What the fuck’s that degree?

In her second column that’ll get you gawping, Jessica Crisp looks into some of the more unusual ways you could spend your three years at uni.


For anyone who’s ever had someone pull a face at their degree, I can reassure you that there are some much stranger ones by far you could be doing. . .

 

Surfing Science and Technology (BSc) Hons

Plymouth

Education for all?

Ok, whoever thought of this one is a genius. And where better to study this little gem than in Plymouth? (Other than Australia’s Gold Coast, of course). Admittedly, the lectures on wave dynamics might be a tad dry and you’re not always out carving a gnarly barrel, but who really cares? Having a surfing degree on your CV makes you pretty damn cool. I wouldn’t be too surprised if students daydream their way through lectures, imagining some pretty awesome field trips to beaches that look like they’ve been lifted right out of Home and Away.

Wax those boards, surf’s up!

 

Feel the Force: How to train in the Jedi Way

Queen’s University Belfast

There’s little doubt this one is for those George Lucas fans out there. It looks at issues behind the Star Wars universe, such as balance destiny, dualism, fatherhood and fascism. So yes, it does go beyond just teaching you the awesome psychological techniques behind Jedi mind-tricks – you never know when they might come in handy! On the plus side, no prior qualifications are required, may want to watch out for those worryingly obsessed super-fans. Unfortunately, light sabres are not provided. Shame really, those plastic ones out of the supermarket just don’t quite measure up.

May the force be with you, folks.

 

Theatre Practice: Puppetry BA (Hons)

Central School of Speech and Drama

For all those puppet lovers out there, University of London’s Central School of Speech and Drama offers the opportunity to study these critters for three whole years. That’s a whole lot of puppetry! Students learn how to design, make and manipulate puppets and get to perform at one major international puppet festival. In a day and age where I thought Punch and Judy were long gone, it seems some people just can’t get enough. Graduates have gone on to work with Cirque du Soleil, at Thorpe Park and on the theatre production of War Horse. Seems a puppetry degree can really take you places.

Who knew?

 

Viking Studies BA

Nottingham University

Indulge that inner Norseman and plunder your way through a degree in Viking Studies. Cue images of horned helmets charging into angry live action role play, followed by vast amounts of mead consumption. Learn about the outlaws and ghosts of Iceland, the heroes and myths of the north and ‘burning desires.’ There’s even the chance to dabble in a bit of underwater archaeology. Semesters abroad can be taken in Norway or Denmark, home to these icy warriors and various (odd) events celebrating their history.

At least Freshers’ week would be a riot.

 

Brewing and Distilling

Heriot-Watt University

Students and alcohol go hand in hand, everyone knows it. So what could be better than spending your degree years learning about beer all day, every day? It seems numerous students have found their calling and taken their love of alcohol one step further and made their career. Even though you need an interest in science as opposed to just drinking experience, just imagine brewing a barrel while your housemates hammer out a 3,000 word essay. For those more partial to a glass of the old vino, there’s even a Wine Studies course at the University of Brighton. Whatever your taste, you’re catered for.

Bottoms up!