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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Particularly fantastic less-conventional undergrad degree courses

211 replies

Delphigirl · 03/07/2021 17:20

I would be really interested in hearing what people think are really interesting and perhaps less considered degree courses available to undergrads at UK universities. I don’t really mean a list of unis that people thinks are great for chemistry, but rather those slightly niche courses run in fantastic departments that maybe people don’t generally know even exist, or in any event are outside the usual A level departments.

So I’m thinking of, for example, War Studies at Kings College London - internationally renowned, different to what you might think of from the name, highly attractive to employers.
I would add Landscape Architecture at Sheffield - the best course in the UK, probably in Europe, a jewel of a department with fabulous teaching and cameraderie, extremely high employment rates, probably not thought about by kids who re attracted by architecture but arguably can lead to a better paid and more fulfilling career.
Also Oceanography at Southampton - world-leading and world-respected, broad ranging multidisciplinary science/geography/ and environmental degree leading to a number of different careers, becoming more topical by the day re climate change.

Or

I’m sure there are lots of others - what degrees/departments can you recommend which are out of the ordinary run of things, for our kids to think about? Particularly hearing from employers who hire out of particular courses - what makes those kids so employable?

OP posts:
SingingSands · 24/06/2022 16:17

The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics is at Strathclyde University.

The course combines anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and materials.

It's a four year course with a final year in placement and excellent graduate recruitment due to the small numbers graduating.

JosephineGrundy · 25/06/2022 07:35

Yes, you can also do Prosthetics and Orthotics at Salford. Great degree and achievable grades for many, BBB.

HannahDefoesTrenchcoat · 25/06/2022 09:23

Another nice BBB course is Orthoptics - treating eye movement disorders, at Liverpool, Sheffield or Glasgow Caledonian.

Butterfly44 · 25/06/2022 09:59

Really great thread....so much out there!!!

HerTableLaid · 26/06/2022 10:49

bundle · 04/10/2021 22:37

There’s a BA in Contour Fashion at De Montfort Uni, the only degree in lingerie/swimwear etc

I used to lecture there, and if you were meeting the VC for something, the boardroom (which had changing displays from various degrees) would periodically have arrays of fabulously abstruse bras, bustiers and corsets. Grin

Bowbridge · 24/08/2022 18:35

Bump

DreadlocksMadeMeHappy · 25/08/2022 10:00

Food safety, inspection and control at Coventry university. You're a qualified food safety officer at the end of it. You can work in a local authority, the food industry or set up your own consultancy at the end of it.

link here

Lampzade · 25/08/2022 11:15

Really love this thread.
I am going to encourage my ds to look at some of these options.

CoffeeWithCheese · 25/08/2022 11:24

HerTableLaid · 26/06/2022 10:49

I used to lecture there, and if you were meeting the VC for something, the boardroom (which had changing displays from various degrees) would periodically have arrays of fabulously abstruse bras, bustiers and corsets. Grin

Bet AS FUCKING USUAL they forgot about the healthcare courses!!! (It's a bit of my big gripe about DMU forgetting about us - especially the speechies!)

Again - speech and language therapy - we do so much more than teaching kids to talk or "that bit off the King's Speech" - I've done placements in special schools, learning disabilities... I've gone out with the forensic team to work with ex-offenders... friends have gone to secure hospitals and head and neck cancer teams... stroke rehab... degenerative conditions... swallowing - there is so much range to go into.

Delphigirl · 16/08/2025 17:47

Bumping this great thread for those with kids thinking about what to put on their UCAS forms this autumn...
Feel free to add and update recommendations!

OP posts:
PanicBuyingSprouts · 16/08/2025 23:57

Thanks for reviving the thread. I can’t believe it’s 3 years old!

Delphigirl · 17/08/2025 00:19

4 years old @PanicBuyingSprouts !

OP posts:
PanicBuyingSprouts · 17/08/2025 00:22

Ah I stupidly hadn’t checked the first post, just the last one. It is indeed 4 years old Blush

Jumbojem · 17/08/2025 15:18

I just want to say thanks to everyone who has posted some fascinating courses on this thread and it's really helped in this stressful time where I have two DS with a level and GCSE results due.

Wish I could have my time again (although also with the lack of tution fees and loans) and looked more widely. Although I did physical geography which I enjoyed, got talked out of ergonomics by my college tutor. Oceanography really appeals now.
Sadly DS2 has turned his nose up at them all bar the rocket science one, so will keep that in mind when he's looking at courses next year.

Delphigirl · 17/08/2025 15:21

I love the meteorology at Reading with a year tornado chasing in Oklahoma!!!! I would totally have applied for that 30+ years ago!

OP posts:
growinguptobreakingdown · 19/08/2025 12:23

Anglo Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge. Made for my autistic Tolkien , ancient language obsessed DD. I literally don't know where else she would fit - she starts in Oct.
This thread is great.Going to send it to DD16 who has been uninspired by GCSEs/ school and needs something to get excited about.

Delphigirl · 19/08/2025 16:19

That’s so wonderful @growinguptobreakingdown , I hope she lives it and meets her tribe!

OP posts:
PanicBuyingSprouts · 19/08/2025 18:33

growinguptobreakingdown · 19/08/2025 12:23

Anglo Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge. Made for my autistic Tolkien , ancient language obsessed DD. I literally don't know where else she would fit - she starts in Oct.
This thread is great.Going to send it to DD16 who has been uninspired by GCSEs/ school and needs something to get excited about.

Ive just had a look at the course and it looks fantastic. I hope your DD really enjoys it Smile

SockFluffInTheBath · 19/08/2025 20:00

Possibly not on a par with rockets OP but DC1 is doing marine science at UEA. They have second year modules in volcanoes, 2 different forms of chemistry, field ecology, weather systems, geology, and ocean systems. To them (and me) it’s fascinating, brilliant combination of chemistry, physics, physical geography & geology. Course is sadly discontinued but I think you can get the same modules on the environmental science course.

SockFluffInTheBath · 19/08/2025 20:02

I think Social Policy is a bit overlooked
DC2 just about to start on this, possibly a bit niche and dependent on personal politics.

Wbeezer · 19/08/2025 22:30

@SockFluffInTheBath your name was DS3s greatest fear, he’d climb straight out of the bath if he spotted any.
Sorry to interrupt…

Africa2go · 20/08/2025 09:24

Also want to placemats to show my DC

Africa2go · 20/08/2025 09:24

Placemark 🙄

poetryandwine · 20/08/2025 10:32

titchy · 06/07/2021 19:17

What's particularly heartening is that some of these packets of excellence are in the oft-maligned ex poly/college of HE sector. Sadly that warmed heart is quickly cooled by the current Secretary of State for Education's view on such courses...

Very cool thread, OP, and I second @titchy ’s comment.