Career opportunities Open Programme

In the UK graduates can use their degree to find employment that's not necessarily related to their degree subject. 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.

What the employer is looking for is the skills that have been developed through academic study, rather than the specific degree subject. 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's important to thoroughly research postgraduate study options as this will help you make the right choice for you. This would include checking you can afford it as the way you pay for postgraduate study is different to how undergraduate study is funded. On the Prospects website you can search postgraduate courses, and find information on funding postgraduate study.