The Student Room Group

stuck between courses and career choices- degree apprenticeships or university?

hi! for context, i'm currently studying biology, psychology and geography at my sixth form college and i have done my extra language a level outside of school where i got an A. overall, my predicted UCAS grades are AABC. my choices dont necessarily all cohere for a particular pathway which also makes the decision of finding what's best more difficult.

I have been stuck for the past two years trying to figure out what i want to do in the future because the options seem never-ending to me. they're also all so different which makes the decision even harder for me. i'm open to degree apprenticeships due to the stress of student debt and issues with postgraduate job market that comes after graduating uni. although i think i would thrive in a uni environment and think that would somehow be the better option in terms of getting that uni life experience, discovering new people, interests etc., degree apprenticeships sound more comforting than student debt!

one option is studying psychology at uni because it has always been my favourite subject and something i'm quite passionate about. i would probably look at going into research psychology or civil service in terms of a career choice afterwards. but still unsure because i know that training and time dedicated is intense - but you could say that with any career choice. i have family members that are psychologists and although they are very successful and clearly love what they do it seems tiring and very intense and i dont feel as if the pressure that comes with this is appealing to me.

the idea of civil service came through after a talk i went to. this had appealed to me as it sounded like something i would be interested to do. i was surprised at the fact that people had studied all sorts of different degrees like physics, history or psychology and were able to go into it which is why i think it's another great option.

my next option is studying media communications / digital marketing at uni. this seems like something that would suit my working type and is a comfortable option for me. however i've heard degree apprenticeships are good for this too and from the tests i've taken on UCAS and career advising websites, marketing has been my top pathway as a result. because my grades don't really reach the top uni grade requirements, i have found other unis like reading offering slightly lower requirements which provide with one solid pathway at least.

i'm also interested in interior design however i'm unsure about the courses and degrees and need to look into this a bit more.

my last option would be physiotherapy. i was debating on a degree apprenticeship for this as some unis require bio-chem and i have been advised by my form tutor at college to look into degree apprenticeships for this. this would also be a comforting choice because this in terms of a career i feel it's very beneficial as loads of people need physiotherapists and i could pursue this choice globally if i decide to move out the country. i know the salary is amazing too and i have family friends in the field which could help me start this pathway.

i still feel as though these options aren't endgame for me, so if anyone is willing to give me any advice like why you chose a certain degree or course or career path or any guidance, i would greatly appreciate your help!

many thanks .
Original post by lamegirlmelly
hi! for context, i'm currently studying biology, psychology and geography at my sixth form college and i have done my extra language a level outside of school where i got an A. overall, my predicted UCAS grades are AABC. my choices dont necessarily all cohere for a particular pathway which also makes the decision of finding what's best more difficult.
I have been stuck for the past two years trying to figure out what i want to do in the future because the options seem never-ending to me. they're also all so different which makes the decision even harder for me. i'm open to degree apprenticeships due to the stress of student debt and issues with postgraduate job market that comes after graduating uni. although i think i would thrive in a uni environment and think that would somehow be the better option in terms of getting that uni life experience, discovering new people, interests etc., degree apprenticeships sound more comforting than student debt!
one option is studying psychology at uni because it has always been my favourite subject and something i'm quite passionate about. i would probably look at going into research psychology or civil service in terms of a career choice afterwards. but still unsure because i know that training and time dedicated is intense - but you could say that with any career choice. i have family members that are psychologists and although they are very successful and clearly love what they do it seems tiring and very intense and i dont feel as if the pressure that comes with this is appealing to me.
the idea of civil service came through after a talk i went to. this had appealed to me as it sounded like something i would be interested to do. i was surprised at the fact that people had studied all sorts of different degrees like physics, history or psychology and were able to go into it which is why i think it's another great option.
my next option is studying media communications / digital marketing at uni. this seems like something that would suit my working type and is a comfortable option for me. however i've heard degree apprenticeships are good for this too and from the tests i've taken on UCAS and career advising websites, marketing has been my top pathway as a result. because my grades don't really reach the top uni grade requirements, i have found other unis like reading offering slightly lower requirements which provide with one solid pathway at least.
i'm also interested in interior design however i'm unsure about the courses and degrees and need to look into this a bit more.
my last option would be physiotherapy. i was debating on a degree apprenticeship for this as some unis require bio-chem and i have been advised by my form tutor at college to look into degree apprenticeships for this. this would also be a comforting choice because this in terms of a career i feel it's very beneficial as loads of people need physiotherapists and i could pursue this choice globally if i decide to move out the country. i know the salary is amazing too and i have family friends in the field which could help me start this pathway.
i still feel as though these options aren't endgame for me, so if anyone is willing to give me any advice like why you chose a certain degree or course or career path or any guidance, i would greatly appreciate your help!
many thanks .

If you have not decided yet on future career pathways, getting a russel group degree is great!, However it does come with the debt so an apprenticeship is also a great option however with apprenticeships it is very hard to change sectors as you may have little experience and not related qualifications to other sectors of work.

It all depends on what you want to do, do you want to work yet?, do you want to travel soon?, do you want to move out etc, make your own money?
The thing with student loan is that it works more like a tax off of your income rather than a debt, however it may still not be good to have large student debt, i would think more about what you want. For instance you can start an apprenticeship, realise its not for you as you dont want to work yet and go to uni or vice versa.
Potentially if you are passionate about doing an apprenticeship, try to get work experience with shadowing placements in each sector and see what you like.

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