When You Don’t Know What You Want
Choosing a major often feels like choosing your entire future. At 17 or 18, that’s a heavy burden. Some students grow up dreaming of being doctors, engineers, or lawyers. But for many, the answer isn’t so clear — and that’s normal.
In fact, research shows that 30–40% of university students worldwide start their degree undecided or change their major within the first year. Not knowing doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re standing at a crossroads where career counselling can guide you toward clarity.
Why Students Struggle with Choosing a Major
Undecided students are rarely indecisive by nature — they’re simply overwhelmed by options and expectations. Common doubts include:
- What if I choose the wrong course and waste years of study?
- What if my family expects one path, but I feel drawn elsewhere?
- What if I pick something safe but end up stuck in a career I don’t enjoy?
For international students, the pressure is even higher. With families investing heavily in tuition and living costs abroad, the fear of making the “wrong choice” can feel paralysing.
What Career Counselling Actually Offers
Good career counselling is not about selling you a “popular” degree. It’s about aligning your personality, strengths, and goals with real-world opportunities. Here’s what to expect:
1. Personal Assessments
Career counsellors often use aptitude and personality tests to uncover natural strengths. Analytical students may thrive in data science, while communicators might find success in management or law. These assessments provide an evidence-based foundation to explore majors.
2. Exploring Options Beyond the Obvious
Most students only see the “big four” choices — medicine, engineering, business, and law. But modern industries are evolving. Counsellors introduce fields like:
- Cybersecurity (UK average salary: £55,000–£70,000)
- Financial Technology (FinTech) (UK average salary: £50,000+)
- Luxury Brand Management (rapidly expanding in the UAE and UK)
- Healthcare Project Management (UK NHS managers earn £40,000–£60,000)
These “hidden-gem” courses are less saturated and often lead to faster career growth.
3. Linking Courses to Careers
A major is only a starting point. Counselling connects degrees to employability. For instance:
- An undecided student who enjoys problem-solving might be guided to MSc Information Technology with Project Management at UWS London.
- Another with an interest in finance but no IT background could pursue MSc Financial Technology — designed for non-IT students.
- Students drawn to creativity and branding might discover the MBA in Luxury Branding — perfect for those eyeing careers in fashion, hospitality, or premium retail.
4. Emotional Guidance
Being undecided carries guilt — especially when parents compare their child to peers who “already know.” Good counselling addresses these emotional pressures and helps families understand that clarity comes from exploration, not panic.
The Parent Perspective
Parents often feel anxious when their child hasn’t chosen a major. In cultures across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, education is seen as a family investment.
Counselling provides reassurance to parents by showing them:
- Their child isn’t “behind” — they’re in the process of making an informed choice.
- Clear career pathways exist even for less traditional majors.
- UK universities value clarity and alignment over prestige.
By involving families in sessions, counsellors bridge expectations and prevent conflicts later.
Why International Students Need Counselling More
For students planning to study in the UK, career counselling is essential:
- One-year Master’s programmes mean less time to “figure it out” compared to longer systems.
- Employers now expect international graduates to demonstrate alignment between their course and their job applications.
- Post-study work visas (Graduate Route — 18 months) are short; wasting time in unrelated jobs can cost opportunities.
Counselling ensures you start with focus — maximising your degree and employability.
Real Career Pathways & Salaries
To show how majors link to jobs, here are examples of common counselling outcomes:
- Project Management (IT/Healthcare/Business): UK salaries range £40,000–£60,000.
- Data Analytics & FinTech: Entry roles start at £35,000–£45,000, quickly rising with experience.
- Cybersecurity: Specialists are in global demand, earning £55,000–£70,000+.
- Luxury Branding & Marketing: Graduates in Dubai or London can earn £35,000–£50,000, with high growth in premium sectors.
This data reassures students (and parents) that “undecided” doesn’t mean “unemployable.” It just means choosing carefully.
How Erudmite Approaches Undecided Students
At Erudmite, we view undecided students as open-minded explorers. Our process includes:
- One-on-one education counselling to uncover strengths.
- Mapping goals against UK university admissions requirements.
- Highlighting bursary options — UWS offers up to 40% bursaries, and countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia subsidise international education.
- Using Parlo to boost spoken English — critical for employability in the UK and Dubai.
Instead of rushing a decision, we build a roadmap that balances passion, practicality, and opportunity.
What to Expect in a Counselling Session
- Honest discussion of goals and fears.
- Personality and aptitude insights.
- Clear mapping of majors to job markets.
- Exploration of flexible pathways (e.g., IT, project management, or healthcare management).
- Guidance for both students and parents.
Final Thought
Being undecided is not a weakness. It’s a powerful moment of possibility — if guided correctly. With structured career counselling, students can turn confusion into clarity, aligning study choices with real-world opportunities and long-term success.
FAQs
1. Is it normal to start university undecided?
Yes. Up to 40% of students do. Counselling helps you avoid wasting years on the wrong fit.
2. Can I change my major after starting?
Yes, but switching can be costly. Early clarity saves money and time.
3. Does being undecided affect UK university admissions?
It can — admissions teams want clear motivation. Counselling ensures your SOP and CV reflect alignment.
4. Do I need an IT background for UK technology-related courses?
Not always. At UWS London, courses like MSc Financial Technology and MSc IT with Project Management are open to non-IT students. Only MSc Cyber Security requires prior IT knowledge.
5. How do parents fit into counselling?
At Erudmite, parents are encouraged to join sessions to align expectations and reduce pressure.
6. Can undecided students still apply for scholarships or bursaries?
Yes. In fact, a clear counselling roadmap strengthens your application for funding.
