Lesser-known university subjects

Medicine, Law and Psychology are not the only university subjects! Here are some lesser-known subjects... they might be perfect for you, and also they tend to be easier to get in for because fewer people know about them.

1. Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity

Instead of
Computing or Computer Engineering consider Ethical Hacking/Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity courses are frequently offered as joint honours with Computing.

What is it?
Courses in Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity will provide you with practical skills which can be overlooked in typical Computing courses. For example, it is possible to graduate in computing without any cybersecurity education at all (Forbes, 2016).

Hacking and Cybersecurity courses teach students how to hack, so that you are able to spot and provide ways for companies to safeguard themselves against malicious hackers. Courses generally include modules in: programming, digital forensics, networks and operating systems, as well as risk management, legal issues and security governance.

Why choose it?
There are ever increasing demands for protection against cyber crime. It is predicted there will be a workforce shortage of 1.2 million in cybersecurity by 2020 (Global Information Security Workforce 2015). There’s a rapidly intensifying demand for people with this skillset. For students already looking to study Computing, selecting a course which includes cybersecurity would be wise.

What to look for?
It’s worth considering how well networked each university is - for example some universities have links with billion dollar companies such as Cisco and Microsoft. 

Also look out for degrees that will give you accreditation from the British Computer Society (BCS) once you graduate.

Entry requirements

• Hacking and Cybersecurity courses which include Computer Science (for example, the University of Southampton’s ‘Computer Science with Cyber Security’ course, typically require high grades; the typical A Level offer is A*AA.
• Cyber Security alone requires lower grades, for example, the University of Staffordshire’s course ‘Cyber Security’ has a typical A-level offer of BBC-CCC.

A-Level/BTEC/IB subjects
Very few Ethical Hacking/Cyber Security courses demand specific subjects, however at least one A-level/BTEC/IB subject which is numerical based is recommended by most universities.

Frequently suggested advantageous subjects include: Maths, Physics, Design Technology, Computer Science and Computing.

The numbers
On average of 78.9% of applicants receive offers for courses in, or incorporating, Ethical Hacking/Cyber Security. This is a medium-high rate of offers.

Courses in or incorporating Ethical Hacking/Cyber Security have a 75.8% student satisfaction average. This is a medium student satisfaction score.

The average graduate salary is £22.8K per year but, depending on their university, graduates can earn an average of up to £30K per year. This is a medium-high salary for graduates.

Careers
People with this degree tend to go into cyber system security, data analysis, patron testing or information security management. Given the demand for work in this field, many cyber security consultants set up and operate under their own company. There is also the opportunity to work for major technological companies such as Microsoft, CACI and PWC.

 

2. Social and Human Sciences

Instead of  
Human Geography, International Relations, Sociology, or Politics.

What is it?
Social Science is interdisciplinary. It explores society and the relationships within it, therefore drawing on politics, social policy, history, psychology, criminology and sociology. It teaches students how to analyse and evaluate different factors when looking at a social event.

Why choose it?
It is perfect for students who want to continue with multiple subjects, and/or are interested in how subjects interact.

Often people drop subjects they enjoyed at A-Level for a single subject at degree level; social/human science degrees do not demand that you do this.

Subjects often taken together such as Politics and History, or Psychology and Sociology, can be continued within the context of Social Science.

Graduates in this area tend to be very employable because they can show a range of skills and knowledge.

What to look for?
Look for a course which offers flexibility. Students may want to tailor their degree to focus on the areas they enjoy most of this broad subject, and try out lots of different modules before the specialise.

Entry requirements

• The University of Oxford offers a course in ‘Human Sciences’ with a typical A-level offer of AAA, and an IB offer of 38 required points, 6 6 6 at the Higher Level.
• The University of Brighton offers a course in ‘Social Science’ with a typical A-Level offer of BBC-CCC.

A-Level subjects
No A-Level subjects are required for this type of course although some universities suggest it would be advantageous to have A-Levels in Biology and Mathematics.

The numbers
On average of 81.6% of applicants receive offers for courses in Social/Human Science. This is high compared to other degrees.

Social/Human Science courses have a 87.1% student satisfaction average. This is also high compared to other degrees.

The average graduate salary is £18.5K per year but, depending on their university, graduates can earn an average of up to £22.5K per year. This is a low-medium amount.

Careers
People with a degree in Social/Human Sciences tend to go into careers in the government, civil service, health services, police, media, law and teaching.

 

3. Oriental / Islamic / African Studies

Instead of
Human Geography, History, International Relations, Modern Languages alone or Religious Studies.

What is it?
Often Oriental/Islamic/African Studies courses are combined as joint honours with a relevant language. However, it is possible to study Oriental/Islamic/African Studies alone. These courses focus on culture and history through language, literature, art and philosophy.

Why choose it?
This course educates students about the history of the world from a different, non-European perspective, as well as often teaching them a new language.

If it is part of the course most universities will start the language from scratch, so no prior knowledge of the language is necessary, unlike a lot of European Modern Language courses.

It’s a good idea for students to incorporate these courses into their degree as joint honours. If students have an interest in this area but do not want to study one subject alone, joint honours can increase their chance of acceptance.

For example, Oxford University only accepts 27% of applicants for Philosophy and Theology, but 50% of applicants for Theology and Oriental Studies. Similarly, at SOAS University of London, there is an 83% acceptance rate for International Relations but 100% for International Relations and African Studies.

What to look for?
Students may want to look for a course which offers a year abroad. A high amount of contact time is also worth considering as students may require a lot of support when learning a new language.

Entry requirements

• The University of Exeter offers a course in ‘Arabic and Islamic Studies’ with a typical A-Level offer of AAA-AAB.
• Exeter’s typical BTEC offer for this course is DDD-DDM, or 32-36 required points for IB.
• The Islamic College for Advanced Studies (in partnership with Middlesex University London) offers a course in ‘Islamic Studies’ with a typical A-Level offer of BCC, or 32 required points for IB.

A-Level subjects
No specific A-Level subjects are required for this type of course.

The numbers
An average of 69.6% of applicants receive offers for courses in, or incorporating, Oriental/Islamic/African Studies. This is a low-medium rate of acceptance.

This increases to 100% acceptance rate for courses in, or incorporating, African Studies alone.

Courses in, or incorporating, Oriental/Islamic/African Studies have a student satisfaction average of 81.4%. This is a high student satisfaction score.

The average graduate salary is £20.2K per year but, depending on their university, graduates can earn an average of up to £24K per year. This is a medium-high salary for graduates.

Careers
People with a degree in, or incorporating, Oriental/Islamic/African Studies tend to go into careers in the civil service, industry, commerce, non-government organisations, journalism, and publishing.

 

4. History of Art

Instead of
History, Art, History of Architecture, English Literature

What is it?
History of Art is the study and analysis of images, sculptures and performance art throughout history. Students will study why works of art were made, for whom and by whom. It is a way of studying history through a visual perspective. Art history is often used to learn more about historical figures and periods.

Why choose it?
Art history is more suited to those who want to know the story of the past, rather than make a judgement upon its causation.

No prior knowledge of art history is needed, and most courses use the first year to lay a foundation of knowledge. History of Art courses cover some of the most interesting and famous people to ever have existed, and gives students the chance to explore and understand some of mankind’s best creations.

Furthermore, in the UK the culture industries are currently one of the largest sectors for employment. In a world that is becoming increasingly visual, it is a useful, and highly desirable skill to be able to analyse what we are seeing.

What to look for?
Students may also want to look for a course which offers a year abroad.

Entry requirements

• The University of Cambridge offers a course in ‘History of Art’ with a typical A-Level offer of A*AA, or 40-41 points in the IB with 7 6 6 in the Higher Level subjects.
• Oxford Brookes University offers a course in ‘History of Art’ with a typical offer of BBC. For IB and BTEC students have to contact the university.

A-Level subjects
Although very few courses demand specific subjects at A-Level, at least one essay based A-Level subject is recommended by most universities. Frequently suggested advantageous subjects include: History, Art, Religious Studies, English Literature

The numbers
An average of 77.4 % of applicants receive offers for History of Art/Architecture courses. This is a medium-high amount.

History of Art/Architecture courses have a student satisfaction average of 87.1%. This is a high score.

There is an average graduate salary of £19.4K per year but, depending on their university, graduates can earn an average of up to £22K per year. This is a low-medium average salary for graduates.

Careers
People with a degree in History of Art often go on to careers in arts journalism, curatorial posts, museums, advertising, auction houses, media and publishing. Find out more in our Know-how library guide.

 

5. Material Science

Instead of
Chemistry, Physics or Engineering, consider Material Science. Material Science courses are frequently offered as joint honours with Engineering.

What is it?
Material Science is the study of a material’s properties and how they can be used; it is an interdisciplinary subject which incorporates physics and chemistry as well as engineering. These courses teach students the skills needed to develop new materials and invent new ways to manufacture them.

Why choose it?
This course is suited to students who are interested in the performance of materials, material processing, as well their scientific properties.

Material science graduates are likely to always be in demand due to constantly developing technology and materials which companies want to adapt with. For example, Boeing engineers and developers have recently invented the lightest metal ever, which they believe will be the future of aero technology.

A degree in material science gives you an industry-tailored skill set. Furthermore, degrees with Material Science are less competitive than Engineering alone. For example Manchester University only accepts 36% of applicants for Engineering, but 89% of applicants for Material Science and Engineering.

What to look for?
Some courses offer Chartered Engineer Status upon graduation and some are accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).

Many universities offer state of the art equipment which students also may want to consider.

Entry requirements

• Imperial College London offers a course in ‘Material Science and Engineering’ with a typical A-Level offer of A*AA, or 37 required points for IB, with a 6 in Maths or Physics at Higher Level.
• Swansea University offers a course in ‘Materials Science and Engineering’ with a typical A-Level offer of AAB-BBB, or 32 required points for IB.

A-Level subjects
A-levels in Mathematics and Physics are often required.

The numbers
An average of 83.2% of applicants receive offers for courses in, or incorporating, Material Science. This is a high amount.

Courses in, or incorporating, Material Science have a 79.5% student satisfaction average. This is a high score.

There is an average graduate salary of £25.6K per year but, depending on their university, graduates can earn an average of up to £28K per year. This is a high average graduate salary range.

Careers
People with a degree in or incorporating Material Science often go on to careers in the manufacturing industry, becoming design and materials engineers. Alternatively, it is also possible to work in finance, consultancy and IT with this degree.