There’s A Degree For That? Seven Uni Courses That Are More Interesting Than Yours

We’ve teamed up with the thought leaders at ANU to take a look at some of the most random degrees around the world.

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Learning new things can be pretty great, but that’s easy to forget as you struggle to hand in assignments, juggle work and study, and worry about the kind of career you’re heading for. If enrolling in law, arts, science, engineering or another traditional uni course doesn’t exactly inspire you, you may be interested in some of the unusual specialist undergraduate courses on offer. At the very least, they’d be great for small talk at parties.

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Viking Studies

Where: Nottingham University

I’m really into the TV series Vikings, and so have been reading a lot about what’s variously called the Dark Ages or the Early Medieval period. Let me tell you: a Bachelor’s degrees in Viking Studies would be incredible. It’s an exciting field that cross-pollinates literature, history, archaeology and language studies.

Speaking about the course at Nottingham, student Daniela Hackett told The Guardian, “One day I might be translating an Anglo-Saxon poem for the Old English, the next I might be writing an essay about the development of towns in medieval Britain or analysing animal remains from archaeological sites.”

Bonus: there are also opportunities to study in Scandinavia, the heartland of Viking culture.

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Packaging

Where: Michigan State University

In our interconnected world, things regularly travel long distances… and someone has to be there to bundle them up safely, efficiently and sustainably. Over more than 100 hours of practical laboratory experience, this Bachelor of Science course teaches the technical principles and processes of packaging, the glass, plastic, paper and metals you can use, and how to develop relevant software systems and apps.

Electives include food packaging, medical packaging, performance testing and environmental issues. You’ll also study business subjects to understand the economic and legal side of packaging, so you can move into industries from advertising to supply chain management.

At the very least, you’ll move house like a total boss.

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Floral Management

Where: Mississippi State University

Anyone can bung some flowers in a vase, but floriculture is a complex field that combines design, agricultural science, business, and even the historical and psychological aspects of flowers. This specialist Bachelor of Science in Horticulture can be taken as a three or four-year degree.

Budding floristry entrepreneurs and garden designers can major in floral management for retail, special events and permanent botanical installations. Meanwhile, the ornamental horticulture major emphasises the science and business of growing and marketing flowers and ornamental plants.

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International Security Studies

Where: Australian National University

Ever wanted to be a spy? Or do you dream of travelling the world as an investigator, analyst or contractor, working on vital strategic issues for the Australian government, the UN or elite international organisations? This new specialist degree is a hybrid of politics, Asian studies and languages, and can be combined with most traditional degrees including law, engineering and commerce.

Learn about threats to regional and world security, from war, terrorism and cybercrime to environmental disasters and food security. You’ll also learn foreign languages, study overseas for up to six months, and test your skills in hands-on “war games”.

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Horology 

Where: Birmingham City University

Horology is the study of measuring time, and this unique course trains the next generation of watchmakers. Birmingham is Britain’s jewellery-making capital and this school — founded in 1890 — is one of Europe’s most highly regarded.

If you like the idea of crafting beautiful timepieces, the course has strong links with companies including Rolex, Cartier and Time In Hand. But if you prefer to repair and restore clockwork mechanisms, there are opportunities to work with museums and conservation organisations. Creative and entrepreneurial types will appreciate the final project: to produce an original ‘masterpiece’. It’s basically heaven for steampunk enthusiasts.

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Themed Entertainment Design

Where: Savannah College of Art and Design

Imagine having creative ideas so big that people can walk around inside them. With this Master of Fine Arts degree, you can make them real. SCAD is the only university in the world that teaches this practical combination of design, storytelling and creative producing.

Collaborating with people from varied creative backgrounds, you’ll hone your skills in concept development, visualisation and modelling, study the project life cycle and go behind the scenes at working venues, before creating your own final thesis project. Graduates go on to make immersive environments around the world — from zoos and museum exhibits to stage spectaculars, resorts and theme parks.

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Applied Golf Management Studies

Where: The University of Birmingham

A little birdie tells me that if you’re passionate about golf, this unique three-year degree will help make it your career. Offered in partnership with the Professional Golfing Association (PGA), it combines aspects of sports science, coaching theory, business management and materials science. And with annual PGA work placements, you’re working in the industry even before you graduate.

Learn the biomechanics of golfing technique, innovation in club construction, and psychology in playing and coaching, along with HR and events management skills, you can play for Birmingham in intervarsity tournaments, and can hone your coaching and networking skills through the university’s volunteer program.

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Have a university experience like no other. Access a broad range of scholarships to get you started and receive learning and personal support to stay on track. Choose from Australia’s most unique degree offerings and lay the foundations for your dream career. Pick from an array of global study opportunities and see that there’s no limit to where ANU could take you. Experience our community for yourself. 

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Mel Campbell is a freelance journalist and cultural critic. She blogs on style, history and culture at Footpath Zeitgeist and tweets at@incrediblemelk.