A look ahead: The top 10 degrees poised for future growth and opportunity

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06 Dec 2024

The best degrees for the future don't always have to be AI-related. Source: AFP

Choosing what to study at university can be a difficult decision.

You have to take into consideration the time, effort and money put into earning your qualification and how it will prepare you for a successful future. Will your future career have a good return on investment? That’s a question many ponder.

And then there’s the kicker – nowadays, job security isn’t even fully guaranteed, with 2024 being a year of layoffs left and right. It’s not uncommon to wonder if your degree will one day be obsolete.

As such, it is important to choose one of the best degrees for the future that will guarantee you find employment and earn well. Job security is one thing, but it must come with a fair wage too.

Let’s take a look at some degrees that have been deemed future-proof:

Rather dystopian, don’t you think? Source: AFP

These ones are a no-brainer, of course

You’ll find many other articles – ours included, for that matter – that talk about how the best degrees for the future are in artificial intelligence, IT, engineering and computer science. Not only will your career be in good hands, but you’ll earn a fat paycheck to boot; for reference, junior data scientists can rake in a median salary of US$77,267.

Indeed – the future seems to be tech-ridden, and there’s no way around it. The Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) released a list of jobs that are expected to grow rapidly by 2031, with top candidates being roles in these fields.

But while some companies are using AI to enhance productivity and create new opportunities, others are replacing human labour with automated systems.

For a recent example, look at that Spotify Wrapped that you waited weeks for at the end of 2024, only for it to call you a pink pilates princess just because you listened to Sabrina Carpenter on repeat. You can thank AI for that!

Businesses are seeking out experts able to engineer and control these new technologies while laying off human workers in the process. This has dramatically shifted the already-saturated market, creating one of the most demoralising cycles of hope and disappointment for job seekers.

So where does that leave the rest of us non-tech folk, then?

As much as it is a grim reminder of our increasingly automated world, not all is lost. There are still many industries with certain roles that don’t require AI, engineering, or any of those big, fancy tech know-how.

Here are our top recommendations for the best degrees of the future:

Healthcare will always be a future-proof field. Source: AFP

Eight best degrees for the future to ensure success:

1. Nursing

With a nursing degree, you will be able to secure employment in many different areas of healthcare. This includes caring for the sick, providing emotional support, and helping patients while working in a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital.

According to BLS, the demand for registered nurses is expected to grow by 46% by the year 2031 — the highest projected growth than any other occupation in the US. This surpasses the average growth rate of 8% across all professions in that same time period.

Registered nurses in the US earn a salary of US$94,163 a year, making it one of the highest-paid jobs.

To become a registered nurse, complete your degree at one of these top universities for nursing:

King’s College London, UK
Monash University Clayton, Australia
University of Pennsylvania, US

Culinary arts is one of the best degrees for the future, as predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Source: David Becker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images/AFP

2. Culinary Arts

Nothing beats the delicate and expert touch and finesse of a chef preparing your meal – not even AI. Even if it could, Gordon Ramsay would probably still yell at it.

For those interested in the culinary arts, your future looks bright: the employment of chefs and head cooks is predicted to increase by 15% by 2031, with over 24,300 jobs expected to open in this field.

As a chef in the US, you can expect to earn around US$56,221 annually or higher for those with more experience in the field.

Many universities around the world offer a degree in culinary arts that will ensure you are career-ready. Here are some of the best:

Le Cordon Bleu London, UK
Le Cordon Bleu, Australia
The Culinary Institute of America, US

3. Economics and Finance

Though you can choose to pursue either economics or finance separately, studying both subjects will give you knowledge in both areas and give you the extra edge that employers are looking for.

This combined degree will provide you with a better understanding of world trade, economic models, marketing, and management. As a graduate in this field, you will be able to find employment in many sectors, especially the banking and insurance industries.

On average, you will earn up to US$74,159 annually as a financial analyst in the US. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about securing a job, as the demand for a financial analyst is expected to increase by 9% by 2031.

Get a degree in economics and finance from some of the top universities in the world to secure a successful career:

London School of Economics, UK
The University of Sydney, Australia
Harvard University, US

The world’s population is ageing, and the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2050. Source: AFP

4. Physiology

The physical therapy sector is seeing increased demand, a natural response to the world’s ageing population. Careers such as physician assistants, occupational therapy assistants, home health and personal care aides are all slated to rise by over 20% respectively by 2031.

You will typically require a degree in kinesiology or psychology to begin with. Undergraduate degrees in athletic training can also qualify. If you’d like to practice as a physical therapist in the US, you must also earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy from an accredited programme and pass a state licensure exam.

Interested in earning up to US$90,342 a year? Explore options for this highly specialised field in these universities:

University of Southern California (USC), US
Loughborough University, UK
New York University, US

5. Business

A business degree is one of the most common academic paths students take, as it leads to some of the most in-demand jobs. This degree provides a broad education that includes finance, advertising, marketing, economics, and the art of negotiation.

With a degree in business, you will be able to work in almost any industry.

A degree in business can prepare students for a lucrative career with an annual salary of US$84,782 annually. Not only that, those in this field will have many employment opportunities as an increase of almost 56,500 new jobs is expected to open by 2031.

Study at these universities to gain a business degree that will prepare you for the future:

University of Oxford, UK
University of Melbourne, Australia
Harvard University, US

6. Digital Marketing

The growth of digital media has risen in the last decade with the increased use of computers, smartphones, and tablets. These devices have changed the way we consume media.

As such, there has been a growth in the number of digital marketing jobs available; it is among the ten most in-demand jobs, with over 860,000 openings.

In your programme, you will learn a range of skills, including graphic design, content development, and social media strategy to help businesses. Working in the digital marketing sector in the US can earn you up to US$61,037 a year.

Interested? Check out these universities around the world for the best digital marketing programme:

University of Southampton, UK
La Trobe University, Australia
Arizona State University, US

Even our furry friends need medical attention sometimes. Source: AFP

7. Veterinary medicine

Similar to healthcare for humans, veterinary experts, assistants, and animal caretakers will always be needed to diagnose, treat, and perform complicated procedures on our furry companions.

Why is this area seeing an increase in demand? For starters, millennials are increasingly adopting pets before they have children, and more of them adopt while still single. Baby Boomers aren’t an exception either, as many also adopt pets to occupy their free time.

If you’re an animal lover and want to consider going into veterinary medicine, common majors include animal science, biology, zoology, and microbiology. The field also yields generous returns, with qualified veterinarians earning up to US$125,320 a year.

Interested? Here are some of the best universities in the world that offer excellent degrees in veterinary medicine:

Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK
University of California, Davis, US
Vetsuisse Faculty Bern and Zurich, Switzerland

8. Substance abuse, behavioural disorder, and mental health counsellors

If you’re passionate about mental health and want to help others, consider a career as a counsellor. You’ll assess, diagnose and treat conditions that relate to addiction, negative behaviours, and mental health.

Substance abuse and behavioural disorder counsellors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree with concentrations in addiction studies, mental health, or psychology, whereas mental health counsellors typically need a master’s degree.

Noble work aside, a job in this field will earn you an annual salary of US$59,357. Consider pursuing a degree at one of these universities if you wish to go into the field: