What to study abroad

When it comes to choosing the discipline or subject area you want to study at your future college or university, you may stumble or get blocked in your route towards finding the right answer. Many of you who just finished or are about to complete high school or even a Bachelor’s degree, simply don’t have a clear idea about the future career path and that leads to confusion in terms of what’s the best study option for you.

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The good news is you’re not alone; many students face this problem, but you can always find a way to figure out a solution.

What can you become after you study a certain discipline?

Sometimes, if you know more details about a certain career, it will suddenly become more clear about what you should choose to study. Discover the most popular disciplines students go abroad to study and the careers you can pursue after graduation. Find out more about what you can study and become if you pick a degree in engineering, computer science and IT, design, fashion, law, business, social sciences, hospitality or art.

Compare Bachelor programmes worldwide

1. Engineering – become a skilled technologist and build better, safer products

Engineering is one of the most popular fields of study these days and universities worldwide provide numerous specialisations in this area. Engineering degrees lead to interdisciplinary careers and the demand for professional engineers increases each year. Engineers are the ones that make our world a little more efficient, smarter and quicker.

See how engineering degrees lead to interdisciplinary careers.

Find out what can you become with a degree in:

mechanical engineering - rail system engineer, maintenance inspector, engine designer, patent clerk

electrical engineering - power generation tester, electrical systems engineer, electrical safety inspector

civil engineering - construction engineer, structural engineer, building control surveyor

biomedical engineering - biomechanic engineer, bio-materials engineer

chemical engineering - plant systems operator, production technician, food scientist

2. Computer science – translate machine codes and unravel web puzzles

It’s no news to anyone that we are living in the digital era so every industry. Most global companies from anywhere in this world have a high demand for computer geniuses. For this reason, most universities provide Bachelor and Master degrees in computer science in a wide array of specialisations like information technology, web design, IT security, data science and more. You'll prepare for a multitude of career opportunities such as:

software developer,

network engineer,

web designer,

game tester,

database manager.

Check out computer science degrees that can help you land a job at Apple or Google.

3. Design – make the perfect transition from sketches to appealing images

If you’ve always thought of yourself as a creative person that also has a keen eye for details, a degree in design might be the perfect fit for you. Designers look into the appearance and physical aspects of a product without overlooking the functionality, usability and overcoming customer satisfaction. Designers are “the brain” behind every concept or idea of a logo, food package, website and more. You can become a

graphics designer,

copy-write visual artist,

advertising editor.

See more about what can you become if you study a degree in design or industrial design.

4. Fashion – be the expert on what’s hot and what’s not

Are you the kind of person who buys tons of fashion magazines and is deeply interested in fashion trends, clothing and accessories? Why not make a career out of this hobby and start with a degree in luxury goods and fashion or in fashion design? These study programmes are not specifically dedicated to people who want to be the next fashion designers. You will learn all there is to know about this industry and for instance, combine your talent for writing with your fashion knowledge and become a fashion journalist or critic.

5. Law – take up the challenge of keeping an even balance

Do you want to bring your contribution to making justice in this world and fight for peoples’ rights? Then maybe you should study law and today, you can choose from several sub-disciplines in this field.

International law deals with international law treaties and settling or mediating disputes between nations and organisations.

Criminal law involves preventing and defending the society from behaviour that is considered harmful such as robbery, murder or drug trafficking.

You can choose to become a:

mediator,

lawyer,

prosecutor,

judge,

legal counsellor,

bailiff.

Find more details on how to choose the right specialisation in law.

6. Business – learn what it means to call the shots and run ventures

Always imagined and thought of yourself that you could successfully run a business? Start building your dream with a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme in business and management. You can decide for an MBA, a degree in marketing, risk management, supply chain and logistics and more.

Some of the most popular study areas in business are:

public administration - learn how governmental policies are made and implemented. Understand how public resources, budgets and public agencies work. Become a clerk, department manager, or local counsellor.

international business - learn how to build and manage a business in a global environment, and how to adapt it to different cultures. You can join the board of a multinational corporation or become part of the middle management.

finance - find out how to maximize company profit and growth. Learn to analyse financial records and statements, use your math, and create financial evaluations. You can become an auditor, actuary, accountant, tax attorney or financial inspector.

7. Social sciences – Piece together history, culture, politics and economics

Social sciences degrees are some of the most versatile in terms of the knowledge and skills they provide to future graduates and also when it comes to career options. Many social sciences degrees overlap and integrate the same theories and principles. For instance, a course in international relations will always include elements related to international communication, although they are two separate degrees.

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Top disciplines connected to social sciences:

economics - learn basic elements of microeconomics and macroeconomics and gain insight on financial markets, issues of the global economic world and factors that influence it. You can become an economics analyst, financial journalist, or teacher.

international relations - find out how international organisations influence government policies and how different cultural and economic factors contribute to international relations between states. You can join the ranks of the diplomatic service or become a freelance consultant for international business.

political science - learn how governments are managed and gain insights on political systems and political parties. Choose between becoming a counsellor, analyst, political journalist, lobbyist, or NGO activist.

international communication - learn the principles of verbal and non-verbal communication in any international context, such as during negotiations or when mediating a conflict between nations, in a trade affair, during a political speech, etc. You can be a PR officer for companies, institutions or political figures.

8. Hospitality and leisure – how satisfying customer needs can be a piece of cake

If you’ve experienced working in tourism and hospitality or have been attracted to the idea of making a career in this field, you’ll be pleased to find out that you can start preparing with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. The overall tourism industry is one of the most prosperous worldwide and specialists in the field will always be in high demand. A degree in tourism and hospitality will teach you how to run a restaurant or a hotel, how to become an expert in customer service and how to attract a large number of clients.

9. Art and art history – Decipher the mystery behind magnificent art masterpieces

If you were always passionate about anything that is related to arts like paintings, sculpture, visual arts, or even photography, you can learn more if you apply to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in one of these fields. Study art history and you can understand how social, cultural and even political factors have contributed to the ideas and work of famous painters and artists in general. You can become an art critic, art broker, art consultant or professor.

Check out Master's degree courses worldwide

Decide what you want to become and you’ll know what you should study

These are just a few examples of disciplines you can select if you want to become a true professional and have a thriving career. However, there are tonnes of other possible and available fields of study and new ones are introduced each year. Once you decide on your study plans, you have managed to overcome the greatest challenge; the rest are just small steps you need to go through.

So think long and hard and do an imagination exercise: figure out what type of career would fit you from top to bottom? You also have to know for sure that you’d enjoy the daily duties of that career and that you’ll be willing to assume any responsibility that job involves. Start searching, explore your options and you’ll soon find out what you’re meant to do.

About the Author

Dana Vioreanu

Dana Vioreanu

Dana has always been passionate about writing and she is now living her dream working as an editorialist. She finds writing articles dedicated to students very interesting, challenging, and above all, amazingly funTogether with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, StudyPortals offers you the chance to receive up to £10,000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.

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