If you could go to university now, what would you study?

At 29 I went and did a 4 year degree in software development. Now 36 with almost 3.5 years working in the industry i have a very high salary with a very comfortable standard of living

I am terrible at maths and have lots of weaknesses that many would assume are critical to be a good software engineer. The industry needs a mix of engineers with all sorts of skills to have well functioning teams.

For people who already have a degree i think it is worth doing a higher diploma in computer science which I believe can be completed in a year. Only do this if you genuinely have an interest and willing to put the work in.

You will struggle otherwise but at least you can maybe take a shortcut.

Now? I’d probably do some “wishy-washy” Arts type degree. Something interesting but utterly useless like English Literature, Classical Studies, Film Studies or History.

Would be nice to take a “course”, like that, with very few hours and one you wouldn’t have to work too hard for. One that facilitates enjoying the more sociable side of the college “experience”.

psychology.

Ancient History/Classics

Classics. Especially classical history. I'm fascinated by ancient history, Rome's in particular. I've even starting learning Latin during the additional time working from home has given me.

I'm 55 and I never got round to getting a degree and I do regret it. Regarding subjects, I believe picking in something you like, not just because it might get you a good job. Of course, if you can do both, then fantastic. Unless looking to get into a particular area, I get the impression that the subject isn't necessarily all that important. Many job ads only specify a degree, not the subject. I've also noticed that the alumni who compete in the special Christmas seasons of University Challenge are often in good careers that seem unrelated or merely tangential to the degree they studied at university.

Cit. Drop out rate very high. I would say 25% of my year that started actually finished the 4 years.

All the mature students finished though and there was around 10 or so out of 100.

Music Production/Audio Engineering - I kick myself every day that I went down the IT rabbit hole without trying to do something I have a love for.

Would not bother with university , Pilot training . An industry that you need approx 80k or so to get going in and it must be paid , no college can sling out thousands of graduates.

I did electronic engineering and have never worked in that field. Would have liked to have done architecture.

I shoulda stuck with the Physics !!

I was in Applied Physics in DCU and transferred to computer science... Computer Science is a degree that goes out of date ... should have stuck with the Physics!

I'm a bit of a crank on the subject. Unknowingly studied myself into a demanding, yet low paying career but was happy just to have a job in Ireland during the last recession.

Back when I was about 27 (33 now) I'd started thinking of retraining in Accountancy, Data, Software, anything to get me into a decent paying profession, but every year, I came up with an excuse - travel, getting married etc. Now with toddler and another on the way, there's no way out for the next while anyway.

All I'll say is if you're thinking of retraining, just do it.

That was my CAO choice. Ancient History Archeology and Greek !!!

Needless to say I didn't get in

Electrician with a degree in engineering.

Younger years spent chasing the trade money and partying.

Last 25 years working in industry.

If i could wind back clock, not much different in terms of qualifications and younger years, but would have followed a route which would have enabled me to lecture in third level engineering.

Secure and mostly recession/worry-proof. 10 weeks off in Summer + all other term breaks. Hindsight.

Veterinary. I'd qualify to get into the shorter graduate entry course, but at 21k+ a year on just fees alone, not to mention the cost of living in Dublin, and no funding available as I'm not progressing... it's not gonna happen unless I win the lotto. I've absolutely no idea how other people do it.

Something handy that would lead to a PhD, purely for vanity. :)