Introduction

Once you’ve settled into university life, and made your accommodation feel like home, or even before going, a question you’ll no doubt ask yourself is “how important is a degree and what kind of job can I expect once I’m completed it?”

In this blog we’ll analyse and evaluate the job prospects for graduates (we promise not to sit on the fence too much) and give you the best advice possible to help you make those crucial life decisions.

When you are done reading, be sure to check out our guide on when to start applying for graduate jobs – don’t worry, we’ll always make sure you’re one step ahead!

What is the relevance of the course to your future career path?

We’re going to be upfront and say it’s very possible that you will go to university to study for three years and find yourself in a job that has precisely nothing to do with your chosen subject. And that’s absolutely ok because, even if things didn’t pan out straight away, going to university demonstrates a host of transferable skills including management, communication and planning. If you’ve managed a good grade from a high-ranking institution, even better! If not, you’re still in with a chance with some of the UK’s top graduate employers. There’s really no way to predict the relevance of your course to your future career path so still take your time to decide which one is right for you.

What are my graduate job prospects with a degree?

A degree might not be an essential requirement but there’s no denying that you can significantly boost your graduate job prospects if you have one. We’ve mentioned transferable skills should you not go into your chosen field, but if you do venture into the industry you studied for it can be very beneficial in helping you stand out in the job market. A degree is important if there were a graduate scheme you wanted to apply for as a degree would naturally be a requirement. There’s always a worry that you’ll struggle to find employment after university, so graduate schemes are a great entry level option. Also be sure to take advantage of the resources at your university where you’ll have careers advisors and tutors who can help you figure out your next steps at any point in your university career.

In short, do I need a degree?

The frustrating answer is; it depends. A good degree from a high-achieving university is very likely to help you secure a position in your chosen field. That isn’t to say you wouldn’t be able to enter the industry without one,  but it would be more difficult. Think of it as holistically as you can because your degree will sit alongside your work experience and any other qualifications as well as your attitude, skills and work ethic. Employers take all of these factors into account and you’ll gain many of them from doing a degree.

When you’re ready to start university, we offer smart spaces with all the amenities you could need in a host of cities across the UK – but we’re more than luxury student accommodation. At Collegiate we create content full of great tips and practical advice on how to make the most of your time at university; from detailed city guides to student wellbeing at university, our blog pages have got you covered. It’s all part of our commitment to making your time at university the best it can be.