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8 Well Paid Jobs that Don't Require a Degree & the MOOCs to Get Them

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Don’t have the time or money to get a degree? If spending years in further education isn’t for you, there are other options available. While those with bachelor's degrees do tend to earn more on average, you can get a relatively high-paying job without a degree.

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Several career paths benefit more from gaining experience or a specific skill and many of these jobs offer good pay as well as opportunity for growth, making them a more than valid career choice.

Whether you’re looking for a career change or just starting out, we’ve compiled a list of well-paid jobs that don’t require a degree. However, what you WILL need are the right skills, experience and the willingness to learn. To help you build a strong skillset we’ve selected some of the best open online courses for each career path that will give you the tools to stand out above the rest and land that dream job.

The average salary for jobs on this list is around £45,131 in the UK or $74,000 in the US

Journalist
Average Salary:
£29,000 (UK) | $39,735 (US)
You don’t necessarily need a degree to break into this industry — all you need is a good story and the ability to write.

Recommended Courses in Journalism

Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization
By Michigan State University via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Launch Your Journalism Career. Develop journalistic skills for print, broadcast and social media platforms.

Journalism Skills for Engaged Citizens
By The University of Melbourne via Coursera | 6 weeks

This is a course in basic journalism skills, designed for the many people who are now taking advantage of new media to publish news, views and information.

Introduction to Journalism
By University of Strathclyde via Futurelearn | 6 weeks

Learn about the key principles and debates in journalism and enact the role of a journalist in the context of an escalating story.

Community Journalism: Digital and Social Media
By Cardiff University via Futurelearn | 5 weeks

Gain practical skills and insights into hyperlocal journalism, and use digital and social media to create your own news website.

Free Speech in Journalism Teach-Out
By University of Michigan via Coursera | 2 weeks

This Teach-Out prompts participants to think critically about the roles and responsibilities of journalists in a free society.

Global Muckraking: Investigative Journalism and Global Media
By Columbia University via EdX | 5 weeks

Learn how brave journalists can rock the world by exposing corruption and human rights and labor abuses.

English for Journalism
By University of Pennsylvania via Coursera | 5 weeks

This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism.

English for Journalists, Part 1
By University of California, Berkeley via EdX | 5 weeks

Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and writing skills through exciting topics in journalism and world news.

English for Journalists, Part 2
By University of California, Berkeley via EdX | 5 weeks

Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and writing skills through topics in journalism including free speech, sports, humor and broadcast writing.


Project Manager
Average Salary:
£52,500 (UK) | $80,956 (US)
Project Managers can work in a variety of different fields and are essentially responsible for delivering projects on time and in budget, by planning and organising resources and people.

Recommended Courses in Project Management

Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management
By University of Virginia via Coursera | 4 weeks

This is an introductory course on the key concepts of planning and executing projects.

Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management
By University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business via Futurelearn | 4 weeks

Learn the basics of project planning and management so you can run effective projects at work or in daily life.

Introduction to Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization
By University of California, Irvine via Coursera | 4 course specialization

This intensive and hands-on series of courses gives you the skills to ensure your projects are completed on time and on budget while giving the user the product they expect.

Professional Certificate in Applied Project Management
By University of California, Irvine via Coursera | 4 courses - 6 weeks each

Lead complex projects to successful completion and tap into new career opportunities.

Project Management MicroMasters
By Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) via EdX | 4 courses

Launch your career in an industry that is adding 1.5 million jobs globally each year by earning a Project Management MicroMasters Credential from RIT.

Evidence-Based Project Management
By Australian National University via EdX | 6 weeks

Learn which project management strategies, tools and techniques are most effective by analyzing evidence-based research.

Construction Management Specialization
By Columbia University via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Construction Project Management and Planning. Develop and understand the foundations of project planning and scheduling techniques

Engineering Project Management Specialization
By Rice University via Coursera | 3 course specialization

Manage Successful Engineering Projects. Master strategies and tools to more effectively and successfully manage projects.

Management of Engineering Projects; Dealing with Complexity
By Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) via EdX | 2 course Professional Certificate

Develop the project management skills you need to successfully manage complex engineering, infrastructure and other large projects.

Management and Financing of Engineering Projects
By Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) via EdX | 2 course Professional Certificate

Improve your project management skills and learn the key strategies to generate crucial funding for your project.

IT Project Management
By Indian School of Business via Coursera | 4 weeks

This course addresses project management in the context of IT projects, including software projects.

Time Management Strategies for Project Management
By Purdue University via Futurelearn | 2 weeks

Develop your time management skills and discover time management strategies to ensure every project you manage runs smoothly.

Managing Projects with Microsoft Project
By Microsoft via EdX | 6 weeks

Learn how to successfully plan and design your own projects using Microsoft Project, the go to app for project managers.


Supply Chain Manager
Average Salary:
£42,500 (UK) | $86,113 (US)
Many people go into supply chain management without a relevant degree. A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for the flow of goods and services, from acquiring raw materials and production to distribution to the final customer in the most streamlined, efficient and economical way as possible.

Recommended Courses in Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management Specialization
By Rutgers Business School via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Supply Chain Management. Master the Fundamentals: Logistics, Operations, Planning, Sourcing, and Strategy.

Value Chain Management Specialization
By University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera | 7course specialization

Master Value Chain Analysis. Acquire critical business management competencies to create, measure, and maximize value.

Supply Chain Management MicroMasters
By Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) via EdX | 6 courses

Earn a MicroMasters credential from MIT’s #1 ranked Supply Chain Management Program to advance your career.

Supply Chain Management: A Learning Perspective
By Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology via Coursera | 10 weeks

In this course, we want to understand fundamental principles of value creation for the consumers or the market.

Supply Chain Principles
By Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera | 5 weeks

This course will provide a solid understanding of what a supply chain is all about.

Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework
By Université catholique de Louvain via EdX | 6 weeks

Learn how to make rational and confident supply chain decisions, by understanding how they impact the finance, market and strategy of your company.

Supply Chain Innovation: How Technology Can Create a Sustainable Future
By University of Twente via Futurelearn | 6 weeks

Understand how new technologies can make supply chains more sustainable and learn how to deal with today's trends.

The Digital Economy: Effective Supply Chain Management
By The Open University via Futurelearn | 6 weeks

Learn how supply chains work in the digital era, and how you can make them more effective and efficient.


HR Manager
Average Salary:
£42,500 (UK) | $54,469 (US)
A career as an HR Manager doesn't necessarily require a degree. As an HR Manager you’ll oversee a company’s HR policies and oversee employee recruitment, disciplinary practices, holidays, sickness and training programmes.

Recommended Courses in Human Resource Management

HR Fundamentals
By Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development via Futurelearn | 5 weeks

Get an introduction to the practice of HR, and develop the skills you need to become an HR professional.

People Management Skills
By Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development via Futurelearn | 5 weeks

Get an introduction to people management and develop your own management style.

Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization
By University of Minnesota via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Become a better manager of people. Develop strategies and skills for hiring, managing performance, and rewarding employees.

The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
By University of London, Birkbeck, University of London via Coursera | 6 weeks

The aim of this course is to give you a practical guide to managing people at work.

People Analytics
By University of Pennsylvania via Coursera | 4 weeks

In this brand new course, three of Wharton’s top professors, all pioneers in the field of people analytics, will explore the state-of-the-art techniques used to recruit and retain great people, and demonstrate how these techniques are used at cutting-edge companies.

Managing Social and Human Capital
By University of Pennsylvania via Coursera | 4 weeks

This course will teach you how to motivate individual performance and design reward systems, how to design jobs and organize work for high performance, how to make good and timely management decisions, and how to design and change your organization’s architecture.

Conflict Management Specialization
By University of California, Irvine via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Turn Conflict into Collaboration. Learn proven approaches to conflict resolution in three courses.

Modern Empowerment in the Workplace
By The Open University via Futurelearn | 4 weeks

The 21st century is transforming the workplace. Explore the role of human resources (HR) in this modern empowerment era.

Managing Human Resources in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
By The Hong Kong Polytechnic University via EdX | 6 weeks

Understand essential human resources concepts and theories and analyze contemporary issues in the management of human capital.

People Management for Entrepreneurs
By Indian Institute of Management Bangalore via EdX | 7 weeks

Learn human resources best practices to enhance your business culture and be an effective people manager.

Unconscious Bias: From Awareness to Action
By Catalyst via EdX | 1 week

Learn in-demand leadership skills necessary to manage unconscious bias in your workplace.

Social Wellbeing
By The University of Edinburgh via Futurelearn | 3 weeks

Find out how measuring and promoting wellbeing can make people, organisations and society more focused, considerate and effective.


Marketing Manager
Average Salary:
£46,195 (UK) | $69,556 (US)
While some marketing manager jobs may require a marketing degree, not all of them do so long as you can demonstrate you have the necessary skills.

Recommended Courses in Human Marketing

Introduction to Marketing
By University of Pennsylvania via Coursera | 5 weeks

Taught by three of Wharton's top faculty in the marketing department, consistently ranked as the #1 marketing department in the world, this course covers three core topics in customer loyalty: branding, customer centricity, and practical, go-to-market strategies.

Marketing Management I
By University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera | 4 weeks

In this course, you will learn how businesses create value for customers. We will examine the process by which Marketing builds on a thorough understanding of buyer behavior to create value.

Marketing Management II
By University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera | 4 weeks

In this course, you will further examine how businesses create value for customers.

Digital Skills: Digital Marketing
By Accenture via Futurelearn | 2 weeks

Learn about some of the different digital marketing strategies and techniques that are available for businesses to use.

Digital Marketing Specialization
By University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera | 7 course specialization

Drive Customer Behavior Online. A six-course overview of the latest digital marketing skills, taught by industry experts.

Digital Marketing MasterTrack™ Certificate
By University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera | 7 months

Designed for beginners and professionals who want to launch a career in digital marketing, this MasterTrack™ Certificate will help you understand how to engage customers in the digital world.

Marketing in a Digital World MicroMasters
By Curtin University via EdX | 5 courses

Advance your career and help your organisation succeed by developing the in-demand marketing skills needed in a digital world.

Digital Marketing Professional Certificate
By The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania via EdX | 4 courses

Gain a competitive advantage and learn essential digital marketing skills and strategies in this 4-course program from the top ranked Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Strategic Social Media Marketing
By Boston University via EdX | 6 weeks

Learn how to drive social media engagement by linking strategy and tactics and measuring results.

Digital Skills: Social Media
By Accenture via Futurelearn | 2 weeks

Learn how to use social media for business, from creating a social media presence to measuring success.

Marketing Strategy Specialization
By IE Business School via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Develop Your Marketing Strategy. Learn the fundamentals of market research, positioning, the marketing mix and campaign planning.

International Marketing & Cross Industry Growth Specialization
By Yonsei University via Coursera | 6 course specialization

This Specialization covers marketing concepts but, more importantly, emphasizes the need by companies and individuals to think openly across international markets and industries for new ideas or expansion.

Foundations of Marketing Analytics Specialization
By Emory University via Coursera | 6 course specialization

Inform Decision Making with Marketing Analytics. Leverage data and analytics to drive managerial decisions and marketing strategy.

Marketing Analytics MicroMasters
By University of California, Berkeley via EdX | 4 courses

Learn how to integrate analytics-based marketing and strategic concepts to improve business decisions and return on marketing investment (ROMI).

Marketing Analytics
By Darden School of Business, University of Virginia via Futurelearn | 5 weeks

Learn the basics of marketing analytics and understand how to use data to ensure your marketing is effective.

Marketing Mix Implementation Specialization
By IE Business School via Coursera | 5 course specialization

In this Specialization we will delve into the marketing mix and the skill-set needed to implement successful marketing strategies.


Computer Software Engineer
Average Salary:
£58,057 (UK) | $98,547 (US)
Software engineering is one of the most in-demand skills today and employers will be more interested in what you can actually do than your educational qualifications.

Recommended Courses in software engineering

Software Engineering Essentials
By Technische Universität München via EdX | 8 weeks

Learn agile methods, object-oriented programing and best practices for analysis, design, testing and management in software engineering.

Computer Science Essentials for Software Development Professional Certificate
By University of Pennsylvania via EdX | 4 courses

Learn essential computer science concepts in order to design efficient high quality software.

Software Development MicroMasters
By University of British Columbia via EdX | 6 courses

Learn software engineering skills experts use to work in any programming language and build a project portfolio using Java, Typescript and more.

Globally Distributed Software Engineering
By Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) via EdX | 7 weeks

Develop the technical and organizational skills you need to practice software engineering in a globally distributed environment.

Introduction to Professional Software Development Professional Certificate
By Microsoft via EdX | 4 courses

This program will teach you how to better work in teams, to find and fix errors, to write software not only that everyone can use enjoys using, and insure your codebase against disaster.

Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization
By Duke University via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Explore a Career as a Software Engineer. Learn the basics of programming and software development.

Object Oriented Programming in Java Specialization
By UC San Diego, Duke University via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Grow Your Portfolio as a Software Engineer. Learn about Object Oriented Design in four project-based courses.

Mastering Software Development in R Specialization
By Johns Hopkins University via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Build the Tools for Better Data Science. Learn to design software for data tooling, distribute R packages, and build custom visualizations.

Software Design and Architecture Specialization
By University of Alberta via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Mindful Strategies for Quality Software. Think like an expert architect and create quality software using design patterns and principles.

Software Development Lifecycle Specialization
By University of Minnesota via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Launch Your Career in Software Development. Master techniques and best practices for traditional and agile software project management.

Software Testing and Verification MicroMasters
By University of Maryland University College (UMUC), University System of Maryland via EdX | 3 courses

Learn methods and techniques to test and verify software to advance your career as a software tester or software developer.


Web Developer
Average Salary:
£52,294 (UK) | $78,528 (US)
Web developers design, create, and maintain websites - skills that are very much in demand. Often, web developers are completely self-taught and you don't need a degree to land a job in this field.

Recommended Courses in web development

Web Design for Everybody (Basics of Web Development and Coding) Specialization
By University of Michigan via Coursera | 5 course specialization

This Specialization covers how to write syntactically correct HTML5 and CSS3, and how to create interactive web experiences with JavaScript.

Full Stack Web and Multiplatform Mobile App Development Specialization
By The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Build Complete Web and Hybrid Mobile Solutions. Master front-end web, hybrid mobile app and server-side development in five comprehensive courses.

Front-End Web Developer Professional Certificate
By The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) via EdX | 5 course professional certificate

Master the foundational programming languages for Web development, HTML5, CSS and JavaScript, to gain skills in one of the fastest growing careers.

Web Applications for Everybody Specialization
By University of Michigan via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Build dynamic database-backed web sites. Use PHP, MySQL, jQuery, and Handlebars to build web and database applications

Ruby on Rails Web Development Specialization
By Johns Hopkins University via Coursera | 6 course specialization

Become a Rails Developer. Create modern full-stack web applications in five courses.

Responsive Website Development and Design Specialization
By Johns Hopkins University via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Create a Web Experience. Learn the fundamentals of full stack web development in five comprehensive courses.

Android App Development Specialization
By Vanderbilt University via Coursera | 5 course specialization

Launch Your Android App Development Career. Master the knowledge and skills necessary to develop maintainable mobile computing apps.

iOS App Development with Swift Specialization
By University of Toronto via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Launch Your Career in iOS. Start building iOS apps in Swift in just four courses.


Information Technology Manager
Average Salary:
£38,000 (UK) | $84,344 (US)
As well as supervising teams, IT Managers are also often responsible for monitoring the company’s IT infrastructure and implementing the rules and protocol governing the use of company computers, data, and network access.

Recommended Courses in web development

Google IT Support Professional Certificate
By Grow with Google via Coursera | 6 course professional certificate

The launchpad to a career in IT. This program is designed to take beginner learners to job readiness in eight to 12 months.

Cloud Computing Specialization
By University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera | 6 course specialization

Clouds, Distributed Systems, Networking. Learn about and build distributed and networked systems for clouds and big data.

IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals
By Universitat Politècnica de Valencia via EdX | 5 course professional certificate

Learn the basic concepts of Information Systems and their application and the terminology used in IT to advance your career.

Internet of Things (IoT) MicroMasters
By Curtin University via EdX | 6 course MicroMasters

The IoT is leading a digital revolution for industries. Learn to design IoT solutions and guide cutting-edge IoT projects in your field.

Microsoft Professional Program in IT Support
By Microsoft via EdX | 13 courses

Become knowledgeable on the wide set of skills that will allow you to work as a Tier 1 IT support professional.

Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization
By New York University via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Cyber Security. An introduction to modern information and system protection technology and methods.

Cybersecurity for Business Specialization
By University of Colorado via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Discover the practical side of computer security. Identify what threatens your business and master how to practically defend against those threats.

Computer Security and Systems Management Specialization
By University of Colorado via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Practical Application to System Management. Learn how to securely design and manage enterprise systems utilizing mainstream operating systems.

Computer Communications Specialization
By University of Colorado via Coursera | 4 course specialization

Launch your career in computer network & security. Provide an introduction to fundamental network architecture concepts and network design alternatives.

Essentials of Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
By University of Washington via EdX | 4 course professional certificate

An introduction to the expanding world of cybersecurity and the opportunity to find your niche in this exciting, in-demand field.

Cybersecurity MicroMasters
By Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) via EdX | 5 course MicroMasters

Launch your career in a high demand industry that projects 2 million new jobs annually by earning a Cybersecurity MicroMasters Credential from RIT.
 
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