A guide to unusual degrees

Fancy something out of the ordinary? Dan Poole reveals all

Whether Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be enrolling remains to be seen, but doubtless she'd pass the new degree being offered by Brunel University with flying colours. It's the first Masters in cult film and television, and a chance for in-depth study of films like The Omen and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and TV series like Doctor Who.

Programme director Xavier Mendik says, "Students can immerse themselves in theories about the most unusual films from around the world." Unusual is the right word; it's not necessarily the first subject that springs to mind when you're considering your options at university. But in the spirit of all things weird and wonderful, check out some of the other more surprising degree options on offer...

Poultry production and science (Scottish Agricultural College, Ayr)

By the end of this two-year HND course you'll know all about the physiology, growth, nutrition, health and welfare behind rearing chickens. Not only that, but you'll also be well placed to take up a career at a feed, equipment, welfare or technical support company. Get a good grade in this and you'll never be hen-pecked again.

www.sac.ac.uk

Puppetry (Central School of Speech and Drama, London)

No, we're not stringing you along; this is a three-year undergraduate degree in the art of puppetry and object theatre. You'll learn how to make and animate puppets and how to use your voice and physicality during a performance. Graduates have gone on to work as a puppeteer for the London Symphony Orchestra and even as a design assistant for the Channel 4 programme Hollyoaks.

www.cssd.ac.uk

Football studies (University of Luton)

Maybe Sven Goran Eriksson should have signed up for this three-year BA course. Subjects covered include football and society, sports injuries, coaching and the relationship between football and the media. Unfortunately a module on how to dance like Peter Crouch isn't included.

www.luton.ac.uk

Business economics with gambling studies (University of Salford)

Students on this course get to study gambling in terms of its economic, social, cultural and mathematical standing, so it has nothing to do with being part of a poker school. A career in management, finance or marketing beckons and during the course there is the opportunity to study at the Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Canada; bet that's got you interested.

www.salford.ac.uk

Fishery studies (Sparsholt College, Hampshire)

Fishery management, fisher science and business management are all covered on this two-year HND. Nine weeks of the course are spent on placements at fisheries, processing units and research establishments both in the UK and abroad. All in all the course sounds like quite a catch!

www.sparsholt.ac.uk

Viticulture and oenology (University of Brighton)

Viticulture and oenology? That'll be wine studies to you and I. Over this three year BSc you can learn about vineyard establishment, winery engineering, microbiology and pest management, leading to a career in vineyard management, winemaking or even research development. Could be a great course if you've got the bottle.

www.brighton.ac.uk