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Are you close to completing high school? If yes, then you must have been spending a lot of time deciding which direction to take your career to, what is the right subject for you, which course to choose, and which university to apply to. These questions can get overwhelming sometimes, especially when the courses are not clear. You must have seen on the internet or heard from people that they are pursuing an Honours degree or a Bachelor’s degree. But what is honours degree meaning?
Don’t worry! In this blog, you will find all the answers to the long going debate of Honours degree Vs Bachelor’s degree. No matter where you go to study, you will have to choose your course in the university. To end your stress and worry, we have provided all the information that you need to know before selecting a course for your higher education. So, without any delay, let’s understand what is a bachelor’s degree and what is an honours degree!
Before you start reading about the differences between both the degrees, it is essential for you to understand that these degrees can have different values and importance in different countries. Hence, it is best to check the rules, requirements and meaning of both the degrees in your choice of country, before making any decisions.
All about Honours Degree
Having a Bachelor’s degree with Honours (commonly known as Hons) is considered a higher degree, and a higher level of achievement in many countries. These undergraduate degrees have an upper level of curriculum, as compared to normal Bachelor’s degrees. To make BA Hons meaning clearer, understand it as a way to deliver knowledge in a more professional and particular setting. It further encourages students to choose a course or research topic in their choice of particular subject.
An Honours Degree focuses on teaching students a specific subject of their choice. For example, BA Psychology Hons, BA Political Science Hons, BA Geography Hons, and so on. In many countries, BA Hons Degree is of 3 years duration, and many have it for 4 years.
Types of Honours Degree
Did you know that there are three types of Honours Degree? This is one of the best parts about pursuing Honours degree, as it gives you the chance to complete your degree in your preferred way. Let’s see these three types of Honours:
- Single Honours Degree: Once students have completed their undergraduate studies, they can choose to opt for a Single Honours Degree. It is then considered as an additional course. Students also have the choice to opt for three subjects in one single Honours degree. For example, Political Science, History and Geography. This allows you to specialize in one subject of your choice.
- Joint/Combined Honours Degree: If you feel that having specialization in just one subject is not enough, then you can opt for Joint/Combined Honours Degree. Because of this degree, students can pursue various subjects independently, that too at an undergraduate level. Students have the choice to select different modules for each subject that they choose. The subjects that you choose are taught by the respective departments of the university.
- A Degree with an Honours Project: This is perhaps the easiest way to earn an Honours degree. This type of degree is of typical 3-year duration, where students are required to submit a dissertation or project. Moreover, this degree has a credit of 360, as compared to degrees without dissertation, that have 300 credits set.
All about Bachelor’s Degree
Now you know everything that you need to know about Honours Degree. Now, let’s learn about Bachelor’s Degree, and how it differs from Honours. This degree is common with the United Kingdom. Students cover a number of subjects in Bachelor’s, as compared to an Honours degree. Moreover, this degree takes less time to complete, as compared to Honours degree which is 3-4 years long.
Students who are unsure about one particular subject, or wish to have knowledge of various subjects can opt for Bachelor’s degree. This degree is also helpful in getting jobs, and excelling in them, as employers often seek employees that have knowledge of a broad industry. Moreover, many job requirements mention Bachelor’s as the minimum qualification for eligibility.
Types of Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor’s of Arts (BA): A Bachelor of Arts Degree is given to someone who studies courses in the stream of humanities or social sciences. It does not focus on just one subject but provides an overall education of subjects.
- Bachelor’s of Science (BSC): The way BA focuses on subjects related to Arts; a Bachelor of Science focuses on several subjects related to science. For example, BSc Biomedical Sciences, BSc Botany, BSc Statistics, and more. Some universities have a 3-year BSc program, while some have 4-year programs.
- Bachelor of Law: If you have always wanted to pursue law and build a career in the legal department, then Bachelor of Law is the right degree for you. This degree provides students with the foundation of law and the legal system, which would help them in every field of law that they choose.
Key Differences: Honour’s V/s Bachelor’s
If you are still feeling confused between the two degrees, then it is time to grow the table given below.
| Honour’s Degree | Bachelor’s Degree |
| More complex and difficult to complete. | Easier to pursue, as compared to an Honour’s Degree. |
| An Honour’s degree requires more extensive research, as compared to a Bachelor’s. | The curriculum of a Bachelor’s Degree focuses less on research and differs in the way knowledge is provided. |
| An Honour’s Degree allows students to study a number of subjects at once, all together. | In a Bachelor’s degree, the student needs to study each subject separately. |
Which one is better: Honour’s or Bachelor’s?
This is a question that we cannot answer for you, but we can definitely help you reach a decision. While both the degrees are important and valuable, they both have different directions.
- If you have always dreamed of studying one subject, are interested in research, and are certain that you want to build a career in that field then choose Honours.
- If you want to gain knowledge about several subjects, and are unsure which field you would want to build your career in, then go for a Bachelor’s degree.
Top Universities for pursuing Bachelor’s Degree:
- University of Oxford
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- MIT
- Cambridge University
Top Universities for Pursuing Honour’s Degree:
- University of Sydney
- Harvard University
- University of Oxford
- Stanford University
- University of Toronto
Ending Words
In today’s time, both Bachelor’s and Honour’s degrees are reputed and in demand. By reading this blog, you must have gotten an idea about how these two degrees differ, what do they qualify us for, and what career paths are that we can choose post study. Now, all you need to do is decide which subject you wish to pursue, and then enroll in your preferred degree.
Also Read:- Hardest University Degrees In The UK
