Career opportunities Open Programme

In the UK, many graduates enter employment where a degree in any subject would be acceptable. According to the CBI-Pearson Education & Skills Survey (2018), broader skills such as resilience, communication and problem-solving are also highly important when recruiting, with over half of businesses (60%) rating these skills as among their top three priorities.

In this scenario what employers seek is evidence of the range of competencies that have been developed through academic study, rather than the specific subject content of a given degree. For students and graduates with an Open degree this is particularly applicable.

With competition for graduate positions, it is important to consider a variety of occupational areas. Bear in mind that many careers require further study, training and/or work experience, beyond your degree.

We advise you to thoroughly research your career choices as early as possible, particularly in relation to experience required, differences relating to where you live, or where the study choices you make may affect future opportunities.

Useful links

These resources will help you explore careers areas in further detail.

• Your Study Home

  Careers information tailored to your qualification.

• Prospects

  Career options related to your subject.

• National Careers Service

  Job profile information on variety of roles.

You will also find information about general job vacancy sites, work experience and volunteering at

• Regional and National vacancy sources
• Work experience
• Volunteering

Postgraduate Study

Many graduates undertake further study on completion of their first degree and/or after gaining some relevant work experience. Reasons for doing so include wanting to explore an aspect of their studies in more depth, to further or change their career or because a specific postgraduate qualification is either an entry requirement for their chosen career or would be an advantage if entry is competitive.

It is important to research further study options comprehensively by exploring the range of postgraduate courses and research opportunities on offer, and funding possibilities to ensure you make the correct choice, for the right reasons and importantly that you can afford it, as funding for postgraduate study is very different to the undergraduate system.