Emerging subjects you can study at university

As the world changes, universities are always at the forefront. In addition to developing game-changing research and thinking, they are quick to offer brand new courses that match what students want, and the planet needs. Whether this is a degree in the latest tech innovations, or one in pioneering medical techniques, you can be sure that they won't stand still. Keen to make sure your classes are cutting-edge? Read on for our list of emerging subjects you can study at university.

AI

Few subjects are emerging as strongly right now as artificial intelligence. Whether you view it as a friend or foe, AI is transforming the world – and we can't be sure where it will go next. That makes it a very good idea to get ahead of the trend by studying the subject.

Artificial intelligence courses are run at universities around the world. Often, these are combined with computer science, and focused on the skills you will need to develop the underlying systems of everything from ChatGPT to self-driving cars.

Alternatively, you could bring these to life with an engineering-centred robotics degree. If simply thinking about the subject is more appealing, you could even study for a master's in AI ethics, as offered by the University of Birmingham.

Want to know where these courses could take you? Discover jobs you can do with an AI degree.

Sustainability

Awareness of environmental issues is always increasing, with action to address them becoming a greater priority around the world. Sustainability encompasses this, as well as the improvement of living standards for people everywhere. As a field, it is summed up well by the scope of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.

Given how broad these are, you have a lot of options if you would like to make this your study subject. Many of these are within STEM – think renewable energy, environmental engineering or sustainable agriculture – but there is also plenty of choice for humanities students. You could make a big difference to the planet by becoming an expert in environmental law, urban planning or international development.

Keen to go green? Read our guide to degrees that focus on sustainable energy.

Precision medicine

Healthcare techniques and technologies are always evolving, with remarkable results. This is exemplified by the field of precision medicine, which involves designing treatments that are optimised for individual patients, as opposed to ones that are intended for general use. With this approach, the outcomes of illnesses such as cancer are being transformed.

The subject is commonly studied at master's level, allowing graduates of fields such as pharmacology and biology to specialise in a cutting-edge discipline. Courses are often combined with closely related topics such as genomics and diagnostics, reflecting the application of precision medicine as a tool to identify as well as treat health conditions. As more research goes into this, it will only become more powerful – and you could be part of it.

Want to know what it's like to study this subject? Learn from the experience of a precision medicine student.

Financial technology

Also known as fintech, this field is increasingly prominent in a world where digital currency and payment is commonplace. Money has moved a long way from being just something we can hold in our hands. As the world of finance continues to develop and adapt to technological changes, a degree in this area holds great value.

You can study financial technology as part of a general finance degree, or as an individual specialism. This is particularly common at postgraduate level, where students with a background in computer science, business and maths come together to learn about where the area is going.

If one thing is for certain, it is that it could take them a long way. Many of the world's top banks run graduate schemes for fintech specialists, and knowledge of the field is in great demand everywhere.

Do you have an idea for a foolproof fintech startup? Fire up your thinking with our list of top degrees for entrepreneurs.

Esports

Competitive gaming isn't just fun – it's also big business. That is one reason why a growing number of universities offer courses in esports. New experts are always needed in this quickly growing industry, providing it with the knowledge and ability needed to keep it thriving.

So, if you thought an esports degree would just involve sitting around and playing games all day, you would be wrong. While improving your competitive ability is a part of some courses in the subject, most of them focus on its application in real-world settings. That means business management, event production and even livestreaming – things that could prove useful both inside and outside of the esports arena.

Excited by the thought of studying this subject? Explore these UK universities with esports degrees.

Cybersecurity

With so much of the world relying on the proper functioning of digital systems, cybersecurity is becoming ever more important. High-profile hacks of individuals, businesses and governments are regularly reported, and we therefore need experts in this field to keep all of us safe.

Studying cybersecurity is a pathway to fulfilling that role. You can learn a lot about the topic on an IT or computer science course, but for a complete education in it, you may be interested in a full cybersecurity degree.

With this, you can get to grips with everything from database management and security architecture to digital forensics and cryptography. After graduating, you can expect great career prospects. Information security analyst is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the world.

Wondering if this could be the subject for you? Explore our reasons to study cybersecurity.

Interdisciplinary studies

Still not sure what you want to study? You don't have to restrict yourself to just one subject. An increasing number of universities offer courses in interdisciplinary studies, which by definition enable you to explore the relationship between multiple disciplines. Many see this broad and collaborative approach as key to solving the world's most pressing problems.

In the UK, there is even a university dedicated to interdisciplinary studies: the London Interdisciplinary School. The institution offers an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in the field. Both of these adopt a problem-based learning approach, taking in perspectives from across the arts, humanities and science. Climate change, inequality and the ethics of AI are just some of the issues you can explore, developing an open mind and adaptability that employers desire.

Still looking for more options? These are not the only emerging subjects you can study at university. Check out our guides to project management, public health and data science. Alternatively, you could think even further outside of the box with our list of unusual degree subjects.