Getting a university degree was once seen as a useful path to a lucrative career. Yet high tuition fees are deterring many, especially given that employers are increasingly looking beyond academics, instead considering a range of other factors. So is the traditional degree a thing of the past?

From picking a course, to selecting an institution, to deciding whether to go at all, applying for university can be daunting and people sometimes need guidance. German newspaper Die Zeit is stepping up to give students-to-be the tools they need to make the right choices about their futures.

Although university enrollment in the US is in decline – and has been since 2013 – many Americans are still keen to further their education. Looking to justify the high tuition fees, American students are flocking to more 'practical degrees' that they can apply directly to their careers.

Driven by the evolving relationship between learning and earning, a desire for a more fulfilling life, and shifts in the job market, an increasing number of mid- to late-careerists are returning to education. How are people acquiring knowledge outside of college? And what are they hoping to achieve?