2.2 BSc degrees - let’s discuss

I often find it is those doing a BA that claim 2.1’s are ridiculously easy to get. I have just finished doing a psychology BSc at UEA, and even 2.2’s were difficult - a grade I received many times. I was able to get maybe 8 2.1’s altogether, but the majority were 2.2’s (I also had a lot of personal problems which I won’t delve into) but In my third year, I did an outside of school BA module, and for a very minimal amount of effort I got a 78 in my essay?! For putting in literally no extra work than my BSc modules. I am likely to get a 2.2 overall sadly, as my dissertation was a bit of a flop, but I think awareness of the differences in difficultly between BA’s and BSc’s needs to be made more prominent. A 2.2 BSc from a good uni, in my opinion, is just as much of an achievement as a 2.1 BA. What are people’s thoughts?

You do realise that BA and BSc are merely arbitrary degree titles that mean very little - they're just the letters that come before your degree subject. For example, did you know that many universities offer a BA in Physics. The difference between BAs and BScs are merely the elective subjects you choose to take alongside your main degree subject and the course content is largely identical between BAs and BScs for the same subject.

You do realise that BA and BSc are merely arbitrary degree titles that mean very little - they're just the letters that come before your degree subject. For example, did you know that many universities offer a BA in Physics. The difference between BAs and BScs are merely the elective subjects you choose to take alongside your main degree subject and the course content is largely identical between BAs and BScs for the same subject.

Yes, and the BA in Physics is less science based. I find it hard to believe that with the insane amount of statistics, biology and science my course entailed, that a BA would have been just as difficult.

Also, your degree obviously worked differently to mine. Psychology you are given all compulsory modules until third year, where you have to start to specialise in types of psychology. You don’t get a ‘base’ subject?!

Again, read what I said... most BAs and BScs for the same subject will be largely the same in which modules you can select. Perhaps your degree did work differently, but for the most part you usually get given a choice in what modules you take in your final year.

I know for sure that Oxford and the ancient Scottish universities work like this where you take your chosen degree subject, but you also get to choose a couple of elective to subjects or "short options" as they're sometimes called to study alongside your degree in your first and second year, and sometimes even final year.

Right well read that, as I described with my course, all modules you pick with a BSc are taken within the school of psychology and very maths/science heavy. So how is there no difference??

There's obviously problems with this sort of assertion, because universities like Oxbridge and some Scottish unis don't really have the more common BA/BSc route.

But, if you're talking about humanities/arts vs science/quantitative social sciences, then I'd disagree with you. On average, the former category produces less Firsts than the latter. In something mathsy, it's much easier to get a good grade if you understand the content compared to a similar level of understanding in a qualitative subject because one is objective and the other isn't. One misinterpretation of an essay question will ruin your entire grade.

Right well read that, as I described with my course, all modules you pick with a BSc are taken within the school of psychology and very maths/science heavy. So how is there no difference??

There's obviously problems with this sort of assertion, because universities like Oxbridge and some Scottish unis don't really have the more common BA/BSc route.

But, if you're talking about humanities/arts vs science/quantitative social sciences, then I'd disagree with you. On average, the former category produces less Firsts than the latter. In something mathsy, it's much easier to get a good grade if you understand the content compared to a similar level of understanding in a qualitative subject because one is objective and the other isn't. One misinterpretation of an essay question will ruin your entire grade.

There's obviously problems with this sort of assertion, because universities like Oxbridge and some Scottish unis don't really have the more common BA/BSc route.

But, if you're talking about humanities/arts vs science/quantitative social sciences, then I'd disagree with you. On average, the former category produces less Firsts than the latter. In something mathsy, it's much easier to get a good grade if you understand the content compared to a similar level of understanding in a qualitative subject because one is objective and the other isn't. One misinterpretation of an essay question will ruin your entire grade.

You really need to look at university websites - for example, this is taken from Aberdeen and I know the other Scottish universities run their degrees like this. In these cases, the only difference is your elective subjects.

So, BSc students will take Psychology along with two other science subjects (e.g., Biology and Chemistry)
MA or BA students will take arts subjects alongside Psychology (e.g., Philosophy and a Language). It is important to note that these modules do not count toward your degree grade.

However, in your final honours year(s) there is no difference between which modules a BA and BSc student are able to take, so they could end up taking the exact same modules.

Yes, some universities do run their BA v. BScs degrees differently and may perhaps limit their BA and BScs modules to particular aspects. However, because a lot of universities do not differ between BA and BSc content/modules you cannot just say someone's BA is easier because they may have taken the exact same modules as a student with a BSc in the same subject. The degree title is not important, it is the modules which one takes that are and which demonstrate your skills and knowledge.

You really need to look at university websites - for example, this is taken from Aberdeen and I know the other Scottish universities run their degrees like this. In these cases, the only difference is your elective subjects.

So, BSc students will take Psychology along with two other science subjects (e.g., Biology and Chemistry)
MA or BA students will take arts subjects alongside Psychology (e.g., Philosophy and a Language). It is important to note that these modules do not count toward your degree grade.

However, in your final honours year(s) there is no difference between which modules a BA and BSc student are able to take, so they could end up taking the exact same modules.

Yes, some universities do run their BA v. BScs degrees differently and may perhaps limit their BA and BScs modules to particular aspects. However, because a lot of universities do not differ between BA and BSc content/modules you cannot just say someone's BA is easier because they may have taken the exact same modules as a student with a BSc in the same subject. The degree title is not important, it is the modules which one takes that are and which demonstrate your skills and knowledge.

You are trying to claim that a BSc degree is much harder than a BA degree on the basis that one individual (yourself) did a single module from a BA degree and found it easy? Any scientific education you received as part of your degree had been lost on you.

It is also worth pointing out that What Uni? states 89% of people on your degree get a 2:1 or above. Your course is not difficult, it is just that you are at the bottom of your cohort.

All these BA students getting rowdy af. I love it

The person you quoted did have a point though

All these BA students getting rowdy af. I love it

I fail to see your point. Every year I had at uni I HAD to take all psychology subjects, so how can you possibly tell me my degree consisted of exactly the same modules? I was only allowed to do an out of school module in third year due to a timetable clash+ personal problems.

Are you also aware you’re literally comparing a masters with a bachelors?