The Bachelor's Degree is Making a Comeback – Here's Why Online is the Smartest Way to Get Yours

After years of "degrees don't matter", employers have quietly changed their minds – and now they are hiring bachelor's graduates faster than ever.

New data from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows that 68% of UK employers now prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree for entry-level professional roles. This is a 15% increase from 2024.

Why the change? Employers tried hiring based on short courses and portfolios alone. It failed. Too many candidates had certificates but no depth. No rigour. No ability to think systematically.

Companies like PwC and Deloitte have quietly reintroduced degree requirements for graduate schemes. They learned that a bachelor's degree is still the most reliable signal of commitment, critical thinking, and follow-through.

Here is what this means for you. A bachelor's degree is more valuable than it has been in five years. But you do not need to quit your job or sit in a lecture hall to get one.

An online bachelor's degree from a British institution gives you:

• The same qualification as on-campus students

• The flexibility to study while you work

• A clear foundation for career growth

• The option to add a master's degree later – your "top-up" to even higher earnings

At Business School England, our online bachelor's programmes are designed for working professionals. You earn a recognised British degree without putting your life on hold.

And when you are ready to go further? Our master's programmes are the perfect top-up. Bachelor's first. Master's next. Your career, accelerated.

Employers have rediscovered the value of a bachelor's degree. Now is your moment.

Ready to earn the degree that employers are hiring for? Explore BSE's online bachelor's programmes today.