All the odd university courses you can study if A-level Results Day didn’t go your way

Hopefully you’ve got the grades you needed for uni, but if it’s not worked out for you, don’t worry. There is a wide range of truly bizarre courses that you can do instead, and frankly, you’ll probably have the time of your life. From stained glass to Star Wars, here is a list of 10 uni courses that I promise do really exist. Here’s all the odd university degrees you can actually go and study in the UK:

Horology – Birmingham City University

I’ll save you a quick Google search, horology is, according to Google “the art of making clocks and watches”. So basically, this course is three years spent learning about time. You’ll get a rather unique skillset out of it, but fair enough.

Stained glass conservation and heritage management – University of York

This two year course is another rather niche subject, and it sounds to me as if a lot of your time would be spent just looking at pretty pictures in glass. To be fair, I can think of far worse ways to spend two years.

Ethical hacking – University of Abertay

It seems rather strange to describe hacking as “ethical”, but that’s exactly what this course at the University of Abertay in Dundee will teach you to do. Simply put, it’s good hacking in order to stop bad hacking.

Contemporary circus and physical theatre – Bath Spa University

From what I can tell, this course isn’t training you to be an actual clown, as such, but not far off. Their website claims you can “develop your physical and performance skills to professional level in your chosen specialisation”. I’m not sure exactly what the options for the specialisations are, but I’m just picturing a uni hall full of tightrope walker and jugglers.

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Stand up comedy – University of Kent

60 per cent of this course is assessed by a “performance” so if you think you’re funny, this might just be the place for you. It sounds like a right laugh, tbh.

Surf science – Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

This course teaches you the science of surfing, I guess? If that’s your thing, then this course is ideal for you. It seems like you just spend two years surfing in Cornwall.

Brewing and distilling – Heriot-Watt University

This course in Edinburgh is definitely the way to go if you think of yourself as a drinks connoisseur, judging your pals for drinking squadka while you’re sipping on a beautifully brewed IPA.

Viticulture and oenology – Plumpton College

If you’re more of a wine person, this viticulture (the science of grapes) and oenology (the study of wine) course at Plumpton College in East Sussex sounds like just the thing for you. Sounds a bit like an excuse for drinking and claiming it as research, but I’m certainly not one to judge.

Viking and Old Norse studies – University College London

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about Vikings, this four year course will teach you probably more than you knew was even possible to know about Vikings. It also includes a year abroad at a uni in Denmark, Iceland, Norway or Sweden, depending on which language you’ve decided to learn. Not quite sure exactly what career this could lead to, but if you find it interesting, fair enough.

Piping degree – The Piping Centre

You can do a degree in bagpipes. It takes place at The Piping Centre in Glasgow. They require mandatory ear protection to be worn by students at all times, available from their ear plug vending machines. I’m not quite sure what else to say.

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