While searching international universities can be a bit overwhelming with the different application processes, it doesn’t help when the degrees are written in ways that you may not be familiar with. In the UK, as opposed to the USA, there is not as much flexibility to study outside of your chosen course (degree) as your modules (classes) are set. For instance, if you were to study History, you would find it hard to be able to take a Biology class. While this is great for those wanting to avoid pre-requisite classes that are typically found in the US university system, it can make students feel a bit trapped. Never fear, there are some courses that do allow students to study more than one subject. In this blog, I will be explaining the various degree options a student can expect.
Please note, this is not representative of all universities – you should always contact a representative of the university you are interested in to discuss your degree options. This article mainly refers to universities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Single Honours Degrees
A single honours degree is the traditional degree from a UK university. This will be specific in your course and will typically take three years. Most universities will have the class listings for the degree on the course page under a modules tab. This type of degree will be very focused on your chosen subject area and does not allow much opportunity for students to study outside of their subject area. Your classes each year will be from a select list of modules with some being compulsory modules and others being optional modules, which you must choose a number to take.
Joint Honours or Combined Degrees
A joint degree is a degree that is typically a combination of two degrees. These are also referred to as combined degrees. This would give you a diploma in both chosen subjects. The subjects must be closely related, for instance, History and International Politics may be together as a joint honours degree. While it allows you to achieve accreditation in both subject areas, you will not have the opportunity to study much outside of the two areas. Your classes each year will be from a select list of modules with some being compulsory and others being optional. You must choose a number of modules to take for the semester. Universities will have these joint degrees listed on their course pages and will typically not have any additional entry requirements for these degrees.
If you are interested in joint or combination courses, Aberystwyth University has a variety of different subjects you can choose from. You can visit our website to check out our list of degrees here.
Integrated Degrees
While each university may call this something different, this is a degree that may take longer than the traditional 3 years a student can expect to study at the undergraduate level in the UK. This may be a degree that is 4 years with the third year serving as an integrated year abroad or integrated year in industry. This means that for that third year you are either studying at another university, in another country, or you are obtaining work experience in the UK or abroad, depending on the options available at your chosen university.
For many students, this four-year course is the only option that allows students to study abroad for a full year. The three-year course would only allow for a semester or a summer program. If you are interested in any of your university’s 4-year integrated courses I would recommend applying for that course and then, if you change your mind later, you can move to the three-year course. Due to visa regulations, it is easier to change from a 4-year student visa to a 3 year than it is to change from a 3 year to a 4-year student visa.
You may also see degrees that are 4 years and are integrated Master’s degrees. This would give you your Bachelor’s accreditation after 3 years but you would automatically be enrolled for the Master’s level course in the subject and after 1 more year you would graduate with your Master’s as well.
No matter what subject you are interested in, you should see what different types of degrees your department or university offers. You never know, you may be able to gain practical work experience or enjoy a year abroad as part of your degree. As always, you should contact a representative of the university you are interested in to discuss your degree options as some may have differing entry requirements.
Jackie Jarocki is a Regional Officer at Aberystwyth University. Jackie is a former international student from the USA who came to study in the UK in 2018 and never left! She has been working in the UK Higher Education in international student recruitment since 2019.
