How universities are adapting to the careers of the future

With more ways than ever to gain the skills needed for your future career, find out how universities are responding to the ever-changing job market.

CAREER PROSPECTS CAREERS CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY

Tamsin Mosse 27 Feb 2024

A student starting their first job after university

Degrees in emerging industries
The rise of alternative education paths
Continuous learning for building and keeping a successful career

The job market dynamics in the UK have been undergoing significant changes, driven by factors such as technological advancements, shifting industry landscapes and evolving workforce needs. To stay relevant, universities need to adapt their offer by embracing the latest innovations, work in collaboration with employers and provide more flexible learning options for students.

Degrees in emerging industries

Some of the emerging industries in the modern job market include technology and innovation, and sustainable and green businesses. Examples include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and blockchain development, along with renewable energy, green construction, electric vehicles and environmental consultancy.

Universities are responding to these emerging industries by adapting their courses to give students the knowledge and skills they need. For example, university programmes now cover topics like AI, renewable energy and circular economy principles. Many universities collaborate with industry leaders to stay current and partner with local businesses to respond in practical ways by organising talks, workshops and work placements.

Some universities establish centres of excellence dedicated to specific emerging fields and others have a reputation for entrepreneurial ventures supporting students to turn their ideas into businesses through incubator, accelerator and mentorship programmes.

The rise of alternative education paths

The educational landscape is also evolving with alternative ways to study and learn. Some examples include:

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) - give open access to many students covering diverse topics often created by top university experts. Individuals learn at their own pace through videos, discussion forums, quizzes and written content. FutureLearn, Coursera and edX are notable examples
Online Distance Learning – universities offer accredited degrees through virtual classrooms
Vocational training – focus on practical skills needed for specific careers
Degree Apprenticeships –a relatively new way for students to simultaneously gain an undergraduate or master’s degree while working on the job in their chosen industry

These alternative routes tend to be more flexible, enabling students to study at their own pace around other commitments. This also makes for a more accessible option for many people although competition can be fierce for some vocational and apprenticeship roles.

Cost wise, these are often more affordable than traditional degrees. Online courses don’t usually come with hefty tuition fees and apprentices earn a modest salary while studying.

Depending on your starting point and other responsibilities, you may find it takes longer to acquire the skills you need. This is by no means a given, in theory a degree apprenticeship takes the same length of time as a traditional degree.

Continuous learning for building and keeping a successful career

The idea of a single career path from graduation to retirement has been fading for some time in our society. Continuous learning is now seen as essential for personal growth, career progression and economic prosperity. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) should be an embedded culture in organisations of all sizes to help employees keep up to date with the latest innovations.

Government initiatives such as Skills Bootcamps are being expanded across the country. These fully funded programmes offer digital, technical and green skills training, leading to new job opportunities. Other upskilling and reskilling schemes include the Skills Accelerator and the National Skills Fund.

The job market has seen a rapid advancement in technology. Jobs that didn’t exist a decade ago are now in high demand and skills like data science, AI and cybersecurity are critical. Remote working and the gig economy were accelerated by the pandemic and the focus on sustainability and environmental impact is also growing.

Traditional degrees alone may not be enough while flexible learning models offer students and professionals a way of acquiring new skills in a variety of ways more suited to their learning style. This dynamic approach responds to industry demands and builds a more resilient economy.