what degree should i do?

im in yr11 right now. i've always really wanted to study english or sociology at university but they don't really offer great job pathways after graduation. i was thinking of doing economics instead but i'm really bad at maths and i'm not planning on taking it for a levels.

Reply 1

LondonMetIz

Official Rep

Original post

by username.s01

Hi there!

I can understand the stress of wanting to pick the best path for your future now, I was really concerned in year 11, too. But I think the most important thing is for you to pick something to study which you enjoy! Life has an infinite number of pathways you can go down - some people end up working an entirely different job than the degree they left university with! This is the time of your life where you can explore and learn, and a degree in English or Sociology is certainly a notable achievement. And there will be plenty of opportunities available for you in the future 🙂

It is better to leave university with a degree happy than to leave completely burnt out and frustrated; if you try to push yourself into a field you know you won't enjoy, I think it would be rather difficult to gain much from it. So in my opinion I would say to go for what you enjoy! And have fun with your studies!

I hope this could help a bit. Good luck!!

Reply 2

McGinger

Don't focus on 'career'.

A degree is an opportunity to have your brain stretched, to learn new analytical, and reasoning skills.
Its this that employers want - not the specific subject knowledge. This is why you see job ads asking for 'graduate (any discipline)'. You will find Humanities/Arts and Social Science grads in a thousand different career areas and usually with no direct connection to their degree. The point about 'going to Uni' is to study that you really enjoy, and that is a big part of your student experience.

There will be possible add-ons that give your degree more practical applications - everything from a work-placement within your degree, to studying a joint-subject degree - English with Education, or Management, or Journalism etc etc, Sociology with Law, or Social Policy or Psychology etc etc.

Look at the widest range of degree subjects - everything and anything that interests and intrigues you. You might be surprised how many subjects have no specific A level subject requirements, everything from Law to Anthropology.

Undergraduate Courses, Degrees : Study : University of Sussex
Subject Areas | Undergraduate | Newcastle University

Reply 3

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by username.s01

Hi there,

At LSBU, I want to reassure you that we don’t focus too heavily on the specific course you took in college when considering your application. For most of our undergraduate programmes, including Economics, the main entry requirements are a GCSE grade C/4 or above in both Maths and English and 112 UCAS points from any A-levels or equivalent qualifications.

We’re also quite flexible in some cases; we accept Level 2 Maths if you haven’t achieved a GCSE at the required grade. So even if you’re not taking A-level Maths, don’t worry; you can still be considered.

What’s most important to us is your interest in the subject and your willingness to engage and grow. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Reply 4

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi @username.s01

It’s great that you’re already thinking ahead about university!

First off, it’s important to remember that no degree on its own guarantees a job. What really makes the difference is how you use your time at university to build your experience and skills — things like internships, part-time work, volunteering, and attending careers events can all make a big impact when you graduate.

Since university is a big commitment (usually at least three years), it’s worth choosing a subject you genuinely enjoy and can stay motivated in. English and Sociology are both fantastic degrees that help you develop valuable transferable skills like critical thinking, communication, and research — all of which are highly valued in many sectors.

If you're considering Economics but are worried about the maths side of things, that’s totally understandable. At LJMU, we offer a Business with Finance and Economics course (rather than a standalone Economics course), and you don’t need A-Level Maths to apply — just a minimum of BBC in your A-Level subjects (or equivalent). You can read more about the course here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2026/37057-business-with-finance-and-economics-bsc-hons

Every university and course is different, so it’s a good idea to start exploring university websites and comparing course content/module options. Make a note of anything that catches your interest which can help guide your choices later on.

Also, open days are a brilliant way to get a feel for different subjects and campuses, even if you're still deciding. Many universities are also on Unibuddy, where you can chat with current students about their experiences.

Here are a couple of links you might find helpful to explore career prospects from English and Social Science degrees:
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/subjects/english-literature-and-creative-writing
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/subjects/social-science

There’s also English Language and Linguistics degrees you could look into.

And just to share a real-life example — I’m currently studying a postgraduate degree in the social sciences, and one of my coursemates who studied Sociology and Criminology at undergraduate is now working in local government on regeneration projects in Wales. So there are lots of routes you can take with these degrees.

Wishing you all the best with your GCSEs and future decisions 🙂

Megan (LJMU Rep)