How do you choose a degree?

[lunavix]

I've always wanted to go to Uni, if only for the possibility of having a job that isn't minimum wage! The only problem is I have no idea what to study. Dh just chose his degree as he 'quite liked it at school' and I think it's a hard decision to make at 18.. and I'm older and still have no clue.

I know I want to be a primary teacher but I don't want to do a B Ed because I don't want to limit my options - if I hate it I'd like a more generic degree to fall back on. So I'd rather do a degree then a PGCE if I still feel the need to teach.

I'd love to do languages BUT with a lack of qualifications it looks like I'll need to do an access course first. Then to do the language course I'm looking at I need to do a two year pre-course to get up to speed as I don't have any language Alevels. Then the degree is four years.... so if I wanted this degree plus a PGCE it's 8 years!!! Of studying.

I think a 3 year course is more realistic I just don't know what to do. I'm not really interested in anything math-y, I don't want to do anything medical, and I can't really do a degree like English as I am apparently unable to 'read between the lines' according to a teacher many years ago

Any ideas? I'd love to do a religious degree, but I don't think dh would support that choice as I'm not religious and he'd think I was 'trying to be funny', I'd also love to do drama but I don't think that is really a sensible degree choice.

I am interested in computing, but I can't sit for 8+ hours a day staring at a computer, as it gives me migraines.

Anyone just want to tell me what to do?

That sounds really interesting...

Don't think dh will approve but it's something for me to think about.

Explain it to him properly and he might. my DH is so NOT religious and hates it all (I'm more of a Humanist). But I explained that if I want to be able to understand people then I have to be able to understand their religious backgrounds, as even if that isn't what we believe in, it is fundamental to the lives of most people on this planet.

I worked for a charity also that refused to help asylum seekers (rather a key worker did so we couldnt) and I would love to be able to redress this issue. Working with asylum seekers is a dream of mine, and to do it I need to understand at least some of their culture.

I can't think of a single career that never involves people, and religion is fundamental to understanding people, right?

Luna, about your last question addressed to me, in a way if you want to be a practicing art historian you are up for a lot of competition as positions in the area are quite scarce and normally involve teaching at university level that may require more than a degree (phd, lost of pubication, etc) and even if you get the job it is not likely to pay as much as one of a more economy/business orientated degree would get, but as I said, studying art history was a lovely experience, I used to joke to DH that we would live in a state of permanent semi retirement, you don't get a brilliant pay but you end up in a job you love.

You can mix theology and art history quite well, there is so much symbology in painting that studying a painting in deep may lead you to discover religious things that have fallen in disuse or very interesting things about how religion was perceived in past times. If I had not to consider the salary/get a job factor and could start again I would have loved to have studied a joint degree in art history and theology.

I did a Religious Studies and Psychology degree, with a minor in Philosophy. Despite being a confirmed atheist, I LOVED it. I now teach computing and maths in a FE college - go figure.

I think having a RE degree is a major asset, especially as I work with predominantly muslim immigrants. Don't underestimate the wider uses of a humanities degree, especially one that teaches you to look at and empathise with a totally different world view. As the UK opens up more and more to immigration from non christian ccountries, you will probably find your sort of skills in demand in the strangest of places.

Thanks Slug, I knew why I was doing it, but you put that so well

My degree is theology and I majored in philosophy really. I'm a confirmed Atheist and now an 'A' level lecturer in RS (philosophy and ethics). I found that my of my fellow graduates, many went into teaching. Others followed up careers in Law. I know one who went into the navy, a few that became shop managers etc. Theology and Philosophy are well respected degrees because they are quite academic, and I'd say can be quite tough to do (especially if you follow a traditional course of studying Hebrew / Greek etc). But as such, it does have quite a good reputation and doesn't seem to be seen as a 'soft option'. It'll lead to the same places as all graduates of humanities subjects (usually something not related to your degree) unless you particularly want to be a vicar / RE teacher (And you'd walk a job in RE, they're desperate for them at the mo!!)

HTH

I've got images of me being like the RE teacher from 'teachers' lol

It sounds great and definately one to consider. I know that I need to do a degree I enjoy, and not just one for financial purposes... but I suppose I could always do a PGCE for primary like I plan, and I could still use a theology degree if I decide to do a PGCE secondary too...

Chandra - I don't know that art history would be quite right for me. It sounds great, and something I'd be interested in but it's like English isn't it, a lot of interpreting what you see/read and I'm afraid I don't think I have that level of comprehension!

Well I'm noted for my dodgy taste in men, I quite fancy the RE teacher in teachers!!

Shall I hang my head in shame and slink off now?

I also like the bloke who used to play Spider in Corrie (now Holby, yay) and- THIS is so embarassing- Gordon Brown.

Oh dear, i've no friends left now have I?

A lot of degrees don't necessarily lead to something related to that degree, its more about using the skills you gain and IMO most BAs at least require you to read between the lines.

A lot of universities ask for you to have recent evidence of study so A'Levels done 10 years ago might not be good enough...

My English degree was alright and pretty chilled. Only 8 hours a week and not that much reading between the lines.

I think an essay based sciencey subject would be best for you. Geography, that sort of thing.

IMO choose something that you are really interested in yourself as it takes up so much of your time and you might as well spend that time doing something you actually care about!
I did a varied Humanties-type degree which I really enjoyed and although I could have done anything with it (including teaching if you carry on) I ended up changing my mind 3 years later and becoming a wine merchant instead! So I am glad I did something that I can actually talk about- even though a useful business degree would have made me more money!

I'm doing law with the ou. I did a hmanities course as part of my first year, and it involved, art, english and theology amongst other things. That course was so interestign and I would have loved to do the whole degree in that. I particularly enjoyed theology. Unfortuantely law pays more.

Hi lunavix

I'm in the middle of doing an English degree with the aim of teaching eventually. Just a word of warning - the teacher training institutions that I have looked into in my area all prefer a degree subject that is part of the National Curriculum for Primary teaching and stipulate that this is a 'must have' if wanting to do secondary teaching. It may be different in your area, but it may be worth finding out, as I know some people who have had to do conversion courses after their degree in order to be taken on for teacher training.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

i wouldn't worry about what a teacher told you at school years ago. i would go for an english language or literature degree, maybe the english language more feasible if you feel your old teachers assessment was accurate.
i would do a generic access course and see how you go with that, you may find that you have a new found talent for a subject that you have never done before, e.g psychology, sociology.
good luck with it anyway. i am 2/3 of the way trhough my degree and glad that i have done something with my life as i went ot a scholl, wher the teachers expected you to get pregnant and leave even before you had finished your gcse's (was locally known as the maternity ward and not s*)