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Higher education

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

Original poster

How did your dc chose their degree, and (answer honestly) has it proven to be the right choice?

103 replies

LimitIsUp · 26/07/2022 15:27

Just that really

Interested to know how your dc decided what they wanted to study for a degree and whether they think they have made the right choice, since ds is currently drawing a blank

OP posts:
Original poster
LimitIsUp · 26/07/2022 15:34

.

OP posts:
midairchallenger · 26/07/2022 15:37

Maybe university isn't the right path for him then.

fourtytwochairs · 26/07/2022 15:38

Not a parent, but answering as someone who finished uni a few years ago. I also didn't really know what to do for uni (considered a lot of different subjects) and was torn between my favourite a-level subject and my easiest subject. Ended up going for the easiest one and I think it was the right choice because I was able to do well without working too hard.

LurpakAspirations · 26/07/2022 15:44

I chose my degree by picking one a traditional academic discipline for the choices it gave me afterwards. It also happened to be one of my favourite subjects so my enjoyment of it remained high throughout.

Worked out really well for and I'd recommend the approach for anyone.

If torn between two subjects that seem to offer similar prospects, choose the one he enjoys the most - a good degree can be hard enough, enjoying it will carry him through.

Snargle · 26/07/2022 15:48

My DC chose a subject that he really enjoys and is good at. It also helps that it tends to pay well as a career.

He was able to get a job in that same field very soon after graduating, so I think he made the right choice.

bigbluebus · 26/07/2022 15:59

DS chose an engineering degree as he loved science subjects. He did 1 year at Uni and decided he hated engineering and dropped out!
He went on to do a Humanities degree and then a Masters.

clary · 26/07/2022 16:00

My DD has just graduated. She did English lit. When she applied, she was torn between that and classical civ as she loves Greek mythology. She managed to write a personal statement that combined the two interests (impressive) and got offers for both course but on the offer days, could really not see herself with the classicists but loved the English. She loves to read, is passionate about what she reads and has an inquiring mind. Her degree enabled her to make choices about modules once past her first year (I imagine this is usual) so she was able to write essays on subjects she was interested in – in her last year she wrote five long essays and a dissertation and all were either about women or sexuality (or both). English was her favourite A level and it was always a clear choice for her for a degree. I guess she could have branched out to something like sociology or creative writing but nothing else held any interest. In the end she turned mediocre A levels (sorry DD) to an amazing degree with a prize for the top mark in the year so it was a good decision to play to her passion.

DS2 is doing biological studies. He was originally thinking of maths but then decided against FM for A level and was not sorry later on as maths was hard enough. He was also looking at something PE based (did PE A level) but then having added biology as a last-minute A level choice he found he loved it and wanted to pursue it. He looked at lots of courses at different unis and opted for one with a heavy human biology element. He is hoping to go into some kind of research role.

clary · 26/07/2022 16:02

Meant to add, I think the reason for DD's BCC at A level was that she took French and spent more time on it than the other two put together; her mark for German would have got her a B but French is marked differently by AQA. Also she really struggles in exams but her degree was all assessed via essays so that suited her.

alterego2 · 26/07/2022 16:04

DD chose hers because of a random talk she went to in 6th form. She found it really interesting and wanted to learn more. Has it been the right choice? Well, she's enjoying what she's learning so yes, from that point of view. Will it be useful? Probably not!

Original poster
LimitIsUp · 26/07/2022 17:10

Hmm - I think ds is currently mostly drawn to an environmental science degree but not sure he wants to work in the field afterwards so not sure if that is the way to go.

OP posts:
GnomeDePlume · 26/07/2022 17:21

Both DDs interested in the borders between sciences: Biology & Chemistry, Chemistry and Physics.

Eldest did a biochem degree having spent a couple of years chatting with a language tutor who was a biochemist. DD1 felt a bit meh about her course in year 2 but found her love of science again during her placement year. Graduated with a first and now working in research. Loves her job.

Youngest loved Chemistry and Physics at school so combined them for degree. About to go into her Masters year.

SandyIrvine · 26/07/2022 17:23

DS2 chose based on liking city (Glasgow) and subject at school (Geography). Had no real intention of working in field (except teaching if all else failed). Worked out fine. Got decent 2:1 and well paid graduate job (they just wanted decent degree in anything plus right soft skills).

ofteninaspin · 26/07/2022 17:44

DD (graduating this summer) chose to take an integrated Masters degree in Biology, her favourite A level subject. She applied to universities that offered courses that best matched her interests in natural history. At 17/18, she didn't look ahead to possible careers. She will be starting a competitive graduate job later this year that specifically requires a post grad qualification in a biology related subject.
DS (second year) chose a course that combines his interests in law and economics. Loves his course. He hasn't decided yet whether to pursue a career in law or finance but is hopefully well placed for either.

Mangolist · 26/07/2022 18:11

Our ds was outstandingly good at Maths and sciences so followed the path expected and started a Physics degree at an RG university. After a year, he was so down and despondent and finding it much trickier than he had anticipated; so chose to start again doing a totally different, humanities based subject at a totally different university. He has never regretted it.
I guess what can be taken from this is even if it seems clear where the path is going, it may not be that way. DD, on the other hand is just starting A Levels in three quite differing subjects and has no idea whatsoever what she will go on to study!

Bronzegate · 26/07/2022 18:15

DS chose to continue studying his favourite A-level subject.

So far, it seems to have been the right choice:
(a) he found it interesting so was motivated to do the work and therefore did well
(b) he wants to do a PGCE in primary education and is glad that he has a degree in a national curriculum subject.

ohblowmedown · 26/07/2022 18:24

One of mine chose a degree (with my help) by looking at the subjects they enjoyed most, thinking about their other interests/hobbies/likes, and tying them together. When we looked at the degrees available, she hadn't got a clue half of them even existed. She now has a very good job that she enjoys, that's closely related to her degree.

The other actually started a degree thinking he would enjoy it and left after the first term because he hated it, but started again the following year (in something quite closely related to the first one) and has thrived since.

I think it's important to discuss what they want out of a job - do they want to travel/be office based/be outdoors/work with lots of people/work alone, think about whether they are money motivated, what their extra curricular interests are, as well as their A level subjects.

Ironoaks · 26/07/2022 18:25

DS has wanted to be a physicist since he was in Y10. Fortunately he is very good at physics and maths. In the end he chose a course where he could try out some other subjects in first year (e.g. Materials Science) but can still end up with a full (IoP accredited) physics degree. He has just finished his second year of the course and has no regrets so far. There's a lot of hard maths, but he enjoys that. If the third year goes as well as the second year did then he'll stay on for a fourth year to do a master's.

ohblowmedown · 26/07/2022 18:28

LimitIsUp · 26/07/2022 17:10

Hmm - I think ds is currently mostly drawn to an environmental science degree but not sure he wants to work in the field afterwards so not sure if that is the way to go.

I wouldn't be encouraging someone to build up student debt for a degree that isn't going to lead to a job they want either.

Motnight · 26/07/2022 18:31

My dd went through clearing, as she didn't get the grades she needed for her first choice. She chose the course within about 3 hours. She wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it at first.

But she grew to love it and is using it to get her dream career.

Not a method I would particularly recommend but a reality that lots of young people face.

ShanghaiDiva · 26/07/2022 18:36

ds loved chemistry at school but wasn’t interested in a job in this field and wanted a higher potential salary. He studied accountancy and finance and is now a junior auditor studying for chartered accountancy exams.

LurpakAspirations · 26/07/2022 18:37

LimitIsUp · 26/07/2022 17:10

Hmm - I think ds is currently mostly drawn to an environmental science degree but not sure he wants to work in the field afterwards so not sure if that is the way to go.

Then he needs to explore what alternative careers it can lead to. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know if he wants that field, just that he's OK with the alternative options.

If there is a particular career he'd like then he should choose a degree which leads to it, but bear in mind a good science degree can open many doors.

mondaywin · 26/07/2022 19:08

DD chose degree based on area she wanted to work in and Uni location. She had just graduated and has a grad role in chosen field starting next month.

Billybagpuss · 26/07/2022 19:22

Dd chose law based on a list similar to this edvoy.com/articles/highest-paying-degrees-in-uk/ at the time she chose it came in closely after medicine and dentistry neither of which suited her.

It worked for her, she’s currently doing really well, just finished her lpc and going to study more to qualify as a solicitor the initial salaries are low but once you are a fee earner it’s good money.

Malbecfan · 26/07/2022 19:27

Both DDs chose Natural Sciences. DD1 took Physics, Chemistry and Maths so gravitated towards the Physical course. Although Chemistry was her passion, she loved Materials Science and specialised in that in her 3rd and Masters years. She is now studying for a PhD in Materials Science in the same group as her Masters. DD2 is more of a Biologist/Chemist although has done some Physics-related modules. She's on an exchange year now, so I'm not entirely sure what she is planning for next year.

The former head of 6th form at their school stated that NatSci students were those who couldn't make up their minds. I disagree: they want to keep their options open and not specialise too soon. Both mine applied to Cambridge & were interviewed. DD1 studied there, DD2 went elsewhere.

Sadik · 26/07/2022 19:30

DD was in the same place as your son.

She took a couple of years out, did an extra A level to broaden out her options, and has been full time volunteering. She's about to start a degree in a field related to her volunteering (working with disabled young people) - whether it will work out I don't know yet, but I think she's got a much better chance than she would have done going to uni straight from A levels.