Why University Might Be a Waste of Time (Unless You're Studying Medicine)

July 27, 2025

For decades, university was the obvious answer to the question: “How do I build a successful career?” But in 2025, that answer is outdated—and for many, flat-out wrong.

The Original University Pitch (and Why It’s Breaking Down)

University used to promise three things:

1. Knowledge you couldn’t get anywhere else
2. A degree that opened doors
3. A job waiting on the other side

But today? Let’s be honest:

• You can learn almost anything online for free or cheap
• Employers care more about skills, portfolios, and experience
• AI is automating entire professions faster than unis can update syllabi

The AI Factor: Degrees Are Getting Obsolete, Fast

Jobs that required university-level training are now under threat from automation.

AI can now do:

• Copywriting, customer service, coding, legal analysis
• Accounting, research summaries, basic design work
• Data entry, scheduling, medical transcription

You don’t need a degree to compete—you need adaptability, digital fluency, and problem-solving.

You’ll graduate into a world that doesn’t need what your degree taught you.

The Cost: Is a £40K–£60K Debt Worth It?

Let’s break this down:

• UK undergrad tuition: ~£9,250/year
• Add living expenses, housing, travel = ~£15K/year
• Multiply by 3–4 years = £45K–£60K debt
• Repayment kicks in when you earn ~£25K+

Now ask: Will your degree give you a job that even covers that?
If the answer’s “maybe”—that’s not good enough.

So... When Is University Still Worth It?

Not every degree is worthless. Some fields still require it—for good reason.

✅ Go to uni if you’re pursuing:

• Medicine / Dentistry / Nursing
• Engineering (especially civil, mechanical, aerospace)
• Law (but with AI looming, think twice)
• Architecture (still needs formal licensing + design skills)
• Hard sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)
• Education (for qualified teaching)

These roles require hands-on experience, regulation, and human judgment AI can’t replicate (yet).

If You're Not in Those Fields, Consider This Instead:

Skip the debt. Learn faster. Start building immediately.

Here’s what to do instead of uni:

1. Pick a domain:
   Design, marketing, software dev, finance, business ops—whatever clicks.

2. Master tools & skills:
   Use platforms like YouTube, Udemy, Coursera, Notion, Figma, VS Code, Webflow, Canva, Excel, etc.

3. Build a portfolio:

   • Start a blog
   • Ship small projects
   • Contribute to GitHub or open-source
   • Freelance or intern

4. Get real experience:

   • Join startups
   • Do contract gigs
   • Cold email companies with real value offers

5. Network online:
   LinkedIn > your university's career center
   Twitter, Discords, Reddit, HackerNews—these are where modern careers start

Degrees Don’t Guarantee Jobs. Proof Does.

Employers in 2025 aren’t asking “What did you study?”

They’re asking:

• What have you built?
• What tools do you know?
• How do you learn fast?
• Can you think, adapt, and work independently?

That’s what makes you unstoppable—not a printed certificate from 2022.

Real Talk: The Middle Class is Rewriting Itself

In the 90s and 2000s, a degree = a job = stability.
Now? AI does the work of juniors. Employers want specialists, not generalists with paper credentials.

If you want a future-proof career, you need to be:

• Adaptable
• Digitally native
• Willing to build your own playbook

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sleepwalk Into Uni

University is a tool—not a life path. For most people, it’s the default because no one challenged it.

But if you’re young and hungry, here’s what I’d tell you:

• Think long-term: where will this skill take you in 10 years?
• Ask hard questions: what will AI not automate soon?
• Be practical: don’t pay £60K for something YouTube teaches in a playlist

You don’t need permission to start your career. You need courage, Wi-Fi, and time.

Need help figuring out your next move? Drop me a message—I’ll always back someone building over someone borrowing.