You want a new career, and it seems to need a qualification you do not have. Quitting to study full time feels like a clean break. It is also one of the most expensive ways to change careers, so it is worth checking whether you need to.
First: do you really need the qualification?
Some careers legally require one, such as nursing, teaching, law, accountancy and many trades. Many others do not. Employers in tech, marketing, project management, sales and admin often care more about skills, a portfolio and experience. Check before you enrol:
- Read 15–20 entry-level job ads for the role. Count how many ask for the degree as essential, not just preferred.
- Talk to two people doing the job now. Ask how they got in.
- Look for routes that skip the degree: apprenticeships, short certificates, bootcamps or moving across inside your current employer. See Do I Need a Degree to Change Careers?
Quit to study or study while working?
| Study while working if… | Quitting to study may make sense if… |
|---|---|
| Part-time or online versions exist | The course is only offered full time |
| You need your income | You have savings, funding or support for the full course |
| You are still testing the new career | You are sure, and have spoken to people in the field |
| Your employer might pay for it | The course includes placements that need full-time hours |
Work out the real cost
Add up three things, not one:
- Fees and materials for the full course.
- Lost income: your take-home pay multiplied by the months you will not be working.
- Time to get back to your current pay in the new field. Entry-level salaries can be lower at first.
Then check what can reduce it: grants, loans, employer sponsorship and part-time work while studying. See How to Afford a Career Change and Bootcamp vs Degree.
Test before you commit
Take a free or cheap short course in the subject first. If you still enjoy it after a few weeks of evenings, that is a good sign. If you dread it, you have saved a lot of money. Our guide to free courses to change careers is a good place to start, and Are Career Change Courses Worth It? shows how to vet paid ones.
Is a new career the right fix?
Going back to school makes sense when the work itself is the problem. If the real issue is your boss, your pay or exhaustion, a qualification will not fix it. Check which cause is yours first:
- The people: I Hate My Boss
- The work itself: My Job Is So Boring
- Pay and hours: Am I Underpaid?
- Exhaustion: Job Burnout Quiz
About 3 minutes. Your result shows on screen straight away, before you pay anything.
This article is general career guidance, not financial advice.