If your child knows that they want to go to university but isn’t sure on which subject to study, how can you help them find the one that’s right for them?
With so many subjects to choose from, the options can seem overwhelming but we have some practical advice for parents to help you support your child with the decision.
Your child might have an idea of the sort of career they want which is great and will help them choose their subject. But don’t worry if they don’t know what they want to do – you can help them decide on a subject by looking at other things.
Talk to them about their interests and the subjects they currently enjoy – both in and out of school. For example, are they interested in people and behaviour or prefer working with data and statistics?
To help them narrow down their options, encourage them to think about:
- the subjects and topics they enjoy most
- the type of problems they like solving
- whether they enjoy creative, practical, analytical or people-focused work
- the environments they thrive in
- the skills they want to develop further
Learning style is another important consideration. Some students prefer coursework and project-based learning, while others feel more confident with exams and independent study. Looking at how courses are taught and assessed can help your child find the right fit.
Employability is a major factor for many students when choosing a degree, so it’s worth exploring where different subjects could lead.
Some careers require specific qualifications or accredited degrees, such as nursing, teaching or architecture. Others are more flexible and value transferable skills gained from a range of subjects. For example, careers in marketing, business, tech or the creative industries may be open to graduates from several degree backgrounds.
A good way to explore this is by:
- researching graduate careers linked to different subjects
- looking at job adverts to see what qualifications employers ask for
- exploring professional accreditation requirements
- speaking to current students, graduates or industry professionals
Useful resources include:
We have a quick and easy quiz your child can take that will help them find a subject based on their interests and working style. Your child can take the Future Finder quiz.
For a more in-depth look at subjects, you can help them with some research. This can include looking at course details online which will include a list of modules they will study, potential careers and entry requirements.
Remember that no matter what subject they choose, they will benefit from our careers support including a guaranteed offer of employment for every graduate and the DMU Careers Award.
Our Careers Team will help your child gain the skills and experience employers are looking for and make their CV stand out. They will also get guaranteed work experience on every course – DMU was rated Best for Work Experience by RateMyPlacement in both 2024 and 2025, so they’re in good hands!
According to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey, DMU graduates are more likely to be in highly skilled employment than the sector average.
Discover more about careers and graduate prospects.