A lack of a university degree isn’t a dealbreaker. Many women face the stress of providing for their children. This can be especially worrying without a degree, as you might be concerned about career prospects, earning potential, and your ability to support your family. 

Let’s be honest, parenting is a full-time job on its own. If you’re a woman, it’s like working overtime, 24/7. But bills don’t stop coming in, no matter how busy you are with the kids. Keep reading for more information.

There are plenty of rewarding career paths out there that don’t require a university degree, unlike what some might believe. In fact, even without a degree, you can still build a good income and support your family as a woman. Striking a healthy work-life balance is a challenge for everyone, but it can be particularly tricky for women. 

This is because we traditionally take on more childcare responsibilities than men – The Sydney Morning Herald even reports that women do an extra hour of housework and childcare each day!

Being a woman can certainly make achieving a work-life balance more challenging. But don’t worry – we’ve compiled a list of the top careers for women without a university degree! Most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself – there’s no need to strive for perfection. With just your GCSEs, you can absolutely find a way to make things work for you and your family. Now, let’s explore these top careers for women without a university degree.

Top 11 Careers for Women Without a University Degree

Thinking about returning to work or starting a new career but don’t have a university degree? Don’t worry, there are plenty of rewarding options available! Here’s our list of the top 11 careers for women without a degree:

1. Childcare Provider

Yearly average salary: £25,974

Childcare providers look after children, and there are a number of ways to do this in the UK. You might work as a nanny for a single family, for an agency, or even set up your own childcare facility in your home. However, be aware that depending on your local authority regulations, you may need to obtain specific licences to operate a daycare centre.

One of the biggest perks of being a childcare provider is that you often get access to subsidised childcare for your own children.

Qualities

• A passion for caring for children
• Permits required to open your own daycare centre (subject to local authority regulations)

2. Customer Service Representative

Average annual salary: £23,955 

Customer service representatives are the main point of contact for customers interacting with a business. You’ll be responsible for assisting clients with their enquiries about products or services, whether via phone, email, or live chat.

Requirements

• A reliable internet connection is essential if working from home.
• Excellent multitasking skills are necessary.

3. Sales Associate

Average annual salary: £25,000

One of the biggest draws of being a sales associate is the variety! You could be selling anything from insurance and real estate to medical equipment and cars. There’s also the potential to earn a very good income – many sales associates work on a commission basis, on top of a base salary, so the more you sell, the more you earn!

Requirements

• Strong communication skills are essential.
• Some employers may require sales qualifications (e.g., NVQs).

4. Hair Stylist

Average annual salary: £25,592

Hair stylists shampoo, cut, colour, and style hair. As with many non-degree careers, hair stylist salaries can vary widely. You might start your career at a lower salary in a salon, but as you gain experience, you could move to high-end salons where clients pay hundreds of pounds for haircuts and colouring.

Requirements

• Excellent hair cutting and styling techniques
• A cosmetology qualification may be required (NVQ in Beauty Therapy Services – Hairdressing)

5. Fitness Instructor

Average annual salary: £22,496

Fitness instructors lead group exercise classes or provide one-on-one instruction in physical activity. They can specialise in areas like weightlifting, aerobics, yoga, pilates, and pretty much any other type of exercise you can imagine!

Fitness instructors typically work in gyms or leisure centres, but you can also set up your own business and become self-employed. This flexibility is one of the reasons why it’s a great career choice for parents without a degree.

Requirements

• Excellent fitness skills
• Relevant qualifications in the field (e.g., Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing)

6. Interpreter

Average annual salary: £32,063

It’s important to understand the distinction between interpreters and translators. Translators work with written text, often needing to be certified if dealing with legal documents. Interpreters, on the other hand, provide spoken translations in real-time.

Interpreters can be employed in a variety of settings, including government agencies, educational institutions, hospitals, and more.

Requirements

• Fluency in one or more languages other than English
• Certification may be required (depending on the field and employer)

7. Social Media Manager

Average annual salary: £36,218

Social media managers develop, implement, and manage marketing strategies for various social media platforms. You could work as a freelancer, for a single company, or for an agency.

With the ever-growing popularity of social media, the ability to leverage these platforms effectively is a highly sought-after skill. As a freelancer, you could work with a wide range of clients, from individuals and small businesses in your local area to larger organisations.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Up-to-date knowledge of pop culture and current trends
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

8. Graphic Designer

Average annual salary: £29,073

Graphic designers are the creative minds behind the visuals we see everywhere. From brochures and logos to book covers, social media graphics, and even adverts, graphic designers use technology to bring their ideas to life.

Like many creative careers that don’t require a university degree, graphic design offers flexibility. You could work for a company, an agency, or even set up your own freelance business and be your own boss.

Requirements

• Strong design and technical skills
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software like Photoshop and InDesign (costs to consider)

9. Writer

Average annual salary: £35,563

Chances are, the content you’re reading online right now was created by a writer! From blog posts and articles to newsletters, ebooks, and more, all that written content needs someone to craft it.

The beauty of being a writer is the variety! If you have a strong command of the English language, you can find freelance work creating content for businesses in almost any niche, from technology and fashion to food and lifestyle.

Requirements

• Excellent writing skills with a strong grasp of grammar
• Ability to conduct thorough research
• Adept at meeting deadlines

10. Photographer

Average annual salary: £29,786

Photography is a fantastic option for a side hustle alongside your main job, especially for mums who appreciate flexibility. Freelance photographers can set their own hours and work on projects that interest them.

Photographers capture images for a variety of clients, including bloggers, journalists, event planners, fashion designers, and many more!

Requirements

• Photography equipment (camera, lenses etc.)
• Editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom)
• Strong photography skills (composition, lighting etc.)

11. Bookkeeper

Average annual salary: £26,348

Bookkeepers can be employed directly by companies or work as freelance contractors. Their primary responsibility is to oversee a company’s cash flow, which involves tracking transactions, maintaining financial records, and keeping copies of receipts.

The beauty of bookkeeping is that it can be done on a freelance basis. This is particularly beneficial if you prefer to work locally, as every business, from large corporations to small, independent shops, needs bookkeeping services.

Requirements

• Strong organisational skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Knowledge of bookkeeping principles and practices
• Proficiency in bookkeeping software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)

How Can Women Without University Degree Make Ends Meet? 

Being a woman comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to managing a household on a single income. That’s why it’s crucial for women to take control of their finances.

The first step to financial security is creating a budget. This helps you track your income and expenses, so you know exactly where your money is going. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are plenty of budgeting tools, templates, and even budgeting challenges available online to help you get started and stay on track.

What Are the Best Careers for Women Without a University Degree That Offer a Lot of Flexibility?

While flexibility is a top priority for many women without a university degree, it often comes hand-in-hand with freelancing or contracting.  These roles can be fantastic for women who need to juggle childcare, but they may also mean less predictable income and limited benefits like employer-provided healthcare.

The good news is there are career options that offer both stability and flexibility. Roles in sales, customer service, social media management, and bookkeeping can provide a regular income with the option of flexible working hours or part-time arrangements.

Which Careers for Women Without a University Degree Has the Most Accommodating Hours? 

Juggling everything as a woman can feel like a constant act of balancing plates. That’s why flexibility is key when it comes to your career. Luckily, there are several options that offer this:

• Customer service: Many customer service roles allow for flexible hours, shift work, or even homeworking opportunities.
• Fitness instructor: You could work with a gym or leisure centre, but you can also become self-employed and set your own hours.
• Graphic design: Freelance graphic designers have the freedom to choose their projects and set their own schedules.
• Writer: Freelance writers can work on projects from home and manage their deadlines independently.
• Virtual assistant: Virtual assistants enjoy the flexibility of remote work and can tailor their hours to fit their needs.

And of course, if you’re entrepreneurial, you can always explore starting your own business! This allows you to be your own boss and set your working hours completely independently.