For years, many young people have been told the same message: “Go to university if you want a good job.” But in 2025, things look different. Employers are increasingly shifting their focus away from degrees and toward skills, experience, and mindset.
If you’ve decided university isn’t for you – what do employers really care about? And how can you stand out?
📊 Skills first:
In the UK, more than two-thirds (≈ 67%) of employers say they value soft skills more than formal educational qualifications when hiring. People Management
Soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, resilience are consistently mentioned as essential. University Alliance+1
💼 Relevant experience & practical ability:
Many employers prefer candidates who have done internships, apprenticeships or have vocational experience versus just academic credentials. University Alliance+1
A 2025 report found that one in four employers plan to remove bachelor’s degree requirements for some roles by the end of 2025. HR Dive
📉 Trends in job ads & postings:
Between 2021 and 2024, UK job postings that omit a degree requirement increased by ~14.2%. gsdcouncil.org
LinkedIn data show this rising trend: more employers are removing or relaxing degree requirements, especially for entry level or mid-level roles. HR Dive+1
Trades & Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships remain strong. Employers in construction, engineering, plumbing, electrical work still see hands-on training as gold.
Tech & Digital: Bootcamps, self-taught coding, project portfolios, certifications are gaining weight. Employers in tech are more open to non-degree paths (especially for junior roles).
Creative / Media / Sales: Roles that emphasise output (portfolio, creativity, campaigns, performance) over credentials tend to reward initiative, creativity and results.
Here are practical steps:
Seek real experience – side projects, voluntary work, internships, apprenticeships.
Build a portfolio – even small projects can show you can deliver.
Continuous learning – online courses, certification, bootcamps. Keeping skills up-to-date is crucial.
Highlight soft skills – communication, problem solving, teamwork, adaptability, self-motivation.
Network & use mentorship – often it’s who you know; sometimes those connections help more than a degree.
❌ “You can’t do high-skilled work without university.” Not always true. Some sectors still require degrees (law, medicine, perhaps certain regulated professions), but many others do not.
❌ “All apprenticeships or non-degree paths are low-paid.” Some higher level apprenticeships or tech roles can match or come close to graduate salaries.
❌ “Employers don’t trust self-taught or portfolio work.” Actually, many hiring managers say experience and demonstrable ability can outweigh where you studied. The mindset is shifting.
Here are some up-to-date numbers to show how things are changing:
| Metric | Stat | Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Employers planning to remove degree requirement | ~ 25% of employers said they’ll eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for some roles by end of 2025. HR Dive | Shows growing willingness to drop formal qualifications in certain roles. |
| Jobs with no degree requirement (UK) | Increase of ~ 14.2% in job postings omitting degree requirement between 2021-2024. gsdcouncil.org | Employers are adjusting what they ask for in job adverts. |
| Employer‐valued criteria among graduates | 68% of employers say enthusiasm for the role is very important; 55% say transferrable skills (e.g. communication); 52% say the subject studied matters. University Alliance+1 | Even for those who do a degree, what they studied and soft skills matter more than grades or prestige. |
| Unemployment rates (2024) | Graduates: ~ 5.5%; Postgraduates: ~ 3.5%; Non-graduates: ~ 8.1%. Universities UK | Graduates still tend to have lower unemployment, but non-graduates remain employed too, and there are routes to good work. |
| Skills gaps among employers | In 2024, 12% of employers reported at least one staff member lacking full proficiency in required skills (a skills gap). Explore Education Statistics | Suggests opportunities: if you can build in-demand skills, you’re filling real needs. |
A degree is one path – but it’s not the only one. In 2025, what many employers really want is:
people who can prove they can do the work, not just people who can say they did a particular course;
ability to learn, adapt, and pick up new tools;
real experience (even small-scale) of solving problems;
soft skills like communication, teamwork, resilience.
If you’re not going to university, focus on those, build something you can show, keep learning, and network. There’s still a lot of demand for skilled, motivated people, whatever their qualifications.
Here are some questions many people will be asking!
Q1: Can I get a good job without a degree in the UK in 2025?
A: Yes. Many good roles, especially in tech, trades, sales, digital sectors, value skills, experience, and portfolios more than formal degrees. With the right experience and skills, you can secure roles that offer good pay and growth without having gone to university.
Q2: Which sectors are most open to non-degree applicants?
A:
Tech / Digital (coding, digital marketing, support roles)
Creative & Media (design, content, marketing)
Trades & Engineering (through apprenticeships)
Sales, Customer Service, Retail, Hospitality
Some entrepreneurial / freelance roles
Be aware: roles in medicine, law, some engineering specialisms still typically require degrees or regulated qualifications.
Q3: What are the top skills employers are looking for if you don’t have a degree?
A: Some of the most valued are:
Soft skills: communication, teamwork, resilience, adaptability
Problem-solving skills and ability to learn on the job
Vocational or hands-on experience (internships, volunteering, apprenticeships)
Digital / technical skills relevant to the industry
Enthusiasm, motivation, ability to show you can deliver
Q4: What about unemployment and financial security compared with graduates?
A: Graduates generally still enjoy lower unemployment rates: in 2024, unemployment for graduates was ~ 5.5%, postgraduates ~ 3.5%, while non-graduates faced ~ 8.1%. Universities UK That said, this doesn’t mean non-graduates can’t find well-paying work; it means you may need more effort in building experience, demonstrating skills, or choosing sectors where non-degree paths are accepted.
Q5: How do I make my job application stand out without having a degree?
A:
Highlight any project work, internships, apprenticeships, volunteering.
Create a portfolio of work (digital, creative, code, etc.).
Take relevant certifications or online courses.
Use your CV / cover letter to emphasise soft skills, problem solving, resilience.
Network / use referrals / reach out to employers directly; sometimes demonstrating passion and ability counts more than credentials.
