With rising university fees, evolving job markets, and an increasing number of alternatives to the traditional bachelor’s degree, more young people are exploring different pathways into their chosen careers.

In this article, we delve into the level of education across the UK, the expectations of employers, and the alternative routes to education that prospective students can consider:

• Education levels across England and Wales

• Changing the pathway to education

• What qualifications do I need to get hired?

• Recommendations for prospective students and job seekers

• Ready to start an alternate route to education?

Education levels across England and Wales

Would it surprise you to learn that nearly three in four people in England and Wales don’t have a degree? While still the most popular choice, our analysis of Census data(Opens in a new window) shows that 72.4% of the population does not possess a level four qualification such as a bachelor's or master's degree, and actually the types of qualifications held are pretty split.

Apprenticeships, which offer a practical route into the workforce, still seem to be relatively rare, and interestingly, men are nearly three times more likely than women to take this path.

A breakdown of the qualifications included at each level can be found in the references at the end of this article.

While a recognised degree remains a valuable asset, the job market is becoming more flexible. Our analysis of Indeed data found that 53.62% of job listings specifying educational requirements were not mandating any type of degree.

Illustrating this point, Census data also shows that nearly half (47.4%) of managers, directors and senior officials say that they do not hold a degree or similar qualification. While many young people may feel pressured(Opens in a new window) into a traditional route of learning, it is important to carefully consider which option is best for you to give yourself the best chance of success.

Stewart Utley, one of our learning designers, explains that as the term 'squiggly career' has become increasingly popular in recent years, so too should we apply this notion to our individual paths through education. “Our motivations for learning are intrinsically linked to our circumstances, needs and prior experiences and these in turn shape the way we engage with both formal and informal education.

“As we see more institutions offering 'micro-credentials' - shorter, highly-focused courses aimed at specific needs, we're embracing a new age of increasingly personalised learning where alternative routes to building a knowledge and skills base for dynamic professional contexts is becoming the norm, and rightly so”, Stewart shares.

Interestingly, one in ten people (10%) who say they have never worked hold a level four qualification – it is what you do with your education that matters most.

Regional variations in education and employment

Generally, we found that regional data largely mirrored that reported at a national level. There are some disparities, such as London with 37.6% of people holding a level four qualification or above. This is significantly higher than other areas of the UK and around 10% higher than the national average.

The region with some of the lowest education levels is the West Midlands as 17% of respondents here say that they have no qualifications. The region also has the second fewest level four qualification holders (23.7%), shortly behind the North East (23.5%).

The current employment rate in the West Midlands is 73.9%, slightly below England’s average of 75.4% and London’s rate of 75.9%, correlating with education levels.

Changing the pathway to education

While the pandemic caused disruption to students’ education across the country, the urgent shift to a remote solution has, in many ways, made education more accessible for future students through the form of online learning. A 2023 survey(Opens in a new window) found that 83% of UK students find online learning convenient and 71% say the technology has helped them progress in education. Aligned to this, our recent survey revealed 80% of participants favour watching video lectures as their preferred learning method for online courses.

Asli Derya, our Learning Propositions Director, highlights that online learning offers an ideal solution for many learners seeking flexibility and accessibility: “At Cambridge Advance Online, courses are meticulously designed to accommodate even the busiest schedules. Each module is thoughtfully curated and delivered through a state-of-the-art, 24/7 learning platform, providing unparalleled flexibility. Learners can engage with Cambridge academics and benefit from the university's renowned academic excellence while tailoring their studies to fit seamlessly into their personal and professional lives.”

Social learning, where participants learn from each other as much as from instructors, is also a key focus here at Cambridge Advance Online, with course participants sharing insights that benefit everyone. This principle informs every aspect of our courses, from the tools we choose to include in our learning platform to how we structure our learning activities.

Additionally, UK university applications are down for the third year in a row(Opens in a new window), leading a shift toward other education paths. This trend could escalate with a change to tuition fees, increasing by 3.1%(Opens in a new window) from August 2025 and reflecting the rising cost of education at a global scale. Those at private national universities in America have experienced a 41% increase in tuition fees(Opens in a new window) over the last 20 years while in-state tuition at public schools has grown by 45%.

Madeleine Thorn, our Senior Learning Designer adds, “Effective online learning requires engaging course materials, opportunities to apply knowledge to professional contexts, personalised feedback, and reflection on the learning journey.

“We aim to deliver precisely this through our range of short, professional-level courses featuring live sessions and led by experts in their fields. Learners are encouraged to actively participate each week, collaborate with tutors and peers to foster a dynamic learning environment, and complete assessments that demonstrate their achievements and practical understanding.”

A transition from “higher” to “further” education

Further education(Opens in a new window) (FE) includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education i.e., not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Office for National Statistics data shows that there were 3.1 million further education students in 2022/23, an increase of 122,750 from the previous academic year. The total number of students rose in every part of the UK, depicting a widespread spike in interest. During this period there were:

• 1.28 million further education students over the age of 30.

• 2.2 million further education students over the age of 18.

• 1.7 million female further education students and 1.3 million male.

In comparison, during the same time frame there were 2.2 million higher education students, nearly a third less than the number of those in FE. This number increases when including overseas students.

The table below illustrates the subjects declining the most in popularity at a higher education level, compared to the course areas continuing to grow:

The top growing subjects, business and management (+12.4%) and computing (+11.3%) reflect a wider trend. At Cambridge Advance Online, our business essentials courses and our data science and machine learning courses continue to grow in popularity.

Asli explains, “Courses within the business skills areas, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, are increasingly attracting learners – both those seeking to change careers and those aiming to specialise further within their current industries. Notable examples include our highly popular Compelling Communication Skills course, taught by Simon Hall, a former BBC presenter and academic at the University of Cambridge, as well as courses with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, such as Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) for AI Systems Design and Generative AI in Business.”

“To meet this growing demand, we continuously update their courses to ensure they remain relevant. We have recently updated the Leveraging Business Intelligence course, a six-week online programme led by Dr Russell Hunter from the University of Cambridge.”

Young people not in education, employment or training

Unfortunately, we are seeing a rising number of young people not undertaking any form of education, employment or training (NEET). The total percentage of 18-24 year olds who were NEET between July and September 2024 was 15.9%, an increase of 869 thousand compared to the previous year.

The number of young people not in education is now at its highest level since 2015.

Asli explains why it is important to encourage young people to continue education or training beyond secondary education, and even university: “In today’s rapidly changing labour market, advancing one’s education is vital for remaining competitive. Ongoing learning can greatly enhance long-term career prospects, but it is essential to choose high-quality, up-to-date education that reflects the realities of the market.

“At Cambridge Advance Online, our learners have consistently reported a positive impact on their career progression across a range of fields, demonstrating the value of premium, market-relevant education.”

Our recent post-course survey, completed by previous Cambridge Advance Online learners, explored the impact that the course they completed with us has had on their careers. The results revealed:

• 92% have applied their newly-acquired knowledge and skills to their current role.

• 59% have applied their newly acquired knowledge of skills to a new role or project.

• 92% feel more confident in their current role.

• 92% feel more confident to apply for a new role in their current field.

• 25% are considering a career move into a different field.

What qualifications do I need to get hired?

The qualifications required for employment will vary depending on the role's industry, seniority, and specific requirements. However, our analysis of a sample of over 34,000 Indeed job listings(Opens in a new window) revealed an interesting trend: 53.62% of job postings that specified educational requirements did not mandate any type of degree.

In fact, over half (52.1%) specified GCSE requirements while very few required post graduate qualifications:

Figures have been rounded down therefore totals may not equal 100%.

Stewart recommends:

1. Start with skills: Work on pinpointing the skills gap between where you currently are and where you want to be. Having a clear sense of what you actually need to bridge that gap is going to highlight which types of education offerings will best support you in your goal.

2. Learn from Others: LinkedIn is a goldmine for understanding career trajectories. Look up professionals in your desired roles—what degrees or certifications got them there? Reach out to them and find out more. This will help you identify potentially career-accelerating moves that might fall outside your own research

3. Identify what's valued: Of course, it's also important to get a sense of what employers actually value. Explore job listings to uncover the skills and qualifications employers are explicitly looking for.

4. Stay Flexible: In this shifting professional landscape, your dream role might look very different by the time you complete your course. Choose qualifications that equip you with adaptable, transferable skills that focus on application. Shorter courses can also help you adapt to fast-changing demands or requirements in your field.

Industry-specific findings

Exploring the educational requirements of Indeed job listings at an industry-level, we found:

Interestingly, 29.7% of those in professional, scientific and technical roles do not have a level four qualification or above, nor do 35.2% of those in information and communication jobs. We spoke to our Computer Interaction (HCI) for AI Systems Design course lead, Professor Per Ola Kristensson, to share his top tips for breaking into the sector of Human-Computer Interactions without a traditional degree: “The critical skills needed to excel in this field include crafting problem statements for effective human-AI collaboration, identifying and mitigating risk, and also bridging the gap between demands and AI capabilities.

“These skills are crucial for advancing in the field of HCI as they ensure reliable and user-friendly systems, and designing AI solutions that align with user needs by integrating technical capabilities with a deep understanding of user behaviour, which is essential for today’s competitive market.

“My HCI online shortcourse would be ideal for professionals involved in product design, development, and user experience across industries such as manufacturing, technology, financial services, healthcare, and consumer or commercial products, making it suitable for both career shifters and newcomers to the field.”

Skill-based hiring trends

The shift away from more traditional educational routes can be linked to a growing trend of skill-based hiring, a recruitment method that evaluates candidates based on their skillset rather than traditional qualifications.

• A recent study found(Opens in a new window) that over half of UK employers are planning to shift to a skill-based hiring process rather than focus on jobseekers’ education or past work experience. The report states, “communication, teamwork and critical thinking skills were found to be the top skills favoured by employers, as well as problem solving and written communication skills.”

• Similar research(Opens in a new window) discovered that nine in ten young employees claim that they are more likely to secure a ‘dream job’ through this type of process, something 94% of employers said is more accurate to on-the-job success than can be seen with the traditional CV.

Emily Tannert Patterson, another member of our learning design team, shares, “In the last decade employers have begun to move away from seeking more traditional certifications like degrees and towards recognising the value of life-long learning and skill acquisition, and using mechanisms like interview exercises and tests to ensure that new hires have these skills.

“Since the pace of change in the world has accelerated, a university degree is no longer sufficient to build skills that will last for a lifetime of employment. Hence the explosion of learning providers to fill the gap with everything from boot camps to online short courses, allowing workers to attain new skills to further their own careers and/or pivot into new ones.”

Examples of this include:

• Medical professionals looking to explore new specialties might take courses on immunology, neuroanatomy, oncology, or other specialties.

• Tech workers looking to further their careers might take courses on deep learning, principles of UX, or human–computer interaction.

• Anyone working at the individual contributor level who wants to move up the career ladder might seek learning on management, leadership, creative thinking, communication, and entrepreneurship.

Recommendations for prospective students and job seekers

Hayley Robson, one of our learning designers, concludes with some key insights for learners considering alterative educational paths:

• The job market is moving faster than ever, with new skills and technology constantly evolving. This means that it’s important to continuously update your skills – whether you’re early-career or looking to upskill or re-skill later in your career.

• Online courses and certifications can offer you a flexible way to upskill or re-skill while continuing to gain on-the-job experience, without committing to a full degree. Further, many flexible learning solutions give you the opportunity to practice your new skills in the real-world, which allows you to demonstrate your expertise to employers.

• An aptitude for life-long learning, taking the initiative to learn and adapt, is an attractive professional quality that employers value. An online course or certification could be the step that lands you your next role.

• Skills such as digital literacy and data analysis, particularly in areas including implementing AI for business use or leveraging big data, are increasingly in demand. Professional skills including intercultural communication and problem solving are just as essential in today’s job market. The good news is that you don’t need a traditional degree to develop these skills; practicing them in your current role alongside online learning or self-directed study can be equally effective.

• In today’s world, skills can be gained in flexible and interconnected ways; you can draw insights from multiple fields to create a varied skillset. For example, networking with fellow learners, who may work in different sectors or roles, throughout an online course will allow you to see different perspectives. This, in turn, makes you more versatile and able to solve problems creatively, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Ready to start an alternate route to education?

Our research shows that the job market is shifting with employers increasingly valuing skills and experience over traditional education paths. As alternative qualifications, online learning, and further education gain traction, it is positive to see that prospective students have more flexible pathways to success.

At Cambridge Advance Online, we offer a range of courses to help you develop the skills needed for today’s evolving workforce. Explore your options and take the next step in advancing your career with our tips for lifelong learning or check out our extensive range of online courses, including:

• Compelling Communication Skills

• Generative AI in Business

• Climate Change for Decision-Makers: Challenges, Transformations, Strategies

• ESG Risk Management

References

Job data was collected from Indeed in January 2025, selected due to its status as the world’s most visited job site (Comscore, Total Visits, March 2024).

All other data on education and employment has been sourced from the Office for National Statistics: Census data(Opens in a new window), Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: November 2024(Opens in a new window) and Education and training statistics for the UK(Opens in a new window).

Additional sources are linked where cited.