely does weekends unless she wants to to earn extra and is London based .

AndromedaPerseus · 20/08/2017 18:35

I'd do medical sales which can be financially lucrative if you're good at it. The pros are you already have a relevant background and will receive training from the company so avoiding having to get further qualifications.

xmb53 · 20/08/2017 18:51

Think about a Masters degree.... It is a good way of switching direction and the entry requirements are usually not onerous, unless it is very maths orientated or science orientated. I made the move from Sociology (which I did for interest) and has led to a great career.

Huppopapa · 20/08/2017 18:52

Dentistry

carrotcakecupcake · 20/08/2017 18:57

DH did economics then his ACA with a top ten firm (not in London). He is now a partner with a mid sized firm and we are comfortable. I also work but have the luxury of working reduced hours.
When I was made redundant a few years ago I looked into ACCA, but it would have been a complete career change for me, and I wasn't ready to give up on perusing a career in my chosen field (biological sciences).
I think accountancy can be very suitable for mothers; DHs office has a huge number of women who are responsible for child care and they are able to work flexibly to accommodate this.

ThomasRichard · 20/08/2017 18:59

Quantity surveying. A chap I was dating was earning a 6-figure salary less than 5 years out of university.

Orangebird69 · 20/08/2017 19:10

ThomasRichard yep, same as my DH.

BornAgainScorpion · 20/08/2017 19:21

xmb53

What did you do your masters in? I have a Psychology and feel my prospects are low at the moment.

OP do you have money for a masters? Someone suggested an MBA but when I checked a few universities, the courses were in the range of 20-50k. I think you can get a 10k loan from student finance but that is supposes to cover tuition AND living costs.

NannyRed · 20/08/2017 19:40

A pharmacy degree if you want medicine with decent hours , will pay something like £60k it's not bad if you enjoy chemistry and maths.

Binkybix · 20/08/2017 20:10

It's not big bucks but consider the civil service fast stream - start on about £25k but you should be up to high £40ks or just above £60k in about 4 years. A 2.2 with no further study should do it if you can pass the various assessment centres etc. If you focus on something more technical than policy making - e.g. procurement you could earn more. They will also pay for things like CIMA if you make the right contacts.

Rennie23 · 20/08/2017 21:31

Read the book 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' it will tell you everything you need to know about making money.
It's a fantastic book.