The weirdest university courses in the UK represent the ultimate fusion of academic rigour and deep industry specialisation. They exist to fill critically scarce, highly specialised roles within the world’s leading industrial chains. This blog introduces 10 odd university courses, and provides critical advice to help you find the right major.
10 Weirdest University Courses in the UK
Though the unusual university degrees in the UK sound ridiculous, they are designed to address the critical skills shortages in some particular industries. Here are the top 10 strange university courses in the UK.
1. Horology
Rather than a watchmaking apprenticeship, Horology is a course about blending artistry, history, and high-precision engineering. First-year students typically commence with foundational hand tool fabrication, learning to file, drill, and turn intricate metal components. Beyond hands-on assembly, the course requires students to employ CAD (computer-aided design) software for contemporary timepiece design whilst studying the aesthetics of timekeeping across historical eras.
- University: Birmingham City University
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
- Career paths: Restorer for luxury watch brands (e.g., Rolex, Patek Philippe), antique timepiece appraiser, precision mechanical engineer.
2. Surf Science and Technology
Surf Science and Technology is actually a comprehensive marine science course disguised as surfing. Students must study marine geography, explore materials science, and learn human exercise physiology. The business module is also an important part of Surf Science and Technology. It covers surf brand marketing, eco-tourism planning, and the logistics and legal frameworks for hosting world-class events.
- University: University of Plymouth; Cornwall College
- Degree: BSc (Hons)
- Career Paths: Surfing instructor, surf brand product manager, marine environmental consultant, and event operations manager.
3. Brewing and Distilling
Brewing and Distilling, one of the weirdest university courses in the UK, aims to train scientists for the beverage industry. This curriculum delves deeply into biochemistry, microbiology, and chemical engineering. Students will study every biochemical stage of grain fermentation and undertake practical work in the university’s microbrewery, researching how to brew beer or whisky with perfect proportions.
- University: Heriot-Watt University
- Degree: BSc (Hons) / MSc
- Career paths: Master brewer, beverage quality control inspector, distillery operations manager, beverage industry research and development specialist.
4. Viking and Old Norse Studies
Viking and Old Norse Studies may be an odd course for most students. But it is the dream course for fans of The Saga of the Vikings or The Lord of the Rings. Its subjects include Old Icelandic language studies, medieval Scandinavian history, Viking overseas expansion, and research into related manuscripts and artefacts. Third-year students typically undertake an exchange at a university in a Scandinavian country.
- University: University College London
- Degree: BA (Hons)
- Career Paths: Museum curatorship, historical research, diplomatic service, historical consultant for film and television.
5. Puppetry Design and Performance
Puppetry Design and Performance is one branch of the performing arts. Students majoring in this course will not only learn puppet manipulation techniques but also delve into mechanical design, material application, vocal training, and theatrical direction. It fuses traditional craftsmanship with contemporary stage technology.
- University: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Degree: BA (Hons)
- Career Paths: Film special effects production, theatre actor, television programme prop master, arts educator.
6. Parapsychology
This may be the academic discipline closest to the “Ghostbusters”. Parapsychology is not superstition, but rather a branch of psychology. It employs scientific methods to investigate phenomena currently beyond human explanation, such as precognition, psychokinesis, near-death experiences, and psychological beliefs in the supernatural.
- University: University of Edinburgh
- Degree: PhD
- Career paths: University lecturer, psychology researcher, science writer, psychological counsellor.
7. Baking Technology Management
Baking Technology Management emphasises “technology” and “management”. This course includes cereal science, fermentation chemistry, large-scale food production line design, and food safety regulations. It aims to cultivate senior managers for the food industry.
- University: London South Bank University
- Degree: BSc (Hons)
- Career Paths: Manager at large-scale bakery chains, Director of Food Research and Development, Production Cost Controller, Bakery Entrepreneur.
8. Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre
If you fancy swapping the office for the circus, studying Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre can not only make you learn skills, but also earn a degree. Students practise aerial acrobatics, tightrope walking, and balancing acts while studying theatre performance theory, movement choreography, and cross-media performance arts. The unusual university course in the UK places strong emphasis on integrating physical prowess with artistic expression.
- University: Bath Spa University
- Degree: BA (Hons) Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
- Career Paths: Professional circus performer, stunt artist, movement director, outdoor arts festival organiser.
9. Ethical Hacking
Ethical Hacking encompasses cyber defence, digital forensics, programming, cryptography, alongside pertinent legal and ethical considerations. In the realm of computing, this is akin to fighting fire with fire. Students learn to identify system vulnerabilities like genuine hackers, though their objective is to remedy them.
- University: Abertay University
- Degree: BSc (Hons)
- Career Paths: Cybersecurity Consultant, Government Intelligence Analyst, Penetration Testing Engineer, Information Security Officer.
10. Applied Golf Management
Applied Golf Management has been developed by the university and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA). It not only teaches you how to play the game but focuses on the operational aspects of the golf industry. Applied Golf Management includes sports science, financial accounting, turf science, and retail management. Students typically gain professional certification from the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association), making them highly competitive within golf resorts and private clubs worldwide.
- University: University of Birmingham
- Degree: BSc (Hons)
- Career paths: Golf club general manager, professional golfer, tournament promoter, manager at a golf equipment company.
Should I take Weirdest University Courses in the UK?
Before you make decision, it’s important for you to know the advantages and disadvantages of learning the weirdest university courses in the UK. Opting for such niche disciplines is a high-risk, high-reward gamble, hinging entirely on your grasp of career paths. If you are seeking career certainty and possess strong intrinsic motivation in specific fields, these weird university courses in the UK can equip you with irreplaceable, scarce skills upon graduation.
Pros:
The weirdest university courses in the UK are often vertical specialisation of related majors, and have formidable industry barriers. Compared to students majoring in popular courses like finance, management, and computer science, those specialising in watchmaking, brewing science, or ethical hacking have fewer competitors.
Cons:
Choosing these strange university courses means you have to accept narrower career paths and lower tolerance for error. Those who study traditional programmes have more career paths and it’s easy for them to change jobs. Graduates of weirdest university majors in the UK like Viking Studies or Circus Arts face significantly diminished academic premium when switching sectors. Such disciplines often highly depend on the prosperity of specific industries and have high demand to personal competence.
Where to live for Students Majoring Weird University Courses?
Once you decide to study the weirdest university courses, choosing the right student accommodation in the UK becomes your first important thing. Different from popular courses, these programmes feature high experimental density, strong reliance on equipment, and irregular schedules. Therefore, you are advised to choose your room based on the characteristics of your programme.
1. Amenities
Your major may have special requirements for the room amenities. If you are in an Ethical Hacking programme, your UK student accommodation must be equipped with high-speed WiFi and superfast broadband.
2. Location
The teaching facilities for these rather unusual university courses are often not located on the main campus, but rather in remote laboratories, coastal areas, or industrial estates. Choosing student accommodation near your laboratories facilitates your commute.
3. Roommates
For students in niche disciplines, compatibility with flatmates matters more than rent. If your flatmate is a disciplined accounting student, but your course involves late-night coding, conflicts are highly likely. For your convenience, you can live in private studios without being interrupted by others. If you want to seek flatmates with similar “creative” or “STEM” backgrounds, come to uhomes.com. The professional advisors are available 24/7 to provide free services.
Conclusion
Studying the weirdest university courses in the UK represents you choose a different path. Such a choice demands that students possess a clear career vision before enrolment. From the esoteric study of Norse sagas to cutting-edge ethical hacking defence, these disciplines condense academic breadth into industrial depth. If you arrange your lifestyle to accommodate the specialism’s demanding practical requirements, these seemingly strange university courses will ultimately transform into your most distinctive competitive edge upon finding jobs.
FAQ
What are the weirdest university degrees in the UK?
The weirdest university degrees in the UK include Horology, Surf Science and Technology, Brewing and Distilling, Viking and Old Norse Studies, Puppetry Design and Performance, Parapsychology, Baking Technology Management, Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre, Ethical Hacking, and Applied Golf Management.
Which UK universities offer unusual courses?
Below are the UK universities that offer unusual courses:
- University of Nottingham: Brewing Science and Technology
- Plumpton College: Viticulture and Oenology
- Abertay University: Ethical Hacking
- University of Birmingham: Horology
- London South Bank University: Baking Technology Management
- Bath Spa University: Contemporary Circus and Physical Performance
Why are strange university courses so popular?
The rise in popularity of strange university courses stems from 2 key factors:
- They equip students with more specialised skills, enhancing their competitiveness in future employment.
- The industries these courses serve feature high entry barriers, demanding greater qualifications from prospective candidates.
