honours degree and phd

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What are the differences between an honours degree and a phd, was this answer helpful, published answers.

• What higher degree by research (HDR) programs are available, other than a PhD?
• What types of Honours degrees are available?
• What is the fastest pathway to complete a PhD after an undergraduate degree?
• Is there a time limit between completing my honours degree and beginning a PhD?
• Will I still be able to pursue a research higher degree after completing a new Honours degree?

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What Is An Honors College? A Complete Guide

Updated: Nov 8, 2023, 1:38pm

As you plan your path in higher education, you have many options. You have to select a major and a minor, you have to decide on a university—and the decisions don’t end there.

Some college students want to take a more ambitious approach to their learning; that’s where honors colleges come in. Honors colleges serve high-performing learners who want a greater challenge. So if you have a high GPA, superb academic ability and a desire to join a community of similar-minded students, you may want to look into attending an honors college.

But what exactly is an honors college, and who should attend one? This article explores these questions and addresses whether honors colleges are worth it. Read on to learn more.

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What Is an Honors College?

An honors college is a distinct college within a broader university, much like a college of engineering or business. It provides a unique environment for students who want a more challenging learning experience than they might receive in traditional courses.

Honors colleges offer robust, interdisciplinary courses, including ones focused on leadership, research, and engaging with other students and the community. They also provide amenities, which may vary but typically include scholarships, housing options, mentoring, opportunities to study abroad and a host of other perks, which we will discuss later in this article. If you are a high achiever with strong academic ability, attending an honors college can enrich your college experience. Honors colleges often offer smaller class sizes, opportunities to engage and collaborate with other high-performing students, and a chance to expand your research skills.

Why Join an Honors College?

Joining an honors college provides you with new opportunities to build your professional and leadership skills , serve your community, learn from expert faculty members, and receive mentoring and sound advice as you earn your degree. When you graduate, your transcript and diploma will specify that you were an honors college student, which can look great on a résumé.

The specific perks associated with joining an honors college vary among universities, but many offer similar privileges and amenities to honors college students. Below, we highlight some common honors college offerings.

Leadership Opportunities

Honors colleges provide various leadership opportunities that allow you to engage with other honors students and build a sense of community. These opportunities vary, but a few examples include:

• The honor college’s leadership council and council committees
• Orientation guides for incoming first-years
• Peer mentor program
• Honors ambassadors who focus on recruitment
• Cultural engagement programs
• Honors club that organizes community and campus events

Advising and Mentorship

Learning from experienced, knowledgeable mentors is an integral part of the honors college experience. You’ll have access to mentors who can advise you as you determine your career goals, decide on a major, select courses, complete your graduation requirements, plan for additional education, and engage in research or volunteer activities. These mentors may be graduate students, faculty experts, deans, alums or industry leaders.

Scholarships

As an honors student, you may gain access to scholarship opportunities that aren’t available to other learners at your university. Some honors college scholarship programs even provide funds to study abroad. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to full-ride scholarships, which cover all expenses, including tuition and room and board.

Volunteering and Community Engagement

Enrolling in an honors college allows you to build your leadership skills through volunteer and community engagement activities, which are typically required of honors college students. Opportunities may include volunteering at a nonprofit organization, participating in clubs or organizations, attending university events, participating in academic research, or engaging in personal development or leadership activities.

Specialized Courses

Honors courses typically align with your general education requirements or degree requirements for your major or minor. Honors colleges offer specialized courses in various subjects, such as leadership, innovation and leadership. They also encourage discussion, collaboration, and interactions among students and faculty.

Some honors colleges offer opportunities to study abroad. You should also expect to complete a capstone project, which may include research, internships or independent study.

Resources and Perks

As an honors college student, you’ll receive various perks and benefits. These vary quite a bit among universities, however. For example, while some honors colleges offer specialized housing, some smaller ones may not

Common perks of joining an honors college include:

• Early registration for classes
• Exclusive scholarships
• Housing options with other honors college students
• Designated areas for special events, lounging or studying
• Opportunities to study abroad
• Conference participation opportunities
• Options for service learning, internships and research
• Honors graduation with distinction
• Access to specialized advising and honors faculty
• Leadership development

Honors College Admission Requirements

Below are some common honors college admission requirements. Note that admission requirements for honors colleges vary greatly among schools. For example, Some honors colleges don’t require you to submit your SAT or ACT scores as long as your high school GPA meets a minimum threshold. Some don’t require standardized test scores at all, regardless of your GPA.

• Admission to the educational institution
• Minimum high school GPA (3.5 or higher is typical)
• Minimum SAT score (1200 to 1260 is typical) or ACT composite score (26 or higher is typical)
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation

In addition to these requirements, some honors colleges may require you to submit your high school class rank, and some may require advanced coursework, such as advanced placement (AP) courses in high school.

Honors Colleges vs. Honors Programs: Are They Different?

While honors colleges and honors programs both cater to high-achieving, academically inclined students, there are differences between the two.

At many universities, honors programs exist within specific departments. For example, your school’s engineering college or its arts and sciences department may have an internal honors program. These programs offer challenging, high-level courses and projects to participating students. The honors courses in these programs are similar to traditional courses, but more robust and in-depth.

Honors colleges, on the other hand, are separate colleges within the university structure. They take an interdisciplinary approach, which includes offering a rigorous curriculum across a variety of majors. Honors colleges often set requirements and offer amenities that honors programs do not. For example, in many honors colleges, you can live within a community of other honors college students, and you are expected to engage in community service activities.

Is an Honors College Worth It?

Choosing an honors college is worth it if you want to build your leadership skills, increase your civic awareness and study in a collaborative environment with others who are at a similar academic level.

The benefits of attending an honors college can add to its value. While offerings vary, perks may include scholarships, study-abroad opportunities, housing arrangements with other honors college students, community service , and a designation on your transcript or degree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Honors Colleges

Is honors in college worth it.

If you want to earn your degree in a challenging environment while focusing on leadership and civic engagement, an honors college may be worth it. An honors college allows you to learn in a smaller, more interactive community of other honors college students while honing in on career development, leadership skill development or preparation for graduate school .

Is honors a big deal in college?

Having an honors college designation on your résumé shows that you have excellent academic ability, leadership skills and motivation to work hard to achieve your goals. You must meet strict academic requirements, including an above-average high school GPA, to be accepted into an honors college, so this opportunity is not available to all learners. At the end of the day, joining an honors college is what you make of it.

What is an honors program in college?

Specific departments and colleges within a university may offer their own honors program. For example, if you’re a communications major, you may be able to join your liberal arts department’s honors program. Honors program courses are more challenging and provide a deeper learning experience than traditional courses. An honors college differs from an honors program in that it exists separately from other departments and colleges.

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Demystifying Graduate Degrees: Comparing Master’s vs. Doctorate

You want a graduate degree — to continue exploring your passions, make discoveries or advance your career — but how do you turn that decision into a plan?

It starts with understanding the difference between a master’s and a PhD in your field. They differ in length, intensity, curriculum and career paths, so you’ll also need a clear idea of why you want to pursue a graduate degree to determine which one you should get.

What Is a Master’s Degree?

If you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, it might be time to ask, “What’s next?”

That’s where Master’s degrees can come in.

Whether you want to specialize in a particular area or get advanced skills in your profession, a master’s degree can help you get there in 1-2 years.

The most common types of master's degrees include:

• Master of Arts (MA),
• Master of Science (MS),
• Master of Business Administration (MBA),
• Master of Education (MEd),
• and Master of Fine Arts (MFA). 

What do you learn in a master’s program?

The short answer? A lot.

Master’s degree programs are designed to build on the foundational knowledge gained during your undergraduate studies, and the curriculum focuses on advanced knowledge and skills in a particular field.

Here’s what you can expect to encounter in a master’s program:

Advanced coursework:  Master's programs provide advanced courses that build upon the foundational knowledge gained during your undergraduate studies. These courses delve deeper into specific topics within your field and often explore the latest research and developments. 

Specialization:  One of the primary goals of a master's program is to allow you to specialize in a particular area. Whether pursuing a Master of Arts, Master of Science, or a professional degree like an MBA, you can focus your studies on a specific subfield or concentration within your discipline. 

Research and analysis:   Many master's programs require you to engage in research projects and analytical work. This could involve conducting independent research under the guidance of a faculty advisor or participating in group research projects with fellow students. Through these research experiences, you’ll develop critical thinking and analytical skills, learn how to gather and evaluate relevant data and draw meaningful conclusions.

Practical applications and internships:  Some master's programs incorporate practical training opportunities like internships, practicums, or field experiences; hands-on experiences allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real-world settings.

Collaboration and networking:  A Master's program is a rich collaboration and networking environment. Collaborative projects, group discussions, and professional events allow you to exchange ideas and build connections within your field, often leading to long-lasting professional relationships and potential career opportunities.

Thesis project:   Outside of building skills like project management, problem-solving, project management, and effective communication, thesis projects in master's degree programs serve as a cornerstone for building advanced skills, expanding professional networks, and contributing to the body of knowledge in your respective field. 

Why get a master’s degree?

Career advancement: One primary advantage of getting a master’s degree is an edge in the job market. Employers value the specialized knowledge and advanced skills that come with a master’s degree, opening up new and exciting career opportunities.  The cherry on top? Individuals with a master’s degree often earn more than those without an advanced degree — you can take that to the bank, especially if you set yourself up for financial success during your studies. Flexibility: Another aspect to consider is the flexibility that a master’s degree offers. Many programs offer part-time or online options, allowing you to balance your studies with work or other commitments.  This flexibility can be particularly helpful if you’re already established in your career but want to gain additional qualifications.  Growth opportunities: Depending on your field, a master’s degree can be a stepping stone toward a PhD or other doctoral programs. It gives you a solid foundation in research methods and academic rigor — a boon if you want to pursue a career in academia or conduct advanced research.

What is a Doctoral Degree or PhD?

A doctoral degree is a terminal degree — it represents the pinnacle of academic achievement and is the most advanced degree you can attain. Doctoral students want to become authorities in their chosen fields and develop the skills to conduct independent and original research. 

Doctoral programs usually span 3-6 years of full-time study, during which students complete advanced coursework, pass comprehensive examinations, engage in extensive research and ultimately produce a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. 

There are several types of doctoral degrees based on different academic and professional aspirations, including:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD),
• Doctor of Education (EdD),
• And Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), among others. 

What do you learn in a doctoral program?

When you successfully defend your dissertation and complete your degree, you also become an expert in your field — but it doesn’t happen overnight. Here's what you can expect to encounter in a doctoral program:

Advanced research: If you’re looking for a hard emphasis on research, a doctoral program is the place to be. Over several years, PhD students engage in extensive research activities — including conducting independent research, producing scholarly publications, and contributing to the knowledge base of their field through original research contributions.

Theoretical and conceptual frameworks:  PhDs are an incredible opportunity to deepen your understanding of theoretical and conceptual frameworks in your field of study. You'll critically analyze existing theories, evaluate their applicability, and develop your theoretical frameworks to advance knowledge and understanding in your chosen area of research.

Advanced methodological training:  Because a dissertation is an original research project, you’ll gain advanced training in research methodologies and data analysis techniques, like designing robust research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing valid and reliable conclusions from your research findings.

Critical thinking and intellectual independence: Both academia and industry employers highly value independent thinkers and workers. Doctoral programs foster critical thinking and intellectual independence by challenging you to evaluate existing research, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose innovative research ideas. Teaching and Mentoring Experience: Being a teacher or mentor is a great opportunity to share your hard-earned knowledge, and universities agree. Doctoral programs often provide opportunities to teach and mentor undergraduate students, develop effective pedagogical skills, and contribute to the academic community.

Dissertation project:  Your dissertation is the culmination of years of hard work within your field. By enrolling in a doctoral program, you’re also given the chance to participate in a significant and original research endeavor that demonstrates the expertise you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.

Why Get a Doctorate?

Having a doctorate doesn’t just open doors; it can kick them down. A doctorate might be right for you if you’re looking for a door to these things:

Expertise and specialization:  Doctoral degrees can be a labor of love. They help you delve deeper into a specific subject area, gaining expertise and specialization.

Research opportunities:  Extensive research training, opportunities for conducting original research, and contributing new knowledge to the academic community — these three things make a doctorate coveted by students, universities, and employers.

Salary potential and career advancement: In some fields, having a doctorate can lead to higher earning potential and increased salary opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , doctoral degree holders made an average of $1,885 per week in 2020, while master’s degree holders made an average of $1,545 per week.

Contribution to society:  Doctoral research often addresses pressing societal issues, contributing to advancements in technology, healthcare, education, and other areas for the benefit of society — for many students, contributing to the greater good is just as rewarding as career advancement or personal development.

What’s the difference between a dissertation and a thesis?

You might have heard “thesis” and “dissertation” used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Here are the general distinctions to consider:

• A thesis is usually associated with a master's degree program. Students undertake a research project in the final stage of their degree.
• It typically involves conducting original research or analyzing existing research to answer a specific research question.
• The length of a thesis varies based on the field and program requirements, but it’s usually shorter than a dissertation.

Dissertation:

• A dissertation is typically associated with a doctoral degree program. It is an extensive, in-depth research project that marks the culmination of a doctoral program.
• in-depth exploration of a research topic
• comprehensive literature review
• methodology section
• data collection and analysis
• substantive discussion of findings and conclusions.
• Dissertations are usually longer than theses and may take several years to complete.
• Once you’ve completed your dissertation, you participate in a formal defense of the research, where you’ll present your findings to a committee of experts in the field.

Key Differences: Master's vs. PhD

Deciding Between Master's vs. PhD Programs

“Should I get a master’s degree or a PhD?”

Answering that question can be exciting — and a bit intimidating. You must consider long-term career objectives, personal interests, and the time you can commit. Plus, the level of specialization you wish to achieve based on your career path is also a factor. Typically, a PhD is a prerequisite for those aspiring to research careers in academia, while professional roles in various industries may require only a master's degree. 

It’s still worth noting that students have the option of completing a master's degree first and then, based on their experiences and career aspirations, deciding whether to pursue a PhD.

Find the right graduate degree at SMU 

A graduate degree is a big investment, so investing in the right program is important.

SMU offers a diverse array of master's and PhD programs tailored to align with your unique interests and career goals, and personalized support, from the applicant to the graduate, is always available. 

Whether you're interested in pursuing a PhD in Chemistry or are almost finished with your MBA, we can help you find the right advanced degree.

This could just be the beginning of your journey. Get a closer look at applying to graduate programs of your choice with our guide, How to Get a PhD: A Guide to Choosing and Applying to PhD Programs .

Learn More About

Doctoral degrees at SMU, and how you can choose the right program and thrive in it, in our Guide to Getting a PhD.

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What is an honours degree?

May 24, 2023

An honours degree will prepare you for a range of research careers—or set you on a path towards a PhD. Learn more about how this qualification can take you further than a bachelor degree. 

Should you study a straight bachelor degree , or a bachelor with honours? The short answer is: it depends! If you’re keen to head straight into the workforce after your undergrad, then it’s probably not necessary. But if you’re interested in a research heavy role or a career in academia, then an honours degree can be all but essential. 

To help you decide, let’s explore what an honours degree is, exactly, and which industries value graduates with that mysterious ‘Hons’ post-nominal. 

Definite it for me first: What is an honours degree?

An honours degree is an optional fourth year of study you can complete as an extension of your bachelor degree. It’s a chance to deepen your knowledge in your field of interest. 

During an honours year, you work on an independent research project known as a thesis under the mentorship of an academic supervisor. You divide your time between advanced coursework, writing your thesis, and attending regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss your project. 

At the conclusion of the year, you’re awarded first class, second class or third class honours, depending on your final grades. If you graduate with first class honours, it means you're at the top of your class and you achieved outstanding results—which can be vital when applying for a PhD (more on this below). 

What are the biggest differences between an honours degree vs a bachelor degree?

A bachelor degree helps you build foundational knowledge in your field, while an honours degree lets you investigate a niche aspect of that field and develop a unique stance on it. 

You walk away with advanced research, writing and communication skills, which can set you up for success in academia and certain roles within the workplace. 

What are the benefits of an honours degree?

It’s an opportunity to hone your expertise on a topic.

As an honours student, you get to dive deeper into an area you’re passionate about, develop specialist research skills, and share an original piece of work with faculty you admire. That can be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying achievement. Some honours students are even encouraged to present at conferences or submit their thesis to an academic journal, which means their hard work is seen and appreciated by the wider industry. 

It’s a pathway into postgraduate research 

If you have your heart set on a higher degree by research, it’s worth considering an honours year. The 15,000 to 20,000-word thesis you’re required to write will give you a taste for what it’s like to complete a masters by research or a PhD, which both involve even lengthier projects. 

You can apply directly for a PhD and skip your masters if you have at least a second class honours degree, though it’s a competitive process. A first class honours degree will increase your chances of receiving a PhD living stipend scholarship.    

It’s necessary for accreditation in certain fields

An honours degree is viewed as valuable additional training in fields where complex analytical thinking is required, like science, engineering and history. 

In some instances, honours is compulsory to progress in an industry. For example, you need an honours degree (or an equivalent fourth year of undergraduate study) to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia. You also generally need an honours degree if you want to get ahead in economics. The Reserve Bank of Australia and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s graduate programs prefer applicants to have an honours-level qualification. 

How to get an honours degree

There are two ways to get an honours degree: 

• You can apply for a 4-year bachelor degree that incorporates an honours year (which means you don’t need to worry about ‘getting in’ to the honours year)
• You can apply for a 1-year standalone honours degree after completing your bachelor degree  

You generally need strong academic results to be eligible for a standalone honours year. Most universities prefer you to have marks in the 65-75% range during the second and third year of your bachelor degree. There also needs to be an available supervisor in your field of interest, whereas in an embedded honours degree, one will be found for you. 

Can you do honours at a different university?

Yes. You don’t have to complete your honours year with the university where you completed your bachelor degree. 

You can apply for a 1-year standalone honours program with another university if you prefer, though be aware that you will need to meet their entry requirements. 

Many students choose to study honours with their existing university because they already have relationships with the academic staff. But others prefer to widen their network and choose a thesis topic that another university is better equipped to handle. It’s entirely up to you. 

Can you earn an honours degree online? 

Since it’s a research-centric course that involves a lot of uninterrupted downtime, you may benefit more from studying your honours degree online. 

On-campus honours students have to attend some timetabled classes, whereas online students can complete their coursework at times of their choosing. 

As an online student, you can also study with whatever university appeals to you the most, including unis outside of your home state. That gives you more freedom to work with a thesis supervisor you really admire. 

Through Open Universities Australia, you can compare and enrol in select online honours degrees with different universities. See what’s available now.

How to decide if an honours degree is right for you

An honours degree will push you to challenge yourself even more a bachelor degree. If you’re excited by the idea of learning from an experienced mentor, contributing fresh research to your field, and becoming a future subject-matter expert, then it could be a leap worth taking—and we’ll help you do it. 

Reach out to an Open Universities Australia student advisor  to chat about whether honours is right for you. They'll give you unbiased advice on your study choices. 

Or browse online honours degrees available with leading Australian universities.

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On the importance of an "honours degree" for PhD applications

I am currently studying in an undergrad programme in the social sciences/humanities in North America, and I am debating whether I should pursue the honours degree option (which would require me to take additional coursework, choose a concentration, as well as write and present a honours essay). I want to apply to grad schools (MA programmes, but I want to try to apply directly to PhDs as well) when I finish my BA, so I'm wondering what is the impact of the "honours degree" in the application process? Will this improve (significantly?) my chances of receiving an offer? The main reasons why I'm hesitant about the honours degree are (1) that it would cost me more money and (2) that since I've already graduated from a different programme (in a different discipline) this is my second BA and time is starting to be an issue.

• graduate-admissions
• graduate-school
• undergraduate

• Since I'm not an expert in the social sciences and humanities, I won't answer, but I'm very skeptical that that specifically matters; the system for determining things varies so much from school to school that you can't possibly expect graduate committees to know what it means at your institution. In fact "graduating with honors" is so vague, one can't really answer the question without more info. The only possible exception I can think of is if graduating with honors is so impressive at your school that it impresses your letter writers, and they explain this point. –  Ben Webster Commented Mar 19, 2017 at 18:06
• Better with honors instead of no honors. simple –  Rüdiger Commented Mar 20, 2017 at 0:55
• There are universities where having a BX (Hons) alone is insufficient for direct entry to PhD - you'd also need a perfect GPA from a credible institution, and preferably an MX. There are also universities where MX is a half-ass PhD and the programmes are identical except for the title of the degree awarded. You need to check sulabus, requirements and contact the universities you would apply to; we can't do that for you. –  Nij Commented Mar 20, 2017 at 3:52
• 3 @Rüdiger - Can you provide any context for that statement? If so, please put it in an answer instead of a comment... that's what the OP is looking for. –  eykanal Commented Mar 20, 2017 at 15:58
• @Nij What is an MX? Never heard of it before –  Azor Ahai -him- Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 19:12

2 Answers 2

Serving on a doctoral faculty for many years, typically when candidates are evaluated there are specific criteria that first have to be met. So, they will evaluate basic things like your GRE score, GPA, TOEFL score (if applicable). They will also evaluate your writing sample, if required to make sure that you will be able to write at the graduate level (use of references, clarity of writing, etc.).

Other than that, they will evaluate how well you fit with their program. Are you planning to study a topic that is aligned with the work already being done? Do they have an appropriate mentor/advisor to match you with? Do you express a sincere interest in research (our program emphasized research, but we would receive applicants who wanted a PhD and continue working as practitioners in the community. We weeded some of them out if it looked like they would not excel at research).

So, the Honors designation alone won't necessarily put you ahead of other candidates. That being said, if a doctoral program has a limited number of graduate stipends available, they may only accept the most qualified candidates - if the honors program you mention has specific coursework that is in strong alignment with the graduate programs you plan to apply to, then you may want to consider the additional study. However, if you have a strong record of the programs' requirements and write a compelling statement or writing sample, the honors program may not be your best investment. Best of luck!!!!!!

I think the value of an honors degree is much more in the activities required for the "honors" designation rather than the designation itself.

For example, at my undergraduate institution for my field, it was a requirement for honors to write an undergraduate thesis based on research in a lab, and to complete several seminar courses: your institution sounds like it uses similar specifications. Because "honors" means so many different things to different institutions, it is unlikely that a given PhD program will know what your "honors" designation really means; however, they can evaluate your readiness for a PhD based on the work you have done in courses and undergraduate research.

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• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

• A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
• A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

• Computer Science
• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

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Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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• Guide to PhD Entry Requirements
• Applying to a PhD

Although undertaking a PhD can be an exciting challenge, understanding the numerous entry requirements is an important first step. These prerequisites ensure that prospective PhD students like yourself are well-prepared for the academic challenges that await. The entry requirements for STEM disciplines can differ significantly, depending on the specific program, institution, and country of study; this guide explains these requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Diverse Entry Requirements : PhD entry requirements can vary significantly based on the specific STEM programme, and the country or institution in question.
• Academic Qualifications : While a Bachelor’s degree with upper second class honours is a standard requirement, many institutions also place considerable emphasis on a Master’s degree, especially when obtained with Merit or Distinction.
• English Language Proficiency : For non-native speakers, English language qualifications like TOEFL or IELTS scores are crucial. Some institutions offer pre-sessional English programmes for students marginally missing the mark.
• Professional Experience : Non-traditional candidates can often offset their academic qualifications with significant professional experience relevant to the proposed research.
• Visa and Residency : International students must ensure they meet residency requirements, often needing a specific student visa like the Student Route visa in the UK.
• Financial Considerations : Prospective students should be aware of tuition fees and explore potential external funding options to support their PhD journey.
• Holistic Application Process : Apart from academic qualifications, the application process evaluates research proposals, references, and personal statements to gauge a candidate’s potential for research and contributions to academia.

Standard UK PhD Requirements

For doctoral candidates interested in institutions in the United Kingdom, several standard requirements must be met:

• Bachelors Degree : A minimum of an upper second class honours (2.1) is typically required. It indicates not just academic ability, but a strong foundation in the relevant field.
• Masters Degree : While some STEM fields may accept candidates solely based on their undergraduate performance, many institutions highly value a Masters degree. Notably, achieving a grade of Merit or Distinction can significantly strengthen your application, especially a first class honours degree.
• Relevance in Study : A degree in a field relevant to the chosen PhD program is crucial. This ensures that the student has the foundational knowledge vital for doctoral-level research.

International Degree Equivalents

While the UK has specific grading systems and qualification standards, international students with degrees from overseas institutions shouldn’t feel discouraged. Many UK universities and academic departments accept international qualifications that are deemed equivalent:

• Degree Grades : Depending on the country, a degree with grades like ‘Distinction’ or ‘Honours’ might parallel the UK’s 2.1 or First Class honours.
• Evaluation Process : Institutions often utilise recognised international qualification databases or in-house experts to assess the equivalence of overseas qualifications.
• Professional Qualifications : Some candidates may not follow the traditional academic route. In such cases, substantial professional experience in a relevant discipline can potentially offset the need for conventional academic qualifications.

Vital Components for Admission

Achieving the right grades is just one part of the equation. Prospective PhD students are evaluated holistically:

• Research Proposal : This is a window into the applicant’s research aptitude. It should be robust, well-thought-out, and demonstrate a clear research area or subject area of interest.
• Interview Process : Institutions often invite promising candidates for interviews. Here, potential supervisors assess the candidate’s aptitude, enthusiasm, and suitability for PhD projects.
• References : A well-drafted reference letter or academic references from established academicians or professionals in the field can provide invaluable insights into the applicant’s capabilities.

International Students and Residency Requirements

The landscape of global academia thrives on diversity. However, international students have to navigate additional steps:

• Visa Essentials : International students in the UK, for instance, typically require a Student Route visa . The visa mandates full-time study, with confirmation of enrolment secured before the visa application.
• Financial Stability : Prospective PhD students need to demonstrate sufficient financial support, ensuring they can cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other associated costs for the duration of their study.

English Language Proficiency for International Applicants

For international students whose first language isn’t English, proving English language ability is a cornerstone of the application process:

• Testing Platforms : Widely recognised tests such as TOEFL and IELTS are utilised to gauge English language qualifications. For most PhD programmes, IELTS 7.0 overall (with at least 6.5 in each section) or TOEFL scores of 95 overall (no section scoring below 21) are the benchmarks.
• Validity of Test Results : Ensure that your language test results are recent. Institutions typically require that these qualifications be less than 2 years old at the start of the program.
• Exemptions : If a candidate has previously earned a degree in a native English-speaking country, they may be exempted from taking English language tests.
• Pre-sessional English Programs : For those who narrowly miss the minimum entry requirement, many universities offer a Pre-sessional English program. Successfully completing this can pave the way for formal admission into the PhD programme as an alternative means of meeting the English language requirement.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Preliminary Studies and Assessments

Many universities introduce prospective PhD students to a preliminary phase of studies, which stands as a precursor to the main research journey. This phase often doesn’t account for the official registration duration but is essential for assessment. A notable example of such a program is the MRes Programme, offering candidates rigour training in various research methodologies; it’s an excellent bridge for those transitioning from postgraduate studies to a full-fledged research degree . Post preliminary studies, there’s typically an evaluation of the candidate’s academic ability, aptitude for research, and the feasibility of their proposed project. Only after this evaluation’s successful completion does the formal PhD period commence.

Furthermore, the value of these preliminary studies extends beyond mere assessment. They serve as an orientation, acquainting students with the research culture of the institution and fostering essential skills. Not only do these programs help in refining one’s research proposal, but they also offer the chance to build networks with potential supervisors and other researchers. This early immersion can be pivotal in shaping a productive and rewarding PhD experience.

Typical Routes and Professional Experience

In the world of academia, not all roads to a PhD are paved in conventional terms:

• Professional Experience : For those without a traditional academic trajectory, substantial professional experience in the chosen research area can significantly boost one’s application. Professional doctorate programmes often cater to such candidates.
• Research Proposal : Here, more than anywhere else, the research proposal becomes pivotal. It should demonstrate how your professional experience aligns with the proposed research area and how it equips you for the rigorous research project ahead.

Financial Considerations

While intellectual capabilities are undeniably crucial for doctoral admissions, financial considerations also hold significant importance:

• Tuition Fees : The tuition fee structure can vary significantly, especially between domestic and international student classifications. It’s crucial to understand these nuances and prepare accordingly.
• External Funding : Several external funding opportunities, ranging from scholarships to grants, are available. They can significantly alleviate the financial burden of a PhD degree.

Application Process and Final Thoughts

Successfully navigating the application process requires careful planning and a systematic approach:

• Online Application Form : This is often the first official step. Ensure that you furnish accurate details, from your academic qualifications to professional doctorate experiences (if applicable).
• Research Proposal Submission : As highlighted, this document often holds significant weight. It should lucidly outline your research project and its relevance to the broader academic community.
• Visa Requirements : For international students, the visa application is crucial. It often hinges on the offer of admission, proof of sufficient funds, and a clear criminal record.
• Personal Statement : A well-crafted personal statement can provide a personal touch, elucidating your motivation, journey, and aspirations regarding the PhD.

In the pursuit of a PhD, understanding and meeting the entry requirements is your first step. This guide hopefully clarifies these prerequisites, providing a strong foundation for prospective PhD students. Whether you’re fresh out of your undergraduate studies, have completed postgraduate research degrees, or are banking on extensive professional experience, the world of academia calls! Prepare carefully, reach out to potential supervisors, engage with the academic departments, and enjoy the process.

We hope this comprehensive guide has provided clarity and direction for prospective STEM PhD candidates. Remember, each journey is unique – and while guidelines and requirements are essential, passion, determination, and genuine curiosity will remain the main factors of successful PhD students. Best of luck in your academic pursuits!

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• PhD Entry Requirements

Written by Chris Banyard

To study for a PhD, you will need to meet certain entry requirements before the application process.

This is generalised guidance for most PhD programmes – you should check the specific PhD requirements and eligibility criteria for each programme you apply for.

Additionally, there may be certain circumstances in which a special case could be made for an applicant who doesn’t meet the standard PhD requirements. You should discuss this with the potential PhD supervisor or admissions administrator.

Qualifications and academic eligibility

Standard PhD requirements in the UK are a Bachelors degree with at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1). You may also need a Masters degree with a Merit or Distinction grade. All your previous qualifications must be in a field of study relevant to the PhD you are applying for.

Typically, Arts and Humanities PhDs are more likely to require a Masters degree. For Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) PhDs, an undergraduate degree may be sufficient. This depends in the individual degree programme.

What if I have a Masters, but my undergraduate degree is in a different subject or field?

A Masters degree usually supersedes a Bachelors, meaning that the undergraduate degree grade is less significant.

What if I have different qualifications?

International equivalents to these degrees may be accepted – the research institution you apply to will assess their suitability.

Atypical qualifications

A special case may be made if an applicant does not have a typical formal qualification. For example, if you have extensive professional experience in a relevant area, it might make up for a lack of previous academic qualification. However, this is down to the discretion of the PhD supervisor and / or university, and they might ask you to undertake extra study.

Suitability

A research institution will only admit students who they believe will complete the PhD to a high standard and within the time limit. Prospective doctoral researchers should also have a demonstrable interest in the area of study.

This is usually evaluated via the application process. A PhD supervisor will consider aspects of the application to determine whether you show enough competency and dedication for a PhD:

• Research proposal
• PhD interview

In most circumstances, a PhD student will need to be a resident of the country in which the research is being completed at the time of study, or hold a relevant visa.

International students (including EU, EEA and Swiss nationals) require a Student Route visa to study a PhD in the UK.

Similar visa requirements may be needed to study a PhD in other countries. Typically, in order to qualify for a visa for PhD study you will need to:

• Be studying full-time
• Have confirmation of enrolment before applying for a visa
• Have enough monetary support for the full length of study

The documentation you will need depends on your country of study. Always check the specific requirements for each country. Take a look at our international PhD study guide for more information.

If your PhD is not conducted in your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your proficiency. This is usually through a language test such as TOEFL or IELTS .

There may be some exceptions to this, such as if you have already studied an English-language degree in a native English-speaking country, for example.

Can I complete the language proficiency tests later?

Language proficiency tests usually need to be completed before the PhD start date. In some cases, it may be possible to receive an offer of enrolment for a PhD without the language proficiency, but this is normally conditional upon passing the test before the PhD start.

Other graduate entry tests

Some universities may require prospective students to take a graduate entry test in order to be eligible for a PhD. These are more common in the USA , Canada , and Australia for PhD applications.

This may be a general test or a subject-specific one. Also, some tests are more widely accepted than others. You should always check the particular PhD requirements.

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We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Getting ready to apply for a PhD? Our guides explain research proposals, references and entry tests for doctoral programmes.

Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application.

Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

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What are the different types of university degrees?

A simple guide to the degree awards we offer

What's a Bachelor's, HNC, MBA or LLB? Let us help

When you study at university, it’s important to know what type of qualification or degree you’re signing up for.

The course you choose determines the award you graduate with. Sometimes, courses are offered with different awards, depending on how long you want to study and the number of credits you earn.

But how do you separate the LLBs from the HNDs? What do levels and credits mean? What qualification is right for you? What are the different types of university degrees?

Undergraduate study

Bachelor's degree – level 6.

A Bachelor’s, or Honours, degree is the most common type of undergraduate  degree. It’s what most employers mean when they’re looking for an ‘undergraduate’ or ‘first’ degree on a job posting.

You know you’re looking at a Bachelor’s degree when you see titles such as Bachelor of Arts – BA (Hons), Bachelor of Science – BSc (Hons), Bachelor of Engineering – BEng (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws – LLB (Hons).

The (Hons) bit stands for Honours. This generally means you study for 3 years, or 4 if the course is offered with an optional sandwich-placement year. You study 360 credits, including a major project or dissertation in your final year.

Entry requirements vary depending on the course, but you usually need relevant A levels, or equivalent qualifications, or significant work experience in the subject you want to study.

Degree Apprenticeship – Level 6

An undergraduate degree apprenticeship is a Bachelor's degree course, designed to give you skills that will be in high demand in the near future. It's a part-time course that you study alongside your current job, paid for by your employer and the government, so there's no financial cost to you. 

You'll study 360 credits, exactly the same as the standard Bachelor's degree, and do a major work-related project as part of your course. Entry requirements and the length of your study vary, depending on the course you choose, but you will need a current, relevant job and can expect to spend 1 to 5 years on your degree.

Search our degree apprenticeship opportunities . Degree apprenticeships are also available at Master's level .

Graduate Certificate (GradCert) – Level 6

A GradCert is the same level as a Bachelor’s degree, but is more limited in scope, so takes less time to complete.

They're usually available in specific subjects that are work-related, such as psychology, management, counselling or law. A GradCert helps you develop skills and knowledge in a single subject to prepare you for your career.

A GradCert typically takes 1 year to complete, part-time.

Integrated Master's degree – Level 7

If you want to become a specialist in your subject, and know you want to study to Master's level, doing an Integrated Master's degree helps you achieve your ambition.

It takes 4 years to complete, or 5 with an optional placement year, and combines an undergraduate degree with a postgraduate year. You graduate with a Master's qualification, such as MSc, MEng, MOpthom or MMath.

Top-up degree – Level 6

If you have a level 5 qualification such an HND, a foundation degree, or successful completion of 2 years of degree study you can take a top-up degree course to build on this study and get a full honours degree (level 6).

Top-up degrees are shorter; they're normally completed in just 1 year, but can take anything between 1 and 2 years depending on your starting point and whether you're studying full or part-time.

Some of our top-up degrees (those in business communications) are specifically for students whose first language isn't English.

If you have a lower qualification but you have extensive work experience in a relevant sector we may sometimes consider this for a top-up degree. 

Foundation degree – Level 5

If you're already working and want to boost your skills to take on more ambitious roles, a Foundation degree , or FdA, is a great way to earn while you learn. Foundation degrees were created to help bridge the gap between college and university, and bring more people from vocational routes into higher education.

FdAs are Level 5, so sit just below a Bachelor's degree, but once you complete a Foundation degree, you'll be able to ‘top-up’ to a full Honours degree with extra study when you're ready.

Entry requirements vary depending on the subject. You might need qualifications such as A levels, or industry experience. Admission is usually assessed on an individual basis, to make sure you've got the required background knowledge and skills you need to complete the course.

Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) – Level 4 and 5

Studying an HNC or HND can give you the theory and skills you need to succeed in your current or future job. A Higher National Certificate or Diploma is ideal whether you want to launch straight into your dream career, or jump-start further study by joining a degree programme mid-way through.

HNCs generally take a year to complete, and are equivalent to the first year of study of an Honours degree. HNDs take 2 years and are equivalent to the first 2 years of an Honours degree.

Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) – Level 4 and 5

A CertHE or DipHE is a stand-alone qualification that's usually awarded if you don't want to commit to a full degree. You get a CertHE for 1 year of full-time study, worth 120 credits, and a DipHE for 2 years of full-time study, worth 240 credits.

A CertHE or DipHE might be useful for getting a job, depending on the profession, as they're equivalent to other qualifications. For example, a DipHE in Business and Management is comparable to an NVQ 4 Diploma in Business and Administration.

You can use a CertHE or DipHE as a stepping stone to a full degree, and you might be able to skip 1 or 2 years of a degree course. You still need to make sure you meet the entry requirements of the course you're interested in, and find out whether your previous studies are transferable.

Certificate of Education (CertEd) – Level 4

If you want to pursue a career as a teacher in further education or training, then you need a CertEd . It opens the door to teaching roles in colleges, sixth-forms, private training providers, public services and voluntary organisations. You can also top up your certificate to a BA (Hons) Education and Training degree with further study.

You need a level 3 qualification in your subject, such as A-Levels to get onto a CertEd course. It generally takes 1 year of full-time study, or 2 years part-time through our partner colleges.

Postgraduate study

Most of the time, if you’re looking to take your undergraduate studies to postgraduate  level, you’ll come across information on taught Master’s degrees and PhDs . But there are lots of other postgraduate options to suit your time commitments and ambitions.

These are the different types of taught Postgraduate degrees, qualifications and awards. Our research degrees section  explains the different types of research degrees you can do with us.

Master’s degree – Level 7

A Master’s is the most popular postgraduate qualification. Master’s degrees come with titles such as Master of Arts – MA, Master of Science – MSc, Master of Engineering – MEng, Master of Research – MRes and Master of Laws – LLM.

If you’ve got a Bachelor’s degree and want to continue your studies, a Master’s degree is the logical next step. Pursue a Master’s degree to enhance your skills and employability and to become an expert in your subject. It can also lead to further study, such as a PhD.

Generally, Master’s degrees take 1 to 2 years to complete. You need to produce an in-depth research or major project, totalling 180 credits. To qualify for a Master’s degree, you normally need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Level 7

An MBA is an internationally-recognised degree that develops skills for careers in business and management. It can also be used to open doors for a managerial career in other areas, such as the public sector, government, and private industry.

Earning an MBA can help professionals take on ambitious new roles, boost their salary expectations or provide the knowledge and skills necessary to start their own business.

To enrol on an MBA course, you usually need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. Typically, an MBA programme takes a year to complete, or 2 years if you choose to study part-time.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Level 7

A PGCE  offers enhanced academic training to prepare you for a career in teaching. It usually takes 1 year to complete full-time, or 2 years part-time.

It combines theory and learning, with work experience, meaning you spend a good portion of your time in one of our partner schools, putting your teaching skills to work.

To enrol on a PGCE course, you need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, with entry requirements varying depending on the subject you want to teach.

Degree Apprenticeship – Level 7

A postgraduate degree apprenticeship is designed to give you Master's level skills in high demand areas. You'll study part-time, alongside your current job, gaining 180 level 7 credits over 2-3 years. The course is funded by your employer and the government, so there's no financial cost to you. 

Entry requirements will vary, depending on the course you choose, but you will need a current, relevant job and a relevant first degree, or equivalent.

Search our degree apprenticeship opportunities . Degree apprenticeships are also available at undergraduate level .

Postgraduate top-up degree – Level 7

If you have a PG diploma or equivalent Level 7 qualification (see below) you can use a postgraduate top-up degree to build on this study and get a full Master's. 

Top-up degrees are shorter; they're normally completed in just 1 year, but can take anything between 6 months and 2 years depending on your starting point and whether you're studying full or part-time. 

If you have a lower level qualification, but extensive work experience in a relevant sector we may take this into account when you apply for a top-up degree. 

Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) – Level 7

Shorter than a Master’s degree, but at the same level, a PgDip or PgCert is ideal if you want to take your undergraduate studies further, but don’t want to commit to something as intensive as a Master’s degree.

Many postgraduate diplomas and certificates are vocational, so if you have a career goal in mind and need a qualification to give you the edge, they’re the right choice for you. As these courses are shorter than Master’s degrees, they’re easier to fit around your current job.

A PgDip is worth 120 credits, and the shorter version, a PgCert, is worth 60. While they can be studied on their own, a PgCert can lead to a PgDip, which can lead to a full Master’s course. This means you can study to the level you want, with the option to continue your studies to the next stage.

You’ll see different awards on some of our postgraduate course pages, indicating you can study the course to various levels, for example: Educational Leadership and Management MSc/PgDip/PgCert.

You usually need a Bachelor’s degree to enrol on a PgDip or PgCert course, or an equivalent qualification. If you don’t have an undergraduate degree, but you do have relevant work experience, you might have the necessary skills and knowledge needed for postgraduate study. You’d need to discuss your eligibility with the admissions team for the course you’re interested in.

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Outstanding teaching

Psychology Honors Program

The Honors Program in Psychology is designed for Psychology majors who wish to pursue a full year of intensive supervised independent research during their senior year. Students in the program will acquire a broad background in psychology as well as a deep background in their chosen area. You can find out more about the program in this short video here .

Program Overview

Fall Quarter is devoted to learning new research skills, developing your career, and to getting started on your research project. We will meet twice a week during the quarter. The seminar will include guest presentations about resources at Stanford; panel discussions with current graduate students about how to apply for lab manager positions, graduate fellowships, and graduate school. The sessions on research skills cover a range of topics including project management with Github, statistical analysis in RStudio, and tools for academic writing. Students give a presentation about their research, write a grant project proposal at the end of quarter, and provide peer feedback.

Winter Quarter is devoted to learning more about each other's research through reading and discussion. We will meet once a week during that quarter. Each student will select one paper for the class to read that's particularly relevant for their research, and lead the discussion of that paper in class. Students will share reaction posts based on their reading, write a literature review at the end of the quarter (which will serve as the introduction for their thesis), and provide peer feedback.

Spring Quarter is devoted to finishing up and presenting your research. We will meet twice a week during that quarter. Students will provide updates on their projects, and we will spend time together writing the thesis. Students provide peer feedback on thesis writing throughout the quarter. We will discuss how to effectively present one's work in poster presentations, oral presentations (including a short elevator pitch), and in written form. At the end of the quarter, students will submit a short video recording of their research (elevator pitch), present their work as a poster during the psychology colloquium, and submit their written honors thesis.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will graduate with Departmental Honors.

All Honors students must have a research advisor. Honors students must be supervised by a Psychology faculty member. Any honors research supervised by faculty outside of the Psychology Department may be accepted with a Psychology faculty co-advisor or must first be approved by the Honors Faculty Director.

Honors Program Requirements

Students who graduate with Honors in Psychology will have completed the following by the end of their final year at Stanford:

• All regular major requirements
• Psych 198 (Senior Honors Research) Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters
• Completion of the Honors Thesis
• Presentation at the Honors Convention

How to Apply

Students may apply to the program in their junior year. Admission to the program is based on academic performance, previous research experience, and faculty or graduate student recommendations. Applicants will be notified of acceptance during the spring quarter prior to senior year.

Applicants will need the following materials:

• Honors Application, due April 15, 2024 .
• An unofficial transcript that includes your Winter 2023-2024 grades.
• A brief summary of your research idea/project (1-2 pages max).
• One must be from a Stanford Psychology faculty member who will be your Honors Advisor.
• The second letter can be from anyone who has knowledge of your academic work or research experience.
• Recommenders should email their letters to asims [at] stanford.edu (asims[at]stanford[dot]edu) .

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - what do they all mean?

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD (and more) are abbreviations of British degrees.

They reflect the specific level and discipline of a qualification achieved at university.

While most courses are conducted on a full-time basis, there are options for part-time, distance learning and other flexible learning arrangements.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most common qualifications and ones that Aberystwyth University offers.

• BA = Bachelor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• BSc = Bachelor of Sciences;
• BENG = Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Robotics and Physics);
• LLB = Bachelor of Law.

Achieved after 3 to 4 years of study. The extra year (for a 4 year course) can be from a year studying abroad or a year working in industry.

Integrated-Masters:

• MARTS = Masters of Arts;
• MBIOL = Masters of Biology;
• MCOMP = Masters of Computer Science;
• MENG = Masters of Engineering;
• MMATH = Masters of Mathematics;
• MPHYS = Masters of Physics;
• MSCI = Masters of Sciences and Humanities.

4 years course (3-year Bachelors, 1 year Masters) that enables you to secure a loan for the full duration rather than having to fund a Masters degree separately.

• MA = Masters of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• MSc = Masters of Sciences;
• MBA = Masters of Business Administration;
• MPhil = Masters of Philosophy: Advanced research Masters degree;
• MRes = Masters of Research: Contains some taught and research elements;
• LLM = Masters of Law.

Achieved after graduation from Bachelors level, usually 1-2 years duration.

• PhD = Doctor of Philosophy: for a range of disciplines.

Achieved after graduating from Masters level, usually 3-8 years duration.

A wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Further-Research courses – across the Arts and Sciences – are available at Aberystwyth.

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What is an honour’s degree?

We explain what an honour’s degree means and exactly what it is. We cover graduating with honours, the differences between degree types and how an honour’s degree is graded.

When investigating your study abroad options you would have become more aware of the types of qualifications that are available to study. From diplomas and certificates to associate degrees and PhDs , there are quite a few choices. Perhaps what may be less clear is exactly what they are and what they mean. We’ve got you covered on this front and in this article we place honour’s degrees under the microscope. We take a look at what an honour’s degree means, what it is, how it's different from a bachelor’s degree, and how it might be graded or classified. 

What does an honour’s degree mean?

It’s important to consider that the definition of an honour’s degree may differ depending on the country you’re studying in, however, there is consensus as to what the qualification means. An honour’s degree refers to an undergraduate degree that has an additional level of study, which is designed at a higher standard than that of a  general bachelor’s degree . The degree is a demonstration of a higher level of achievement and education at the undergraduate level. 

Universities usually offer either a degree with honours or an honour’s degree as a separate qualification from a three-year undergraduate qualification. In the case of the latter, this usually takes an additional year to complete. Countries that offer honour’s degrees as a separate year of study include:

• New Zealand
• Ireland  
• South Africa
• United States

Countries where an undergraduate degree is offered inclusive of the honour’s designation, depending on a student’s level of achievement, are:

• England, Wales and Northern Ireland  
• Hong Kong  
• Malaysia  

What does a degree with honours mean?

A degree with honours is awarded to you if you have completed your undergraduate qualification to the required standard and achieved well academically. A degree with honours does not indicate a particular grade achievement, but there are usually criteria attached to it being awarded, such as the maintenance of certain academic achievement and grades. Remember that a degree with honours is not awarded in all countries and only in those where the designation is offered as part of the degree. Always check this with your desired institution. 

If you do receive a degree with honours, you may be assessed based on the  UK undergraduate grading system . The possible levels of achievement are as shown in the table below:

Find out a bit more about what it’s like to  study in the UK .

What is the difference between an honour’s degree and a bachelor’s degree?

The major difference between a bachelor’s degree and an honour’s degree is the undergraduate academic level at which you study. Remember that some bachelor’s degrees are offered with or without honours and you will have to take a step up to achieve the honours qualification. In some countries, this means applying for an honour’s degree programme and studying this as a separate degree. You will therefore have both a bachelor’s degree and an honour’s degree, which is different to the aforementioned degree with honours. 

Telling the difference between the degrees when you are researching your options can be as simple as looking for the difference in the abbreviation for the qualification. For example, an ordinary Bachelor of Arts degree is usually assigned the abbreviation BA whereas a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours will use BA (Hons) or in the case of a BSc or BSc (Hons). 

You are also able to apply for what is known as a single honours undergraduate degree where you select a subject of specialisation to concentrate on. These often provide you with an integrated and complementary curriculum, as opposed to studying individual subjects individually. 

Find out why so many international students choose the  USA as a study abroad destination . 

How is an honour’s degree graded and classified?

The classification of an honour’s degree depends significantly on where you study. In the UK there is a designation based on the achievement of certain grades and associated percentages within your degree. If your study in the USA or  Canada this will be done based on your GPA score, which also has an associated percentage or letter grade score. 

If you are studying in a country where an honour’s degree is a separate qualification you will usually need to have achieved a minimum of a 70 per cent pass or a B+ to be accepted into an honour’s degree programme. The competition for places, especially for certain subjects can be quite lively so making sure you keep your grades up is important.

Using the international grading system can give you a good indication of how an honour's degree is marked and graded. 

Find out what makes Canada unique  for international students. 

What types of honour’s degrees are there?

This may at first appear to be a trick question as it could refer to both the grading received for an undergraduate degree if study in the UK or to the subject specialisations and curriculum for an honour’s degree, both in the UK and other countries. There are few kinds of degrees with honours on offer including:

• Joint or combined honour’s degree (studying multiple subjects individually at undergraduate level). 
• Single honours degree (an undergraduate subject specialisation focusing on one subject)
• Degree with an honours project (a thesis, project or assignment required for a pass with honours).
• Four-year degree with honours (undergraduate degree study that increases in academic level per year)

Discover more about combined honour's degrees at the University of Exeter

If you are studying in a country where an honour’s degree is a separate qualification, which may also be classed as a  professional degree , you may study in one of the following areas:

• Bachelor of Arts Honours
• Bachelor of  Social Science  Honours 
• Bachelor of Science Honours 
• Bachelor of  Commerce  Honours 
• Bachelor of  Engineering  Honours 

You can find more about the different types of degrees you could study at university including  vocational degrees ,  associate degrees , and  master’s degrees . We also have some good advice on how to successfully select a degree that will suit you. 

Why study law: Top 10 benefits of becoming a lawyer

What do Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Barack Obama and Mahatma Gandhi have in common? Interestingly, they are world leaders who studied law. One of the oldest academic fields in the world, a law degree is a highly regarded qualification and promises great career opportunities.   For some, to study law is to uphold justice, a noble call that is most commendable (and the world needs more of them); nevertheless, law is not just for lawyers or in the

What is a pre-masters course?

If you have had your eye on studying a postgraduate qualification, and particularly a master’s degree you would have encountered pre-master’s programmes in your research. Sometimes it’s not always easy to understand the differences between the qualifications and courses on offer and why you would apply or enrol for a pre-master’s programme. We take a closer look at pre-master’s courses and programmes, demystifying the details.     What is a

MA vs MSc: What is the best choice?

If you’ve been considering studying for a master’s degree, you would likely have come across a few different options. This can initially seem confusing. You may think that the degrees are pretty much the same. However, there are some key differences between two of the most popular master’s qualifications, namely an MA and an MSc. In this article, we explain what these degrees are, what it takes to study them and what careers they can lead to.    

What course should I take at university?

Feeling lost about which university course you should choose for your study abroad journey? We feel you. Picking the wrong course can be costly and time-consuming if you end up having to switch, so it's crucial to weigh your options carefully to ensure you don't regret your decision.   To give you a hand in selecting a subject that's right for you, we have compiled a list of factors to consider, coupled with insights from our experts. Read

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Can you do a PhD without honours?

Study tips Published 24 Jun, 2024  ·  3-minute read

Wondering if your academic experience qualifies you for a Doctor of Philosophy? Here’s a guide to help you determine which pathway to a PhD is right for you – with or without an honours degree.

Some people know immediately that they love research. For them, studying an honours degree is an obvious choice, because it provides the most straightforward path to eventually completing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

But what about those of us who discover our passion for research later? What if you've already finished a bachelor’s degree that didn’t have an honours year built into it?

Well, don't give up on your research dreams too quickly. You may be able to complete a 1-year honours degree as an extension of your bachelor’s degree. For example, UQ offers standalone honours degrees to complement almost all of our undergraduate study areas – from communication and commerce to midwifery and mathematics.

And a standalone honours year isn’t your only way forward, either. Because you can do a PhD without completing an honours degree. In fact, having an honours degree on your transcript is only one of multiple pathways available.

Let’s explore all your options for getting PhD-ready.

PhD pathway #1: bachelor’s degree with honours or a standalone honours degree

If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree with built-in honours by research* or a standalone honours degree, and you achieved first class or second class (division A) honours or higher, most universities will consider you for their PhD program. This is because an honours degree provides the research experience to prepare you for what’s in store.

*If your bachelor’s degree included an honours year, this will only help qualify you for a PhD program if the honours component was a research project.

At UQ, you’ll need your honours to be in an area related to your proposed PhD topic , and you’ll need to have completed it within the last 10 years.

PhD pathway #2: master’s degree

You could be eligible for a PhD program if you’ve completed a research master’s degree (typically a Master of Philosophy ) or a coursework master’s degree* with a relevant research component. Just like with an honours degree, your master’s degree will need to be relevant to your PhD topic and completed no more than 10 years ago.

*At UQ, you’ll need to have maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 5.65 or higher in your coursework master’s degree to be considered for a PhD.

PhD pathway #3: research experience

Whether you can do a PhD without having completed an honours degree or a master’s degree ultimately comes down to demonstrating your ‘research preparedness’.

You may be considered for a PhD if you can provide evidence of considerable research experience (at least 2 years). This proof should demonstrate that you’re capable of planning and executing a body of research with some independence. Examples include:

• substantial contributions to scholarly papers in recognised academic journals
• significant contributions to research or technical reports for industry, government or business (the reports must adhere to academic publishing conventions)
• a portfolio of published creative work alongside critical, scholarly discussion of that work
• industry or work experience in which you’ve planned and executed a research project with a high level of independence.

Even with demonstrated research experience, you’ll also need an approved degree, such as a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate diploma.

 Learn more about UQ’s PhD entry requirements

Which PhD pathway is best?

There really isn’t a ‘best’ path to getting into a PhD program. It just depends on what stage of your academic journey you’re at when you realise you'd like to pursue a higher degree by research.

The factor that all pathways have in common is that you need demonstrated experience in conducting research. Because a PhD isn’t suited to someone learning the ropes and testing the waters – it's for proven scholars who have already discovered their passion for research.

Thinking about applying for a PhD soon? Want some tips for finding a supervisor or writing your proposal? Explore all aspects of starting your research degree in our comprehensive guide: How to get a PhD .

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What is a Degree With Honours in the UK?

In University by Think Student Editor October 23, 2022 2 Comments

When starting the process of applying to university, there are so many things to consider. You’ll have to think about which course to take, your required entry grades and writing a personal statement. When researching courses, you might also want to take a look at whether it is “with honours” or not. There is a difference between regular and honours degrees, which is important to understand so that you can apply to a course suited to you.

A degree with honours is a slightly more difficult version of a regular bachelor’s degree. Most courses in the UK are honours degrees, meaning you will need higher marks in order to achieve the same results. Usually, they contain the same content as other degrees but with more of an insight into the links between theory and real-life situations.

For more information about what an honours degree is, the different categories of honours degree and the differences between a regular and honours degree, keep reading.

Table of Contents

What is an honours degree?

In the UK, an honours degree is an undergraduate degree which includes a more rigorous learning programme. This can vary from country to country, but an honours degree always takes more work and requires higher marks than a regular bachelor’s degree. Keep reading for more details about honours degrees in the UK.

An honours degree can take different amounts of time depending on where you are. In Scotland, in order to receive the honours title, you must complete an entire extra year of study. However, in the rest of the UK, an honours degree takes the same amount of time but includes more research-orientated study.

With this in mind, across the UK, a bachelor’s degree can either take three or four years, depending on where it is you live and study . However, most degree courses in the UK are honours degrees anyway.

You do not need any pre-requisites to be able to take an honours degree. As long as you have the requirements for a regular bachelor’s degree course, you will be able to take the degree with honours if you wish. For this reason, you will not need to worry about whether you have the right grades or not because they are the same requirements either way.

Have a look at this Think Student article to see more about honours degrees as well as the other classifications of degree.

What does “with honours” mean?

When choosing a degree course, it can sometimes be difficult to work out whether the course is an honours degree or not. When looking at either the university website or their prospectus, you will notice that some degrees say, “with honours”. What this means is that the course is an honours degree.

If it is a single subject degree, it may say either BA(Hons) or BSc(Hons), which means with honours. Some courses are joint honours, which means students study two subjects at the same time. This Think Student article discusses whether joint honours degrees are more worthwhile than regular degrees.

What is a joint honours degree?

A joint honours degree combines two subjects of equal weightings. It is studied in the same amount of time as a single subject bachelor’s degree. Although it may seem as though this would be far too much work, the course does not go into as much detail with each subject. This means the same amount of content is covered as a regular bachelor’s degree.

In order to monitor the amount of content each student is studying, each module is made up of credits denoting the workload. As a student, you must study an exact number of credits each year, that number being 120 at all UK universities.

This number is made up of either just compulsory, or both compulsory and optional modules, depending on what you’re studying. For more information about how many credits must be studied each year, read this Open University article.

What’s the difference between a degree and a degree with honours?

As most UK degrees are automatically with honours, it is quite rare to find regular bachelor’s degrees. The major difference between honours and non-honours degrees is that a regular degree contains less professionally oriented content. In other words, it is pure theory, whereas an honours degree works to show the links between the degree content and real-life workplace situations.

Some students start their degree as honours students but end up with a regular degree. This is because another difference between the two is that you need higher marks to obtain an honours degree.

The final results of a degree are split into four different categories. Top marks will earn you a first honours, whilst the subsequent outcomes are a high second (2:1), a low second (2:2) and a third. This Think Student article looks at the university grading system in more detail.

However, if you achieve a lower number of marks than is required for a third, you will automatically be awarded a regular degree as opposed to a degree with honours. This Think Student article goes into more detail about what a first degree with honours actually is.

One is required to study modules with 360 credits but is one required to obtain 360 credits. Is the extra work required for an hons degree sufficient if get less than 120 in fist year?

more difficult version of a *normal bachelor’s degree

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre, difference between honours and postgraduate diploma.

In some specialisations there is the option to undertake postgraduate study in either a postgraduate diploma or an Honours degree. Both are 120 point, one year full-time study, programmes that can lead to masters study depending on your grades. There is usually significant overlap in the schedule of courses available, which means that Honours and postgraduate diploma students will attend the same classes.  

Important differences to note are:

• Honours degrees typically have a higher grade requirement for entry.  
• Honours degrees often have a compulsory research component in the form of a dissertation.  
• Upon completion, Honours degrees may provide direct entry to PhD study.
• Postgraduate diplomas can be completed part-time over four years, while Honours degrees must be completed within two years.
• Honours degrees are awarded with a class of honours; postgraduate diplomas may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

This information is offered as a general guide only. It is important to familiarise yourself with the specific regulations and structure and content of each of the programmes you are interested in to ensure you choose the option that best suits your goals.  

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Should I do an honours degree?

An honours year offers many advantages for a student. Here we answer some frequently asked questions about honours degrees and look at what an honours year might mean for you.

At some point during high school or during your studies, you’ll hear some of your classmates saying they’re going to do a double degree, or an honours degree, and you may wonder what they mean and whether you should do one too. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s an ‘honours’ degree?

‘Honours’ does sound grandiose, and that’s because the honours degree system began in Britain during the Edwardian era. The system was designed to separate bachelor degree graduates into categories of academic achievement – being first class, second class and third class honours.

What’s the difference between a bachelor degree and an honours degree in Australia?

In Australia, an honours degree is a higher standard of tertiary qualification than a bachelor degree. It shows that you’ve stepped up your level of academic knowledge. It usually involves an additional year of study (an ‘appended’ honours degree) and has a research component.

Technically speaking, a ‘Bachelor Degree’ is a Level 7 qualification of the 10-level Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and a ‘Bachelor Honours Degree’ is a Level 8 – the same level as the postgraduate qualifications, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma.

The AQF states that the aim of an honours degree is to “qualify individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a specific context to undertake professional work and as a pathway for research and further learning”. So, the key word is ‘research’.

Does Curtin University offer honours degrees?

At Curtin, we offer honours degree courses across our 10 study areas: Agriculture, environment and sustainability; Architecture and construction; Arts and creative industries; Business, innovation, management and law; Culture, society and Indigenous; Education; Engineering, mining and surveying; Health; Information technology; and Science and Physical Sciences, geosciences and mathematics.

Most of our bachelor degree courses will take three years, or six semesters, to complete if you study full-time. Completing an honours degree usually means an extra two semesters of study.

Why are some standard Curtin University degrees called ‘honours’ degrees?

Some of our courses take longer than three years of full-time study to complete. Due to the extra volume of knowledge and study required, and the research component, they’re designated as honours degrees. Sometimes, courses with ’embedded’ honours are fulfilling accreditation requirements by external professional organisations.

Curtin honours degree courses that take four years of full-time study to complete include our range of Advanced Science courses and Interior Architecture, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology and Surveying courses.

Our range of 10 Engineering courses are also four-year, honours degree courses, most of which are accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised internationally by the by the international engineering signatories to the Washington Accord. Not all engineering courses in Australia are honours courses – TAFE engineering courses, for example, don’t have an honours option, but students who have a TAFE engineering qualification may be eligible to enrol in a Curtin Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) course.

What is a double degree?

Instead of doing a single degree, such as Environmental Biology, you might choose to study for two degrees at the same time – say, Environmental Biology and International Relations – that will give you unique skill sets for your particular career goals. Or, a double degree like Mechatronic Engineering and Computer Science can give you more career choices in overlapping fields, with the flexibility to adapt to changing job trends.

What happens in an honours year?

You’ll increase your academic knowledge in your discipline or field in two ways: by exploring more about your field, and by undertaking a meaningful research project and writing a thesis on your topic under the supervision of a Curtin research academic.

Any discipline is suitable for research, which generally begins with an honours degree, but there are some fields that students study in because they want to be researchers and contribute to advances in knowledge in that field.

For example, in her honours year, Curtin graduate Ashleigh Angus explored the testimonies of 17th century accused witches in Scotland – fascinating!

Kyran Brooks completed an honours year at the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) at Curtin, focusing on the management of a particular fungal disease that damages canola crops. During his honours project, Kyran used state-of-the-art technology, and worked alongside some of Australia’s leading agricultural pathologists.

What will I gain from an honours degree?

Of course, you’ll have gained a lot more knowledge about your field – which can set you apart from other applicants competing for lucrative professional roles. You’ll have also demonstrated that you can perform research – completing a research project demonstrates to potential employers that you can work independently, and plan and carry out a complex investigative task within a defined period.

But the benefits are many and varied. Ashleigh said that her honours degree taught her how to research and construct an argument in a short period of time.

“Throughout my honours year I also learnt how to answer a single research question in two ways: through a miniature thesis and a creative project,” she explained.

Kyran said that his honours year at the CCDM provided him with the skills to understand scientific methods in-depth “and to think critically about how new research by scientific organisations, such as the CCDM, can be included into everyday farming practises to improve the sustainability of agriculture.”

Jefferson Allan is another CCDM honours graduate, and he believes that if you’re interested in research or aren’t exactly sure what you want to do, then an honours project is a great way to gain practical experience and try something new.

“I think it sets you up pretty well for all kinds of work, as it teaches you to be more independent,” he said.

What does ‘first class honours’ mean?

‘First Class Honours’ is the highest of the four honours classifications – in Australia, it means that a graduate achieved a result of 85–100%.

What’s the difference between an honours degree and a masters degree?

An honours degree is the first tertiary qualification with a research component. After gaining an honours degree, you might want to continue your research path and study for a Masters Degree in Research (AQF Level 9) followed by a Doctoral Degree (AQF Level 10).

Can you do a masters without an honours degree?

Yes, but usually not the research masters degree. There are three different types of masters degrees – one is a research masters degree and the other two are coursework-based qualifications.

How do I apply for an honours degree?

If you’re a high-performing Curtin student, about halfway through your third year you’re likely to be invited to join an honours program. If you accept, you’ll continue with your studies past third year to gain an honours qualification.

If you’re excited by new knowledge and can see yourself as a researcher, you could be destined for a doctoral degree, starting with an honours degree!

To find out more about honours degrees at Curtin, visit curtin.edu.au/study/honours .

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How to List Academic Honors on Your Resume With Examples

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What are Latin honors?

When to include latin honors on your resume, how to include latin honors on your resume, examples of how to list academic honors on a resume, tips for including academic honors on a resume.

Graduating with honors is an impressive accomplishment, and it’s certainly one you should highlight on your resume as a recent graduate. However, many graduates are unsure if, when and how they should list Latin honors and other academic achievements on their resume. In this article, you’ll find resume tips and examples for graduates who have earned the distinction of cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.

 Here are the three levels of distinction for academic degrees used by high schools, colleges and universities:

• Summa cum laude, meaning ‘with the highest distinction’
• Magna cum laude, meaning ‘with great distinction’
• Cum laude, meaning ‘with distinction’

If you graduated with honors, your resume should highlight this academic achievement. These details won’t take up much space, and they will help demonstrate your commitment to excellence.

The fact that you graduated with honors matters more when you are first entering the job market as a student or recent graduate. At this stage, you may not have much professional experience to list on your resume, so mentioning that you graduated with honors will help show employers that you are highly motivated, intelligent and hardworking. Once you have gained more experience, your academic performance becomes less important. Some employers will care about your GPA and honors, while others will not. Either way, it’s a good idea to include them on your resume. At best, they will weigh in your favor, and at worst, they’ll simply be ignored. 

Follow these steps when listing Latin honors on your resume:

1. Firstly, place them in the education section

If you graduated with honors, you should include that detail in the education section of your resume. Do this even if your resume has a section for honors and awards. Your Latin honors should be listed under the relevant degree so that it is obvious when and where you earned them. This is especially important if you have multiple degrees listed in your education section. You don’t want to mislead employers in any way. For instance, if you have completed both an undergraduate and graduate degree, it should be clear which degree the Latin honors are associated with.

2. Secondly, decide how to format your education section

One formatting style would be to keep the section simple by listing each institution and the dates you attended, followed by basic information about your degree. This should include the type of degree you earned, your major, your GPA and your honors. In this format, your honors should be listed directly after your major, separated by a comma. You can include your GPA in parentheses after the Latin honors.

Another formatting style is to expand your education section by listing your academic activities and honors after each degree. You may prefer this format if you participated in several extracurricular activities and received multiple honors. In this format, under each institution you attended, you should list your degree, honors, major and graduation date. Below that information, you should include two subsections—one for activities and one for honors. Your Latin honors should be included in the honors section.

3. Lastly, italicize the names of Latin honors

Since cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude are Latin phrases, you should use italics when listing these honors. These phrases should also be lowercase. You may find some examples and style guides that do not require you to italicize Latin honors, but using italics is the safer option. Plus, italics will help these words stand out.

If your school uses English instead of Latin phrases, the rules are different. English honors should not be italicized, and they should be capitalized. English honors are typically listed as with Honors, with High Honors or with Highest Honors. The word ‘Distinction’ may be used instead of ‘Honors.’ Always use the exact wording adopted by your university.

Here are a few examples of how to list academic honors on a resume:

Examples with an expanded education section

The format of these two examples allows you to list your academic activities and honors beneath your degree. The UNC example includes the student’s honors directly before the major and uses the school’s English phrases. The WVU example lists the student’s Latin honors and GPA in the honors subsection.

The University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC

B.S. with Highest Distinction in Accounting, May 2015

• Minor in business administration
• Phi Beta Kappa

Activities:

• Policy Debate Team
• University Democrats

West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV

Bachelor of Arts in English, August 2016

• Magna cum laude  (3.7 GPA)
• Professional writing and editing concentration
• Sigma Tau Delta
• The Daily Athenaeum,   editor
• Eberly Writing Studio, tutor

Examples with a simplified education section

If you would rather include honors and activities in a separate section, you can trim down your education section. 

• The University of Texas at Austin | May 2013

B.S. in Public Policy, graduated with High Honors (3.8 GPA)

• West Virginia University | December 2016

B.S. in Animal and Nutritional Science, summa cum laude

• The University of North Carolina | August 2015

B.A. with Distinction in Anthropology

Here are a few more tips for people who graduated with honors:

Including your GPA is not necessary, but it can be helpful

Graduating with honors implies a high GPA. However, not all schools use the same standards. Some employers prefer to see your exact GPA. Including your GPA can be especially helpful if you achieved a 4.0 or if your GPA was higher than the minimum to graduate with honors.

You do not need to mention Dean’s List

Making the Dean’s List is a vaguer achievement than graduating with honors. If your resume already says that you graduated magna cum laude, listing the Dean’s List as an honor could be redundant. Use that space to include something that adds more value to your resume.

Be consistent in your formatting

Whatever format you decide to use, make sure each entry follows the same template. A break in formatting will be distracting and make your resume look less professional. Along the same lines, choose a format that will fit well with the rest of your resume. The formatting of each section will not be identical, but it should be similar.

Give your resume an extra proofread

Once you mention that you graduated with honors, an employer’s expectations will rise. Everyone should proofread their resume, but those who graduated with honors should be extra careful. Careless mistakes in grammar, spelling and formatting can undercut your academic achievements.

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CSULB Launches Beach EDGE to Streamline Pathways to Graduate Degrees

At Cal State Long Beach, meeting students where they are means streamlining access to education and resources. That’s the goal of The Beach EDGE , a new program launching in fall 2024 that aids institutional efforts to meet this cornerstone of our mission.  

A new host of degree programs designed to help students complete bachelor's and master's with fewer total units, Beach EDGE creates one seamless pathway to a graduate degree, merging related undergraduate and graduate programs to give master’s hopefuls a focused roadmap for their educational journey.   

Short for Expedited Degrees in Graduate Education, the EDGE programs allow for double-counting of some course units to apply to both degrees – the bachelor’s and master’s. Students in the program can take 10 or more master’s courses as undergraduates, saving them time and money.  

“Well, how cool is it to earn a master’s in an accelerated time and at a cheaper rate than completing post the bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Dina Perrone, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies at CSULB. “Beach EDGE alumni can have more control over their careers with both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree on their résumés, and they will earn their master’s degree at a much more manageable cost.”  

This model, known as “blended” or “4 +1” programs at other institutions across the country, is one that Deans across the California State University system had been hoping to implement for a few years, Perrone said. Recent approval from the Board of Trustees to allow the double-counting of some graduate units made the EDGE programs possible.   

This new effort represents a meaningful stroke of progress in CSULB’s institutional goals, which are laid out in the university’s Beach 2030 strategic plan. Efforts to create alternative instructional delivery models have been a key objective of the Beach 2030 team focused on building a growth strategy at The Beach, and the EDGE programs exact the precise goals of this work — to extend more opportunities to more students.  

“In this area we are looking at different ways to increase access to our graduate programs and to increase potential student interest in our programs,” said Dr. Jody Cormack, Vice Provost of Academic Programs and current Dean of Graduate Studies who also leads the growth strategy team.  

“Blended programs fit perfectly within this realm,” she said, noting the expedited timeline Beach EDGE promises students. “We are also hoping that we will have more of our native bachelor’s students taking advantage of the increased accessibility of a master’s degree, which will lead to upward mobility and the opportunity for advancement to fulfill workforce demands, create, innovate, and serve the public good.”  

Nine Beach EDGE programs will be part of the initial rollout in the fall, expected to benefit at least 100 students, Perrone said. In the coming years, CSULB aims to create additional pathways and expects more EDGE programs to be added.   

“Beach EDGE students get an edge up on their education by expediting the achievement of the master’s degree,” Perrone said.  

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Reei m.a. degree.

The REEI master’s degree program is intended to prepare area specialists for nonacademic careers in government and private-sector fields such as research and foreign aid, or in exchange organizations, journalism, and business. The program normally takes two years to complete. It provides a broad interdisciplinary introduction to the Russian and East European area, with language competency appropriate for professional research.

REEI also offers a Mid-Career Professional Track M.A. degree in Russian and East European area studies, which aims to add to and refine the area expertise professional and commissioned officers have acquired through their career.

Use your Graduate Academic Bulletin

Students pursuing a graduate degree in the Russian and East European Institute should use the University Graduate School Academic Bulletin.

Official requirements for our M.A. degree can be found by clicking on the Bulletin below:

2023-24: Russian and East European Institute University Graduate School Academic Bulletin

Degree information

For official degree requirements, you must consult with the Graduate School Bulletin. The information below is not the official record.

Required courses (6 credit hours)

• REEI R-600 Proseminar in REEI Area Studies (3 credits)
• REEI R-601 Interdisciplinary Colloquium in REEI (3 credits)

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4 courses (3 credits each) from an area studies offering, with one each from these distributions:

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• Sociocultural

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• 4 courses in the area of concentration.

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REEI and the University Graduate School have strict guidelines for the submission, defense, and acceptance of the M.A. Essay. Students must comply with these guidelines and timeline when preparing to defend their essay. A timeline for student requirements follows.

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REEI students are expected to demonstrate through oral examination at least an intermediate-mid (ACTFL scale) oral competency in an approved area language. Your proficiency is measured through a conversational exam on a variety of topics, including but not limited to home, school, history, current events, and your research.

For more information about the language proficiency exam, please contact the REEI Student Services Coordinator .

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• Courses must be passed with a minimum of a B average and must be area-related.
• Courses should be selected in consultation with the REEI Student Services Coordinator.

Review the Graduate Academic Bulletin

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Master of Arts in Neuropsychology

Programme requirements.

1. All applicants must be in possession of an Honours degree in psychology from a South African university (or an equivalent qualification recognised by the University of Cape Town and the Professional Board of Psychology). Students applying from outside of South Africa (e.g., neighbouring countries) should apply to the  South African Qualifications Authority  to have their degree evaluated. SAQA LEVEL 8 is the minimum requirement for your application. Please visit the SAQA website for further information regarding the evaluation of foreign qualifications. Please note that a Psychology Honours degree from UCT is not a requirement. 

2. An overall average mark of at least 70% for a Psychology Honours program.

3. A minimum of 70% for Neuropsychology (or equivalent) at Honours level.** 

If you do not have a final mark for your full Honours degree or for your Neuropsychology (or equivalent) course, you must include a letter from your course convenor/s confirming the partial marks you currently have for your:

• Honours overall coursework mark to date
• Honours Neuropsychology (or equivalent) course mark 

**Please note that the Psychology Honours programme at UCT is a single course that includes all content modules and a research component.  It is not possible to register for the Honours Neuropsychology module on its own .  Selection into the UCT Honours programme is also highly competitive.

Please note that the research dissertation comprises a substantial proportion (50%) of the degree mark, so appropriate training in Psychological research is also necessary.

Please see the UCT Humanities Postgraduate Handbook for more information. 

Application Procedure

NOTE! In order to apply for an M.A. in Neuropsychology at UCT, all candidates MUST complete BOTH UCT's application form (step 1 below)  AND complete the internal departmental application form (step 2 below). Failure to complete one or both of these will mean that your application is incomplete and will not be considered). 

Please ensure that you complete all the steps outlined below by the closing date: 31 October 2024

1.  Make an online application for study through the central UCT Admissions Office by no later than 31 October 2024 . Applications open from 2 April 2024. 

2.  Complete the Departmental application form . In this application you will need to submit a motivational letter, academic transcript(s), degree certificate(s), progress report (if currently completing honours), proof of payment (see below), and the names and contact details of two referees (see below). Click here to access the departmental application form . This must be completed and submitted by 31 October 2024 . No late applications will be considered.

3.  In addition, two referee reports must be submitted (one must be an academic referee, preferably your honours supervisor). Please provide your two chosen referees with your  UCT Student Number  as they will need to include this information when submitting a report for you. If you are new to UCT, you will be given a student number once you have completed the UCT application (see point [1] above). Please send the following link to your two chosen referees: https://forms.gle/hJMg8zACFr6N8FZQ8 . Referee reports are due when internal applications close on  31 October 2024 . It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees have submitted their reports by the deadline. No late referee reports will be accepted.   

4. Proof of EFT payment of the departmental application fee. The fee is  R150  for South African applicants and  R175  for international applicants. You will need to submit these documents with your application (in point [2] above). If we do not receive the proof of payment with your application, we have no record of the transaction. Banking details are provided below. Please note that this is an additional fee to UCT's general application fee. 

To apply for funding, please see the Postgraduate Funding Office .

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

See more in the Faculty of Humanities Postgraduate Handbook .

Banking Details:

Selection Procedure

Selection into this program is highly competitive , as we get many more applicants than we can accommodate.  There are only 6 places available each year.  When making the selection we take into consideration academic record (especially at Honours level, but also overall; and appropriate academic background in Neuropsychology and cognate areas), personal suitability for clinical work, and a letter of motivation.  We also conform to UCT policy on equity. 

Applicants will be short-listed and will be required to attend an in-person interview if chosen. If you are not contacted for an interview, it means that your application was unsuccessful. Interviews typically take place in December. Interview dates will be relayed as soon as they become available. 

Important Notice

The HPCSA has now opened the Neuropsychology register.  Many of our graduates have taken the Board exam and are now registered.  The uncertainty around the Neuropsychology qualification therefore no longer pertains. Successful completion of UCT’s accredited MA Neuropsychology degree, an HPCSA approved internship, and their Board Exam, should qualify you for registration as a Neuropsychologist. However, ultimate authority to register an individual rests with the HPCSA and not with UCT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am doing Course X at University Y but have not completed Neuro-Psychology at Honours level.  Is my course equivalent?**

A: Some Honours level courses that cover brain and behaviour, physiological psychology, or human neuroscience topics may be considered equivalent to Neuro-Psychology at Honours level.  This depends on the particular course’s content and the level at which the course is taught.  Decisions regarding such courses will be made during the application and selection process each year. Please provide details in your letter of application.

Q: How is clinical suitability determined?

A: We use information from various parts of the full application and we interview short-listed candidates.

Q: Is it possible to do the course part-time?

A:  This is a full-time clinical training program. It is not possible to take it on a part-time basis. Students are required to be in Cape Town to complete their training. 

For any additional queries please contact Mia Karriem via email: [email protected] .

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Lifelong learning: stanford gse student collects her master’s degree after 80 years in education.

It’s been a minute since Virginia “Ginger” Hislop was a student at Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE).

When she started at the GSE in 1936 — then the Stanford University School of Education — her plan was to get her bachelor’s of education, which she did in 1940, and obtain her master’s of education so she could teach, which she started directly after.

The goal: to help grow and provide opportunities for young minds by following in the footsteps of her grandmother, who taught in Kansas before the Civil War, and her Aunt Nora, who was the principal of a school in West Los Angeles, and pursue the field of education.

However, just after completing her coursework and just before turning in her final thesis, her then-boyfriend George Hislop AB ’41, a GSE student in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), got called in to serve during World War II, prompting the pair to get married and Virginia Hislop to leave campus before graduating.

“I thought it was one of the things I could pick up along the way if I needed it and I always enjoyed studying, so that wasn’t really a great concern to me — and getting married was,” said Hislop, who was born in Palo Alto and resides in Yakima, Washington.

Now, 83 years after leaving campus and living in service to learning, Hislop returned to Stanford  to finish what she started and receive her graduate degree.

“A fierce advocate for equity and the opportunity to learn … today we are proud to confer the master of arts in education to our 105 year-old graduate,” GSE Dean Daniel Schwartz said in a speech at the beginning of the GSE’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 16.

Virginia Hislop (right) accepts her diploma for her master of arts in education at the GSE’s 2024 commencement ceremony from Dean Dan Schwartz. She collects her degree after more than 80 years doing education work in schools and on school boards in Yakima, Washington. (Photo: Charles Russo)

Family ties to Stanford 

In many ways, Hislop’s work in education after leaving Stanford began with her children.

When her daughter Anne started first grade in Washington, Hislop advocated on her behalf so that she could take advanced English, rather than a home economics course being suggested by the school.

“I felt that she could learn to cook at home and it was more important that she learn more academic skills at school,” said Hislop, whose daughter Anne Hislop Jensen MA ’68 and son-in-law Doug Jensen, MA ’68, also graduated from the GSE.

After that first encounter, Hislop was moved to join the school board to have more of a say in what children were being taught, to help set them up for success.

“I felt that all the kids should have an opportunity to develop their potential as best they could, and that everybody should have a crack at higher education if they wanted,” said Hislop,  who stayed on the school board for 13 years before moving her involvement to the city, county and state level in Washington state.

Some of her roles included chairing the Yakima School Board of Directors; becoming a founding member of the board of directors for Yakima Community College, and helping to start Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington, where she served on the board for 20 years.

“I’ve been doing this work for years and it’s nice to be recognized with this degree,” she said.

Leadership and longevity in learning

Nowadays, Hislop spends most of her time doing community work, reading, socializing and working in her garden — a routine she says has kept her sharp.

“The biggest lesson I’ve taken from her is that you never really stop learning,” said Doug Jensen, “She’s a voracious reader, and at 105 she’s still actively moving and shaking. No moss grows under her feet.”

Looking back on her career, Hislop credits her time at Stanford and the things she’s learned from community partners along the way for her ability to impact students.

“I think I did good things for our local school system and I helped broaden it out,” she said. “For me, this degree is an appreciation of the many years I’ve put in working for the schools in the Yakima area and on different boards.”

At the GSE Diploma ceremony, Schwartz concurred, saying Hislop “led a life of tremendous educational accomplishment.” Her fellow graduates and their families gave her a standing ovation. 

When Hislop rose from her seat, donned in cap and gown, to walk across the stage and receive her master’s hood, the applause roared once again. She greeted Schwartz on stage and was handed her diploma. She smiled for the cameras. Her grandkids and great-grandkids waved and cheered. 

“My goodness,” Hislop said. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”

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