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Seven In-Demand Degree Subjects That Employers Want
Choosing what to study at university is an important decision that will impact career options down the road. With the job market more competitive than ever, it is wise to consider degree subjects that are in high demand among employers and lead to roles with good job security and salary potential. The following degree subjects open doors to thriving industries with ongoing recruitment needs for skilled graduates.
Engineering
From civil to electrical to mechanical, engineering graduates have been in high demand for decades due to their ability to apply technical and scientific knowledge to real-world systems and infrastructure. Engineers design, build, test and improve everything from buildings to electronics to manufacturing plants. The varied nature of engineering means that roles exist across many industries.
While some engineering disciplines like chemical and biomedical engineering have seen especially high growth, all engineering graduates can expect a wealth of job opportunities, helped by an ongoing shortage of engineers globally. Having an engineering degree signals analytical and problem-solving skills that make graduates very employable for well-paying roles.
Computer Science
In our increasingly digital world, a computer science degree is one of the most employable qualifications. CS graduates possess technical skills to design and develop software, websites, apps, and systems that businesses rely on. Core subjects cover programming, algorithms, databases, operating systems and more. With technology disrupting every sector, qualified computer scientists are needed across industries like finance, healthcare, education and more. Companies large and small actively recruit CS grads for roles like software engineers, developers, systems analysts, and cybersecurity specialists.
Beyond initial qualifications, CS graduates have immense room for career progression through specialising and gaining experience. Lucrative roles like data scientist, machine learning engineer, and CTO are viable options down the road. Overall, computer science graduates enjoy low unemployment rates, competitive starting salaries, and abundant job opportunities. An MSC computer science degree can really help you stand out. You can complete an online computer science master’s at Abertay University. They have an outstanding reputation, and they can help you learn the skills you need to launch your career.
Economics
With businesses operating in an increasingly complex and interconnected global marketplace, the expertise of economics graduates is highly sought after. Economics students gain theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to understand economic problems and policies. Core studies cover macro and microeconomic theory, labour economics, econometrics, international trade and more.
Major corporations recruit economics graduates for forecasting, data analysis, risk assessment and strategic decision-making roles. Their balance of numerical and critical thinking abilities also makes them well-suited to jobs in the public sector, think tanks and management consultancy. Economics provides a versatile degree leading to rewarding careers across banking, business, politics, and academia.
Nursing
With many countries facing ageing populations and increased demand for healthcare services, nursing skills will continue to be in high demand. Nurses provide vital frontline care in hospitals, clinics, care homes and community settings. Nursing degrees cover topics like human anatomy, physiology, medications, disease management and ethical issues. Extensive practical placements develop the clinical skills and compassion that make great nurses.
The varied nature of nursing provides many speciality options, from adult, paediatric and mental health nursing to school, community, and leadership roles. Continuing education also enables experienced nurses to advance into midwifery, healthcare management and lecturing.
Accounting & Finance
For organised, numerical students, an accounting or finance degree is a ticket to steady employment. These lucrative business-focused degrees produce graduates versed in topics like financial reporting, auditing, tax, investments, risk analysis and more. Such expertise is indispensable for major corporations as well as small businesses and start-ups.
Graduates qualify for essential roles like financial analyst, accountant, auditor, and investment banker. Further qualifications can also lead to high-level positions like CFO or finance director. The practical nature of accounting and finance degrees makes graduates extremely employable and valuable in the job market.
Psychology
Mental health awareness and emotional well-being have come to the forefront globally, driving the demand for qualified psychologists higher each year. Psychology students gain a scientific understanding of human thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and motivations. Core studies build insight into how biological, social, and environmental factors influence the human psyche.
Psychology graduates are well prepared for roles in mental healthcare, social work, education, human resources and more. Further studies also enable qualification as registered psychologists and psychotherapists. For students fascinated by human nature and behaviour, psychology offers a path to an impactful career improving people’s lives.
Law
Legal expertise is indispensable to society, ensuring justice, resolving disputes, and protecting rights through interpretation and enforcement of the law. A law degree provides the foundational knowledge required for a career as a solicitor or barrister, covering key legal principles, case law, ethics, and legislation.
Beyond legal practice, a law degree opens doors to a wide range of careers drawing on analytical and advocacy abilities. Graduates are valued by investment banks, consultancies, regulatory bodies, and the public sector. Their broad professional applicability makes law graduates highly employable in fields as diverse as business, finance, politics, journalism, and education.
In our fast-changing job landscape, making strategic degree choices is key to long-term career success. While passion and interest should drive study selections, opting for subjects aligned with employer needs amplifies opportunities upon graduating. The above seven-degree subjects tick all boxes – combining intellectual stimulation, real-world applicability, and strong commercial demand.
