What degree could DD do?

[year12clueless]

DD is floundering trying to choose a degree. She's coming to the end of year 12. Current predicted grades are
PE-A
Sociology-B
Geography- B
Highly possible that she'll do well enough in her tracking tests next term to move one or both of the predicted Bs to As but I don't want her massively pressured as she's had a difficult few years.

She's got 9 GCSES grades 8-5 including a 5 in maths.

She's not traditionally academic and doesn't love any of her subjects. She likes sports science but most universities seem to offer it as a BSc and want biology or chemistry A level so that's not an option.

I think she'd be better off looking at a more vocational course like marketing or communications etc but these seem to be offered at the newer universities and I worry she's selling herself short because the grade requirements are sometimes a lot lower than she'll probably get.

As she's not doing a STEM subject I really think that if she's paying all that money she should at least go to somewhere with a reasonable reputation as that will potentially be something future employers consider. There seems to be a big unfilled gap between "we want A star, A,A" and "B,C,C".

She's sporty, cheerful, organised, personable and well liked. As a job I can see her doing well in a sales/ marketing/ comms/ PR type job- but where to go next? We've looked at degree apprenticeships and they seem to be in stem/ finance, and the sales and barbering ones seem to be thinly disguised advertising sales.

We're both glazing over looking at Unifrog again. Does the MN hive mind have any suggestions?

I used to work for Experian and they do really good apprenticeships. They have some for analyst type roles but also for things like sales / marketing. Could she do something like that? They are quite competitive though.

OP:

Here is one that names ALL of your DD's A levels! Kent is great .

https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/5770

That's another one that want BCC this year but BBC next year! I thought the grade boundaries were higher next year. Seen a few do this including Exeter which is ABB this year and AAB for 2024.

Sports communication degree?

https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/sports-communications-and-marketing

Something like International Relations, maybe with a second subject?

That's a bit of a snobby attitude tbh.

My dd knew exactly what she wanted to do job wise and got BBBB at A level. The only uni that did the course she wanted was a "new" uni so she went there. Had the time of her life, got a first and walked straight into a relevant job.

I don't think you should be worrying about her selling herself short. It's more important that she does something she's interested in, and if she doesn't know what that is right now, a gap year/working/travelling will do her the world of good.

I think it's competition. It suggests they have plenty of applicants.

My non academic sporty niece and nephew both went to St Mary’s Twickenham. Took Business degrees combined with sport. No exams, a few essays and a lot of group project work which suited them well. One graduated three years ago, secured a grad scheme with a leading finance firm and is doing very well. Plays a lot of golf with clients. Niece is graduating this year and has a job lined up in business comms with a sports charity.

Is she outdoorsy?
I was thinking about big charities or civil service on the amenities / estate management / recreation side, like RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, Sport England, National Trust, Broads Authority, Forestry Commission. They all benefit from people with Business / Marketing degrees.

Those jobs where resource management (geography) merges with outdoor recreation (sport).

If ABB what about law - an LLB. Lots of people who do an LLB do not go on to be lawyers - she might eg go into HR after an LLB.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2096294

Not sure if this has been suggested already @year12clueless but given she’s sporty, cheerful, well liked and pragmatic what about joining the police or the armed forces? They pay for your degree I think there’s hundreds of potential career paths.

I don’t know the full details but I know someone whose daughter is doing a NHS hybrid degree/apprenticeship in physiotherapy. She had to wait an extra year to start for the place to be available but it was hugely cheaper than a straight physio degree.

im also a fan of the year out model. I wish I had done it. I floundered a bit in my degree but 2 years out working made my masters a dream, everything just clicked more. I had a much better work ethic and idea how to take care of myself.

Maybe sign up to Camp America next year. A bit of time meeting new people might spark an interest she didn’t know she had.

i think someone mentioned teaching. Apart from all the issues currently happening, I have met few PE teachers (I recruited teachers) who enjoy what they do. It’s why they often try and get into management. Years of standing in fields gets a bit wearing! Although I know a freelance schools sports organiser in her 70s who loves it still.

Look seriously at career options that won't be usurped by AI. Someone mentioned physical therapy. I like that idea. AI can't take your job. Same with podiatry.

A friend of mine started a sports science degree, hated it, dropped out and qualified as a Personal Trainer. She works very very hard but she earns good money running her own fitness classes as well as one-to-one clients. Would that interest her?

Criminology might be an option, it fits with the Sociology A level. Typical requirements are AAB (Manchester University) or 112-120 UCAS points (MMU). It is something DS has been looking at.

All the teacher satisfaction surveys suggest retention is best in PE and that history and PE teachers are happiest, as it goes!

All these posts telling the OPs dd not to go to university and the ridiculous snobbery about sports science are beginning to really piss me off.

With geography and sociology, a degree in planing/real estate would be worth a look. I'm on that industry and there are loads of opportunities. Good career progression and can pay well. It's also an interesting field.

i know quite a few young people who have chosen uni based on reputation. So by choosing less competitive subjects, eg Arch and anth, they get to a better university. Not for everyone but a 2;1 is fine for jobs.

We know lots of surveyors and they are bright enough with decent earnings. Planners working in the commercial sector can also do well. So geography can lead to these careers and obviously others. Charities do not pay very well in many spheres.

HR can we accessed by any grad. So she certainly could look at business or sociology. Then there are management degrees. Bath might be out of reach but other unis are available. She is certainly doing the right thing by looking at earnings. Why not set goals and aim high? Non science grads compete for jobs in non shortage areas of employment. You need an usp. So the big decision is vocational vs general. Often general works out as options are increased.

Hi OP, i haven’t read through the entire thread so sorry if you get any duplicate advice.

The first thing I’d recommend is that DD seeks some career advice, or if she considers particular uni courses, to really get some guidance on what career paths she could take. Otherwise no point in uni. I have a foreign language degree and now work at head office for a big a company, but have never needed to use my degree.

You also mentioned graduate schemes. A big shock to me when I applied for graduate schemes was the tests you have to do during the application, mostly the maths test. IT’s HARD. If you’re not super good at maths, there’s no point.

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/sport-and-exercise-science#overview
How about Surrey for Sports Science? Lovely campus in Guilford.
Entry requirements BBB.

I’d advise a degree in business or economics if her A levels are going to be good. Look for one with an integrated year in business (usually in year three) by which time she’ll have more of an idea what kind of company she wants to work for. Often, the year working results in a post grad employment opportunity. I’m a sixth form tutor btw.

I think geography could be a good option. I went to the University of Aberdeen - know lots of people who did geography/geology and then went on to earn good money in the oil industry. Obviously I wouldn’t advise anyone to start planning a career in oil and gas now but I bet there are options in renewable energy. Also would be a route into land management/surveying type jobs

I agree with Fleur - both universities and employers love geography - it’s a subject that proves you’re a good all rounder as it encompasses so many competencies. It’ll give her three years to think about her future plus allow her numerous sporting outlets.

Ps: I would not recommend law at all unless she’s really keen on it as there is a LOT of reading. I did law and quite a few of my classmates dropped out in first year. Also not too sure I’d recommend it as a profession!