What to study when you don’t know what to study

It’s a tale as old as time, told by countless teens straight out of high school: “I don’t know what to study.”

But here’s the secret adults don’t want you to know: almost nobody has a clear idea of what career they want when they’re 17 or 18. So, you’re not weird or ‘falling behind’ just because you’re not sure what you should study at university – or even if you’re still on the fence about going to uni in the first place.

However, you probably shouldn’t sit around at home indefinitely waiting for your future to reveal itself. Not having a dream job isn’t a reason to put off your studies. In fact, it could be the opposite – getting stuck into a university program may help you discover your dream job sooner.

So, where do you start? What’s the right degree when you don’t have a degree in mind? Well, your best bet for discovering your passion(s) is to start with a program that lets you explore a few different areas at once.

The UQ programs we’ve highlighted below are ideal for students who don’t know what to study yet. You could find your calling within the degree itself and continue onto graduation, or you may get a glimpse of something you’re more interested in and transfer into a more specific program.

If any of these statements call out to you, feel free to jump ahead:

• I’m curious about arts and humanities
• I want to help people
• I’m interested in business
• I’ve got a scientific mind
• I like solving problems
• I’m good with computers

I don’t know what to study, but I’m curious about arts and humanities

Studying the Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a fantastic way to pack your portfolio with universal skills and knowledge. You’ll get to discover what you’re passionate about while preparing yourself to succeed in any workplace.

As a BA student, you’ll have access to over 45 study areas to major in, along with countless elective courses to consider. The majors available in the Bachelor of Arts include:

• English Literature
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Writing
• Art History
• Drama
• Studies in Religion
• Geography
• Anthropology
• international languages (including Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian and German).

You can expand your potential passions even further with an arts dual degree. The Bachelor of Arts can be paired with 17 other programs at UQ, giving you a plethora of study areas to explore.

Learn more about the UQ Bachelor of Arts

I don’t know what to study, but I want to help people

If you’re passionate about helping others and making a difference in people’s lives, a degree in health or medicine could be just what the doctor ordered. (And that doctor may just be you from the future.)

Studying the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the Bachelor of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences is a great way to dip your toes into the world of healthcare and discover if it’s right for you.

Both these flexible programs can prepare you for either a clinical or non-clinical career, depending on your preferences. You’ll graduate ready to progress into a clinical postgraduate program (like the Doctor of Medicine) or a non-clinical postgraduate program (like the Master of Public Health) if you meet the other entry requirements.

If your calling lies in the healthcare space, you’re sure to find it during your time in either of these programs.

Learn more about the UQ Bachelor of Health Sciences Learn more about the UQ Bachelor of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences

I don’t know what to study, but I’m interested in business

Wondering if a career in business might work for you? There are many facets to the world of business – from marketing and economics to leadership and entrepreneurship – so it can be tricky to find the niche that suits you best.

Luckily, the Bachelor of Business Management gives you a bit of everything that this study area has to offer. You can take various electives to explore the topics that interest you, and you’ll choose from 7 majors:

• Business Economics
• Business Information Systems
• Human Resources
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• International Business
• Leadership and Management Science
• Marketing.

Whichever path you take, you’ll learn from passionate experts who are actively researching and consulting within their industries. This means you’ll develop the skill set to adapt to any business environment – even if you end up switching to a different degree or career path.

Learn more about the UQ Bachelor of Business Management

I don’t know what to study, but I’ve got a scientific mind

If you’ve got a scientific mind or an insatiable curiosity, a degree in science might be a perfect fit for you. Studying the Bachelor of Science is a great way to find out. This flexible program gives you the freedom to work out which branches of science you’re passionate about and tailor your studies accordingly.

There are around 25 majors (and even more minors) to choose from, including:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Ecology and Conservation Biology
• Food Science and Nutrition
• Marine Biology
• Microbiology
• Physics
• Public Health
• Zoology.

You can also complement your scientific studies with a minor from a different field, such as economics, humanities, communication, design, or an international language.

Learn more about the UQ Bachelor of Science Learn more about the UQ Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) 

I don’t know what to study, but I like solving problems

Do you get a rush from finding the best solution to a challenge? UQ’s Bachelor of Design can help you hone that skill and apply it to any workplace you find yourself in.

Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t exclusively a program for aspiring graphic designers or architects. The Bachelor of Design is actually a multidisciplinary program, bringing together elements from various study areas across business, architecture, IT, and the humanities. This makes it ideal for students who don’t know what to study, as you’ll get to build a flexible range of skills to help you thrive in any industry.

This program is all about developing the right mindset to challenge conventions, generate ideas, and solve all kinds of problems, from business problems to societal ones. You’ll graduate with high-level critical thinking and the ability to design effective and creative solutions – highly valuable skills for any career path you might take.

You’ll also get to choose from 6 majors to match your interests:

• Anthropology
• Buildings and Environment
• Environment and Society
• Information Environments
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Media and Digital Cultures.

Learn more about UQ’s Bachelor of Design

I don’t know what to study, but I'm good with computers

Are you a whiz on the keyboard? Are you fascinated by digital technologies like AI, big data, and automation?

Your tech savviness could lead you to a rewarding career working with computers, and the Bachelor of Computer Science can help you decide if that’s something you’d like to pursue.

In this program, you’ll gain a deep understanding of all aspects of computer technology and a skill set that’s in high demand around the world. You’ll also get to specialise in the area you’re most interested in by studying one of these majors:

• Cyber Security
• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Programming Languages
• Scientific Computing.

While this program unlocks plenty of career possibilities that you’d expect from a computer science degree (like data scientist, machine learning engineer and cyber security analyst), it’s also more versatile than you might think. The skills you learn here – such as programming and data analysis – can also give you a competitive edge in a wide range of other fields, keeping you highly employable in a rapidly evolving world.

Learn more about UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science

What if I change my mind?

If someone tells you that you only get one shot at choosing the right university degree, don’t listen to them. Once you’re studying a program, it’s usually possible to switch into something different along the way, providing you meet the entry requirements and maintain good grades in your current courses. You’ll sometimes be able to credit some of your completed courses towards your new degree as well.

Finally, a reminder: you don’t need to know exactly what job you’re aiming for when you start your university program. Many students have only a rough idea (or no idea at all) when they first begin, and they discover their ideal career path through their studies. And that’s OK.