Shanaiya Azavedo, Student Accommodation Expert and Marketing Manager at Best Student Halls, explores unusual degrees you didn’t know existed and why there is an increase in demand to study new/unusual courses.
Unusual Degrees You Can Apply to
“Once you step past AI, the degree list gets far more unexpected,” Shanaiya says. “Universities are offering courses centred on things people rarely associate with lecture halls. Students can study everything from wine production and surfing technology to luxury watchmaking and even the cultural impact of pop stars. Universities are proving that almost anything, when studied properly, can become a legitimate academic pathway.”
- Taylor Swift and her World: If pop music, culture, and storytelling fascinate you, this degree uses a global superstar as an academic lens.
“This course surprises people until they look closer,” says Shanaiya. “At universities such as the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University, Taylor Swift’s music and public persona are used to explore literature, feminism, fandom, and modern pop culture. Students analyse lyrics, storytelling, audience behaviour, and cultural impact. It shows how one artist can shape conversations around identity, power, and media. What feels playful on the surface develops strong skills in critical analysis, cultural theory, and communication.”
- Surf Science and Technology: If surfing is more than a lifestyle and you’re curious about the science behind performance and waves, this degree blends passion with academia.
“Surf Science and Technology takes surfing far beyond the beach,” says Shanaiya.
“Degrees offered at universities such as the University of Plymouth and Cornwall College combine sport science, oceanography, design, and performance. Students study wave mechanics, board design, physical conditioning, and surf culture, with time in the water built into the course. It prepares graduates for roles in sports science, product development, coaching, and surf industry innovation, blending passion with applied science.”
- Viticulture and Oenology: If you’re a fan of wine, you may consider a degree focused solely on the beverage.
“Viticulture and Oenology turn wine into a science as well as a business,” Shanaiya explains.
“At institutions like Plumpton College and the University of Greenwich, students study grape growing, fermentation, tasting, quality control, and sustainability. Climate, soil, and production methods sit alongside commercial decision-making. It prepares graduates for careers in vineyards, wineries, consultancy, and the global beverage industries. What sounds indulgent is actually a highly technical degree tied to agriculture, chemistry, and international trade.”
- Horology: If you’re drawn to precision, craftsmanship, and how complex systems work at a microscopic level, horology offers an unexpected academic route.
“Horology is the study of timekeeping, and it is as precise as it sounds,” Shanaiya says.
“Courses linked to specialist institutions such as Birmingham City University, in partnership with the British School of Watchmaking, teach the mechanics behind clocks and watches. Students learn design, restoration, micro-engineering, and materials science. The degree blends physics, craftsmanship, and history, leading to careers in luxury watchmaking, conservation, and specialist engineering. It proves niche skills still hold serious value.”
- Esports and Competitive Gaming Management: If you’ve grown up watching competitive gaming or following esports teams online, this degree turns that interest into a structured career path.
“This degree treats gaming as a global industry rather than a side hobby,” says Shanaiya.
“Courses offered by universities such as the University of Staffordshire and the University of Chichester focus on event management, sponsorship, broadcasting, and team operations. Students learn how esports tournaments are run, how teams are marketed, and how revenue flows through digital entertainment. Graduates leave with skills used across sports management, media production, and competitive gaming organisations, which shows how seriously this sector is now taken.”
- Music Production and Sound Design for Games: If you’ve ever noticed how music and sound make games feel immersive, this degree focuses on that hidden craft.
“This degree focuses on how sound shapes interactive worlds,” Shanaiya explains.
“At universities like Bournemouth University and Leeds Beckett University, students learn adaptive audio, interactive sound systems, and collaboration with game developers. The course connects music, technology, and storytelling. Graduates move into gaming, film, and digital media roles where sound design plays a critical role in immersion and user experience.”
Why Universities Are Creating These Degrees
“The job market has changed faster than traditional degree structures,” Shanaiya explains. “Many careers students will enter did not exist a decade ago, or have evolved beyond recognition. Universities now face pressure to prepare students for roles shaped by technology, culture, and global shifts rather than fixed professions.”
She continues, “There is also a strong move toward passion-driven study. Students no longer choose degrees based only on prestige. They look for relevance, personal interest, and employability combined. Universities respond by creating courses linked to emerging industries, specialist skills, and cultural trends. These degrees reflect how people work now, not how they worked in the past.”
What This Means for the Future of Education
“This signals a clear move away from rigid academic pathways,” says Shanaiya. “The future of education values adaptability over tradition. Degrees are tools for learning how to think, problem-solve, and evolve rather than fixed routes into a single career.”
She concludes, “Students entering university today need flexibility. They will likely change roles, industries, or even entire career directions multiple times. Education now reflects that reality. Unusual degrees are not gimmicks. They show universities aligning more closely with the real world, where innovation, relevance, and transferable skills matter far more than sticking to conventional labels.”
Feature Image by George Pak from Pexels
