University admissions decline for the third consecutive year as rising costs leave young people searching for alternatives*. While students may worry about career prospects without a traditional degree, new research* suggests a more positive outlook for future leaders:
- 47.4% of managers, directors and senior officials in the UK do not have a degree, equivalent or higher qualification which demonstrates the opportunity to succeed through non-traditional routes.
- Over half (53.6%) of current job listings that specify educational requirements do not mandate any type of degree, highlighting more flexible career entry points.
To uncover these insights, a sample of over 34,000 job listings** were compared and compared the results with government data on the population’s education levels. The research comes in the wake of a 3.1% tuition fee increase set to take effect this August, further impacting the affordability of education and the number of new people entering the workforce without attending university.
A shift in educational pathways and hiring trends
The findings suggest that young professionals are more likely to come from diverse educational backgrounds as alternative paths are on the rise. While university admissions decline, nearly one million more British students are enrolled in further education courses compared to those in higher education (3.1 million versus 2.2 million), an increase of 122,750 from the previous academic year.
Those pursuing alternate education paths can be encouraged by the significant number of degree-free employees in managerial positions (47.4% according to Census data). Alternative options for studying business and leadership include NVQs, online training courses and apprenticeships; however, qualifications required for career progression can vary by role and industry.
Supporting this, a recent study found that over half of UK employers were moving toward skill-based hiring, prioritising abilities over educational background or past experience. The report highlights that communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and written communication skills are among the top qualities employers seek.
Similar research 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.
Asli Derya, Cambridge Advance Online’s learning propositions director notes, “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.”
The qualifications you need to ‘get hired’
The qualifications required for employment will vary depending on the role’s industry, seniority, and specific requirements. Stewart Utley, a learning designer at Cambridge Advance Online recommends:
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
The ‘best’ education route depends on the person
While there may be more opportunities available for those looking to start a career in leadership, this doesn’t diminish the value of a degree but highlights that there are alternative pathways to success. Enrollment in higher education business and management courses bucked the overarching trend, with admissions increasing by 12.4% for the academic year 2022/23 compared to the year prior. Cambridge Advance Online also reports increased popularity for its range of business essential courses indicating an increased interest in furthering these skills.
Stewart emphasises the importance of carefully considering the right educational option:, “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.”
A recent post-course survey, completed by previous Cambridge Advance Online learners, explored the impact that the course they completed 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.
“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 concludes.
*Cambridge Advance Online
**Indeed
