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Not sure what degree to do

So I’m in year 12 and I study alevel law, fine art and English literature.
Originally I thought about doing law, as I like doing the alevel and my teacher has encouraged me to do law as a career but after doing an access law course thing at a uni, I don’t think it’s for me at all.
I like computers and coding and stuff so I looked at cyber security as it links to the law and such but I do not do Cs or maths (I got a 4 at gsce), so I don’t think it’s an option.
I’ve been also looking at art side of things like gaming design but then I’m not sure how good the career scope is lol. I know I don’t want to do criminology or eng lit. I did look at forensic investigation but that’s only at some unis. Any advice? I’m quite stuck atm and a little stressed.
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Original post by Sevenlolol
So I’m in year 12 and I study alevel law, fine art and English literature.
Originally I thought about doing law, as I like doing the alevel and my teacher has encouraged me to do law as a career but after doing an access law course thing at a uni, I don’t think it’s for me at all.
I like computers and coding and stuff so I looked at cyber security as it links to the law and such but I do not do Cs or maths (I got a 4 at gsce), so I don’t think it’s an option.
I’ve been also looking at art side of things like gaming design but then I’m not sure how good the career scope is lol. I know I don’t want to do criminology or eng lit. I did look at forensic investigation but that’s only at some unis. Any advice? I’m quite stuck atm and a little stressed.

Hi, I'm so sorry that you are finding it so hard to decide. We have all been through that stressful time in y12 where we have to practically decide our whole future career before even turning 18!
Here is a website where you can put your levels and it gives you options of degrees to do: https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/start
Because of my odd alevel combo, this helped me see all the different areas which I could go into.

If you go on the UCAS website there is also a test you can do based on your personality and interests which gives you options of careers which could suit you best: https://www.ucas.com/careers-quiz

I was in a similar situation to you last year (I'm now in Y13). I was so unsure of what I wanted to study at university I chose a real random combo of levels(History, French and Biology). I ended up choosing to apply for law as my parents convinced me it would be a good base for any other degree because you learn about medical law, human rights, contract law etc. so practically all aspects of society as well as so many great transferable skills. By doing law you could then specialise in AI/intellectual property/ computer-related aspects of it so that you could get to do cyber security without the coding aspect. I am sure you can also look more into university requirements and whether some unis need maths/ cs for this subject - the less prestigious schools tend to be more lenient.

I hope the websites help! here if you have any more questions.
Original post by Sevenlolol
So I’m in year 12 and I study alevel law, fine art and English literature.
Originally I thought about doing law, as I like doing the alevel and my teacher has encouraged me to do law as a career but after doing an access law course thing at a uni, I don’t think it’s for me at all.
I like computers and coding and stuff so I looked at cyber security as it links to the law and such but I do not do Cs or maths (I got a 4 at gsce), so I don’t think it’s an option.
I’ve been also looking at art side of things like gaming design but then I’m not sure how good the career scope is lol. I know I don’t want to do criminology or eng lit. I did look at forensic investigation but that’s only at some unis. Any advice? I’m quite stuck atm and a little stressed.
maybe criminology could be an option too if you like forensic investigation? i know ucl has a course on Crime and Security Science too if you wish to do something cyber security related. it has no specific level requirements and you learn how to code as part of the degree solving your problem of not taking cs. here is the link to that course so you can look at it in more detail: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/crime-and-security-science-bsc
Original post by Sevenlolol
So I’m in year 12 and I study alevel law, fine art and English literature.
Originally I thought about doing law, as I like doing the alevel and my teacher has encouraged me to do law as a career but after doing an access law course thing at a uni, I don’t think it’s for me at all.
I like computers and coding and stuff so I looked at cyber security as it links to the law and such but I do not do Cs or maths (I got a 4 at gsce), so I don’t think it’s an option.
I’ve been also looking at art side of things like gaming design but then I’m not sure how good the career scope is lol. I know I don’t want to do criminology or eng lit. I did look at forensic investigation but that’s only at some unis. Any advice? I’m quite stuck atm and a little stressed.

Hello @Sevenlolol,

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time deciding on your next steps.

If you're interested in cyber security, it's not too late to consider pursuing it. Check the entry requirements for individual courses you're interested in, as not all of them will require A Levels in computer science and/or maths. Our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree, for example, does not require either of these subjects. You can find more information about the course and its entry requirements at https://bit.ly/3xf1OhW.

It might also be beneficial to consult with a careers advisor at your school/college, as they can assist you in exploring your options.

I hope that this helps!

Thanks,

Becky
Its also worth looking at all sorts of social science subjects - most do not have any essential A level subjects, the entry requirements will just be stated as 3 grades.

Have a look at some of the subjects at just one Uni - Undergraduate Courses, Degrees : Study : University of Sussex
American Studies, Digital Media, Journalism, Liberal Arts, Sociology etc etc - and under each heading you will find more degree titles. Take some time to explore all of these subjects - then go to some Open Days and listen to the subject presentations, ask questions etc - find the subject that is right for you.
Original post by Sevenlolol
So I’m in year 12 and I study alevel law, fine art and English literature.
Originally I thought about doing law, as I like doing the alevel and my teacher has encouraged me to do law as a career but after doing an access law course thing at a uni, I don’t think it’s for me at all.
I like computers and coding and stuff so I looked at cyber security as it links to the law and such but I do not do Cs or maths (I got a 4 at gsce), so I don’t think it’s an option.
I’ve been also looking at art side of things like gaming design but then I’m not sure how good the career scope is lol. I know I don’t want to do criminology or eng lit. I did look at forensic investigation but that’s only at some unis. Any advice? I’m quite stuck atm and a little stressed.

Only do a STEM, finance or something thats really specialist with lots of jobs. The entire point of a degree is to get a job, nothing else.
Reply 6
Original post by Alexbantana
Only do a STEM, finance or something thats really specialist with lots of jobs. The entire point of a degree is to get a job, nothing else.

Well I don’t think you have read my post properly as I do not do STEM subjects or I do not want to do finance. Yes that’s the reason I want to do a degree, so I have a qualification but I don’t know what to do it in.
Original post by Sevenlolol
Well I don’t think you have read my post properly as I do not do STEM subjects or I do not want to do finance. Yes that’s the reason I want to do a degree, so I have a qualification but I don’t know what to do it in.

Have you considered not doing a degree and doing apprentiship/going in to industry?
Reply 8
Original post by LIBF
Hello @Sevenlolol,
I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time deciding on your next steps.
If you're interested in cyber security, it's not too late to consider pursuing it. Check the entry requirements for individual courses you're interested in, as not all of them will require A Levels in computer science and/or maths. Our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree, for example, does not require either of these subjects. You can find more information about the course and its entry requirements at https://bit.ly/3xf1OhW.
It might also be beneficial to consult with a careers advisor at your school/college, as they can assist you in exploring your options.
I hope that this helps!
Thanks,
Becky

Hi thank you this does help, the only thing is is that I have seen cyber security courses that don’t require specific subjects but then I think will it be to above my skill grade since even though it’s not required, will I struggle to much not having done cs?. I have been doing online coding courses. Should I try speak to the people at open days about this?
Reply 9
Original post by Alexbantana
Have you considered not doing a degree and doing apprentiship/going in to industry?

Yes I have considered it but I really do not want to, I can only really see myself going to uni. Plus the area i live in is super sparse for apprenticeships that aren’t bricklaying lol
Original post by Sevenlolol
Yes I have considered it but I really do not want to, I can only really see myself going to uni. Plus the area i live in is super sparse for apprenticeships that aren’t bricklaying lol

Bricklaying is fun. Hum, have you considered something to do with computers? alot of money in it right now or geogprahy, alot of opportunities in that field currently, just promise me you wont do english lit
Reply 11
Original post by Alexbantana
Bricklaying is fun. Hum, have you considered something to do with computers? alot of money in it right now or geogprahy, alot of opportunities in that field currently, just promise me you wont do english lit

Pls read my post all the way lol yes I would like to do something with computers, only that the issue is that since I do not do cs alevel or maths. I also said already that I do not want to do English literature
Original post by Sevenlolol
Pls read my post all the way lol yes I would like to do something with computers, only that the issue is that since I do not do cs alevel or maths. I also said already that I do not want to do English literature

I have the attention span of a gold fish. Best advise, buy GPT 4.0 and ask it that stuff on my behalf.
Reply 13
Original post by isabellag0093
maybe criminology could be an option too if you like forensic investigation? i know ucl has a course on Crime and Security Science too if you wish to do something cyber security related. it has no specific level requirements and you learn how to code as part of the degree solving your problem of not taking cs. here is the link to that course so you can look at it in more detail: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/crime-and-security-science-bsc

Thank you this is helpful :smile:
Useful careers website with hundreds of job roles / careers - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Reply 15
Original post by Sevenlolol
Hi thank you this does help, the only thing is is that I have seen cyber security courses that don’t require specific subjects but then I think will it be to above my skill grade since even though it’s not required, will I struggle to much not having done cs?. I have been doing online coding courses. Should I try speak to the people at open days about this?

Yes absolutely, if you want to do cybersecurity and you have an interest in coding already then go to open days for unis that don't specifically ask for maths or CS A level and ask the staff whether they think you would be able to cope. Another option might be a degree with a foundation year, these are often taken by students who did the right subjects but got the wrong grades, but also students who have good grades but in the "wrong" subjects.

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