--- title: "Career change by starting job: routes, jobs and UK pay" description: "Pick the job you do now to see which careers our guides name it as a background for, the official routes in England, and the routes open to any graduate." url: "https://careerflip.app/career-change" tokens: 2694 --- Career change · routes checked 3 November 2026 # Career change by the job you do now Most career change advice starts from where you might go. These pages start from where you are, and only say what our data says about people from that job. ## The short version Each page lists the official routes in England whose entry rules name your job, and the jobs our role guides name it as a common background for. Below them are the routes that accept a degree in any subject, whatever you do now. ## Pick the job you do now - [From teaching](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-teaching): 3 jobs, 2 routes that name it. You've taught and you're wondering what else it qualifies you for. Here is what our own guides and the official route data say about leaving teaching. - [From nursing](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-nursing): 4 jobs, 3 routes that name it. You're a registered nurse and you want a different job, inside or outside the NHS. Your registration opens routes other people can't take. - [From care work](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-care-work): 4 jobs. You work in care and you want a registered job with a clearer path up. Our guides name caring backgrounds for four health careers. - [From customer service](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-customer-service): 10 jobs. You've spent years on the front line with customers and you want work that builds on it. Our guides name support as a way in to ten jobs. - [From marketing](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-marketing): 8 jobs. You work in marketing and you want to move sideways or out. Our guides name marketing as a feeder for eight jobs. - [From operations](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-operations): 9 jobs. You keep things running and you want a job with a clearer specialism. Our guides name operations as a way in to nine. - [From finance](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-finance): 4 jobs, 2 routes that name it. You work in finance and you want to qualify further or move across. Two official routes credit what you've already done. - [From software engineering](https://careerflip.app/career-change/from-software-engineering): 10 jobs. You write software and you want a different shape of job without starting again. Our guides name engineering as the way in to ten. ## Routes open to any graduate These accept a degree in any subject, or in a subject other than the one you'd train in, so they apply whatever job you do now. Check each row's entry rules: some ask for a minimum grade or experience. ### [Social worker](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#social-worker): Postgraduate MA, MSc or PGDip Bursary Usually 2 years full-time - Entry: A degree in another subject; each university sets the class and experience it wants - Funding: 2026–27 NHS social work bursary: up to £3,762.50 (London) or £3,362.50, plus £4,052 towards tuition, plus an income-assessed grant of up to £4,201 (London) or £2,721. Places are capped per university. You can't take a Master's loan alongside it. - Leads to: Social Work England registration, then an assessed first year (ASYE) Sources: [support-for-social-workers.education.gov.uk](https://support-for-social-workers.education.gov.uk/become-a-social-worker/postgraduate-university-qualification-course-in-social-work) [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-work-bursary-and-education-support-grant-information-packs/social-work-education-in-the-2024-to-2025-academic-year) ### [Social worker (children and families)](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#social-worker-children-and-families): Step Up to Social Work Bursary 14 months full-time - Entry: A 2:2 or better in another subject; GCSE English at 4/C; 6 months' direct experience; living in England. Not already qualified in social work. - Funding: £21,995 tax-free bursary, no tuition fees. - Leads to: Postgraduate diploma, then Social Work England registration Intakes run every 2 years. The 2026 intake is closed and the next date isn't published. Sources: [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/step-up-to-social-work-information-for-applicants) [support-for-social-workers.education.gov.uk](https://support-for-social-workers.education.gov.uk/become-a-social-worker/step-up-to-social-work) ### [Police constable](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#police-constable): Degree-holder entry (DHEP) Paid while training Normally 2 years - Entry: A Level 6 degree in any subject except professional policing - Funding: Constables start on £31,164 (from 1 September 2025); forces may start new officers on £32,472. - Leads to: Graduate diploma in professional policing practice Each force chooses which routes it runs. Sources: [joiningthepolice.co.uk](https://www.joiningthepolice.co.uk/application-process/ways-in-to-policing/entry-route-explorer) [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0112026-annexes-f-u-and-da-police-regulations-2003/annex-f-amendment-pay-accessible) ### [Detective constable](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#detective-constable): Detective degree-holder entry Paid while training 2 years - Entry: As DHEP: a degree in any subject except professional policing - Funding: Constables start on £31,164 (from 1 September 2025); forces may start new officers on £32,472. - Leads to: Graduate diploma plus PIP2 investigator accreditation (after the National Investigators' Exam) Sources: [joiningthepolice.co.uk](https://www.joiningthepolice.co.uk/application-process/ways-in-to-policing/entry-route-explorer) [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0112026-annexes-f-u-and-da-police-regulations-2003/annex-f-amendment-pay-accessible) ### [Police constable](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#police-constable): Police Now (graduate leadership or detective) Paid while training 2 years - Entry: A 2:1 or better in a non-policing degree - Funding: A warranted officer from day one. - Leads to: Graduate diploma Sources: [joiningthepolice.co.uk](https://www.joiningthepolice.co.uk/application-process/ways-in-to-policing/entry-route-explorer) ### [Probation officer](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#probation-officer): Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) Paid while training Graduates 15 or 21 months; non-graduates 27 months - Entry: Graduate route: a Level 5 qualification or higher in any subject. Non-graduate route: Level 3. - Funding: Fully funded. March 2027 intake: £28,064 in training, £37,238 once qualified, plus £4,505 London weighting. - Leads to: Level 6 Professional Qualification in Probation Applications for the March 2027 intake are closed; you can register interest. Sources: [prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk](https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/probation-service-roles/overview-of-the-probation-officer-role/) ### [Solicitor](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#solicitor): Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) Alongside your job 2 years' qualifying work experience, plus the time you take to pass SQE1 and SQE2 - Entry: A degree in any subject, or an equivalent Level 6 qualification; character and suitability checks - Funding: Exam fees from October 2026: SQE1 £2,006, SQE2 £3,086. Work experience can be paid or voluntary, with up to 4 organisations. - Leads to: Admission as a solicitor (SRA) Prep courses are optional and priced by each provider. Sources: [sra.org.uk](https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/) [sra.org.uk](https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qualifying-work-experience-candidates/) [sra.org.uk](https://www.sra.org.uk/news/sqe-update/sqe-update-april-2026/) ### [Chartered accountant (ACA, ICAEW)](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#chartered-accountant-aca-icaew): Training contract with an authorised employer Paid while training Typically 3 to 5 years - Entry: Any recognised degree, or 2 A levels and 3 GCSEs. Mature route: aged 25+ with 7 years' experience in finance, law or accountancy. - Funding: Usually employer-funded. 14 exams; 450 days of work experience. - Leads to: ACA, chartered accountant Sources: [icaew.com](https://www.icaew.com/start-your-career/how-to-become-a-chartered-accountant/discover-aca) [icaew.com](https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/aca/minimum-entry-requirements-for-the-aca) ### [School teacher](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes#school-teacher): Postgraduate, fee-funded (PGCE, SCITT, School Direct) Student funding Usually 9 months full-time; 18 to 24 months part-time - Entry: A bachelor's degree in any subject; GCSE grade 4 in English and maths (plus science to teach primary). Some providers ask for a 2:2 or above. - Funding: Fees up to £9,790 (2026–27), with tuition and maintenance loans. 2026–27 bursaries: £29,000 for chemistry, computing, maths or physics; £20,000 for design and technology or languages; £5,000 for biology or geography. Scholarships of £31,000 (chemistry, computing, physics) or £22,000 (French, German, Spanish) instead. None for primary, English or history. - Leads to: QTS, often with a PGCE Sources: [getintoteaching.education.gov.uk](https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/train-to-be-a-teacher/if-you-have-a-degree) [getintoteaching.education.gov.uk](https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-support/tuition-fees) [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt-academic-year-2026-to-2027) ## Is it too late to change? You're far from the only one asking. In a 2025 survey, one in three UK workers said they feel they've missed their chance. Age, job security and the cost of retraining were what kept people in jobs they disliked. [Nottingham Trent University, August 2025](https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2025/08/im-too-old-for-that%21-brits-stuck-in-jobs-they-hate-because-they-think-theyve-missed-the-boat) Most routes ask what you've done and what you can learn, not your age. The social work degree apprenticeship has no upper age limit. ICAEW's accountancy route has a mature entry for people aged 25 or over with 7 years' experience. ## Questions ### Why isn't my job here? We only publish a page when our data has something specific to say about it: a route that names the job, or at least three role guides that do. If yours isn't here, the routes open to any graduate below may still apply. ## More - [Every career change route in England](https://careerflip.app/career-change-routes) - [Check typical pay for a job title](https://careerflip.app/pay-check) - [Explore career guides](https://careerflip.app/explore) [Start free: see where your CV points](https://careerflip.app/auth?src=career-change&via=md)