Have you ever wondered what the easiest degrees to study in the UK are? We have- In fact, getting a degree, without spending every waking hour studying is exactly what we’re after. Now we have to be honest here, the easiest degree is going to be the one that you have the most natural talent for. However, there are some degrees with lower entry requirements and fewer exams than others. So, if you’re applying to university this year and aren’t sure what course to study then look no further. These are some of the easiest degrees that you can study at university.
11. Media Studies
Media Studies comes up time and time again as one of the easier degrees to study, however, it can be an incredibly useful subject. In this degree, you’ll learn how the media influences and reflects our society and you’ll develop plenty of analysis and research skills. If you’re interested, you can apply to study at London Metropolitan University for 32 UCAS points – which is for a combined Media and Communications degree. Or Media with a foundation year at Keele University for 40 UCAS points, which is less than EEE A Level grades.
10. Hospitality management
Hospitality Management is a degree that’s popular all around the world these days, and one of the easiest university degrees. Plus it often has lower entry requirements than most. It will help you develop key business skills, as well as gain knowledge of key hospitality legalisation and procedures. It’s a great option if you’d like to go into hospitality management or a business position in the future. Study options include- the University of Highlands and Islands for only 21-24 UCAS points, the University of Bedfordshire for 32- 48 UCAS points, and Cardiff Metropolitan University for 32 UCAS points.
9. English Literature
If you enjoy settling down with a good book, then a degree in English Literature will be like a walk in a park. English Lit demands a lot of writing and analysis but it is an incredibly creative and rewarding subject for those who love to read. Unlike other subjects like the sciences, there are no right or wrong answers in an English lit paper. It’s all about how well you shape your argument and back your points up. If you are unsure what you want to do after university, then English lit can open up a lot of doors. Some examples include being a writer, teacher, editor or publicist. The English literature degrees with the lowest entry requirements include the Staffordshire University for 48 UCAS points, or Keele University for 40 UCAS points.
8. Education
Education degree graduates tend to move into teaching which can be a diverse and rewarding career. In your studies, you will look at education in different social, economic and political contexts and develop teaching skills. Some of the universities with the lowest entry requirements for Education include the University of Wolverhampton (1 – 48 UCAS points) and a range of PGDEs at the University of the Highlands and Islands (21 – 24 UCAS points). Bedfordshire or London Metropolitan with a foundation year for 32 UCAS points.
7. Music
Music degrees are growing in popularity and there are more and more specialisms to choose from these days. If you are musically talented then this degree will be a no brainer for you and will easily be one of the easiest university degrees. Graduates go on to do a range of jobs such as an actor, a production assistant, sound engineer and public relations assistant. There’s a range of courses available from Music Business to Songwriting, and courses start as low as 18 UCAS points (Commercial Songwriting at The Academy of Contemporary Music).
6. Graphic Design
Likewise, if you are creatively minded then you might want to consider a degree in Graphic Design. Degrees tend to focus on the importance of ideas based thinking when applied to branding, identity design, packaging and digital design. It’s on our list for easiest degrees because some entry requirements are lower. For example, you can study Graphic Design at Buckinghamshire New University or London Metropolitan University if you have 32 UCAS points, or the University of Sunderland if you have 40 UCAS points.
5. Philosophy
Philosophy can be a really fascinating degree and a good choice if you wanted to keep your options open after university. In fact, philosophy majors often go on to work as lawyers, bankers, counsellors, business leaders or teachers. There are plenty of universities that you can study this degree at in the UK, with lower UCAS points. For example, Keele University asks for 40 UCAS points, while Birkbeck University, Birmingham Newman University and University of West England in Bristol ask for 48, along with several others.
4. Anthropology
Are you interested in what makes people act the way that they do? Well, anthropology sets out to investigate human society; from the physical evolution of the brain to political, cultural and linguistic practices. If you like the sound of this, you can study a degree in Anthropology at the University of Plymouth for 32 UCAS points or the University of Winchester for 48. It’s high on our list of easiest university degrees in the UK.
3. Creative Writing
If you love writing, then a degree in Creative Writing will be a breeze for you. London Metropolitan University runs an Creative Writing with English Literature BA (Hons) with a foundation year for only 32 UCAS points. As do the University of Plymouth and Teesside University. There are also plenty of short courses and foundation years available for creative writing, which is something else to bear in mind.
2. Make-up
Hair and make-up degrees offer students the practical skills to work in a range of industries such as fashion, theatre and entertainment. Graduates go on to a range of roles such as a bridal makeup artist, a theatrical and performance make-up artist, a beauty writer, or working in special effects makeup. There are a lot of universities that you can study for a makeup degree at. These include the University of Highlands and Islands for 21-24 UCAS points and 64 points for University of Northampton, who offer a degree in Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen.
1. Liberal Arts
If you don’t want a degree that forces you to specialise then a Liberal Arts one may be the best option. This degree can set you up for a range of roles in the future such as journalism, working as a museum curator, or in marketing, business and politics. In general, the degree is designed to help you improve key skills such as communication, problem-solving and critical thinking. Study this degree at St Mary’s for 80 UCAS points.
Alternatively, if you’re still stuck for ideas on what to study at university. Then check out our list of the most useful university degrees to study in the UK: 2023 too.
Identifying the "easiest" degree in the UK is subjective and varies a lot depending on your individual strengths and interests. However, some degrees are generally considered less demanding. For instance, Liberal Arts is often mentioned as it doesn't require students to specialise too narrowly. Other degrees like Make-up, Creative Writing, Anthropology, and Philosophy are also considered among the easier options.
There are quite a few university courses in the UK that are considered easier compared to others. This doesn't necessarily mean they require less work, but they might have more flexible curricula, lower entry requirements, or subjects that are less intensive in terms of technical content or research. The availability of such courses offers a range of options for students with different academic strengths and interests.
The easiest degrees to pass in the UK typically include courses where the assessment is more subjective and less reliant on exams, such as Creative Writing or Philosophy. Degrees in fields like Liberal Arts and Anthropology are also mentioned for their broader and more flexible curricula, which can make them easier to pass for some students. But generally the easiest one to pass depends on your own strengths.
