The Student Room Group
Actually I've heard that employers like graduates with Joint Honours degrees as they demonstrate breadth, flexibility etc. I'm not sure how truw that it, but I think it's especially good if they're complementary subjects like War Studies and history or 2 languages. If the 2 subjects you want to combine are completely different, I'm not sure how that's viewed because it could show lack of passion for one subject or lack of committment or whatever, but I guess it depends on the employer.
Reply 2
I've heard the same: employers like the breadth of Joint/Dual honours - it shows that can adapt to lots of different ways of learning, etc. For that reason studying two unrelated subjects shows even more diversity! Don't forget, most employers aren't too bothered about what the degree is in: just that you have one!!
Reply 3
I agree, I think it would be better to study joint honours, as you recieve a more varied education, and subjects like th ones youre goin to do, that are complementary, allow you to look at similar problems but from different angles.
Reply 4
kellywood_5
Actually I've heard that employers like graduates with Joint Honours degrees as they demonstrate breadth, flexibility etc. I'm not sure how truw that it, but I think it's especially good if they're complementary subjects like War Studies and history or 2 languages. If the 2 subjects you want to combine are completely different, I'm not sure how that's viewed because it could show lack of passion for one subject or lack of committment or whatever, but I guess it depends on the employer.

Surely it shows MORE passion and committment to study two subjects at degree level, rather than only one? That's how I see it at any rate.
Reply 5
No, it's that it show less passion in the subject that you want to study e.g. if you did History anmd War studies that could show less passion for history (in this case probably not though as they are quite similar)
I study law and the legal profession is becoming fed up with people with law degrees (ironically). The fact that I do Law with Criminology as opposed to just Law will hopefully make me stand out from some others.

I will still get an LLB (hons) assuming that I complete my programme of study to a satisfactory level however think that the criminology aspect could set me aside from some other candidates.
Reply 7
I've heard that a joint degree is more work, but i don't think this is true, because i've been told that you just do different mods, and that youcover the subjects in less depth. eg. if i did maths and phs, which i don't, i'd have less maths, and i'll have some physics, opposed to if i were doing stright maths, in which i'd probably do maths in more depth, and with no physocs

I think its to do with the relative weightings of the differnt components.

I muct make the point that good unis that offer joint degrees teach you substantially more than lower ones. I've been told that what one may get taught in maths at Kings college london, is less than what maths and physics people get taught at, at cambridge, for example,

cheers

Phil
Reply 8
Taldarion
No, it's that it show less passion in the subject that you want to study e.g. if you did History anmd War studies that could show less passion for history (in this case probably not though as they are quite similar)

I'm sorry but I disagree strongly. I do a joint degree in History and Music, and I do it because I have an equally strong passion for both subjects. If you didn't have a passion for either subject, then why study them at degree level? Why study two subjects rather than one, if you're not really interested in them? Doing a joint degree might not involve more actual work (in terms of essays etc.) than a single degree, but there is a strong argument for the idea that it requires a broader, more flexible mind to cope with studying two subjects at a degree level.
I would consider joint honours degrees in widely different subjects as being less appropriate for postgraduate study (more so in the sciences and the arts). I would consider it an advantage when applying for jobs as it is undoubtedly more of an intellectual challenge.
kew96158
I'm sorry but I disagree strongly. I do a joint degree in History and Music, and I do it because I have an equally strong passion for both subjects. If you didn't have a passion for either subject, then why study them at degree level? Why study two subjects rather than one, if you're not really interested in them? Doing a joint degree might not involve more actual work (in terms of essays etc.) than a single degree, but there is a strong argument for the idea that it requires a broader, more flexible mind to cope with studying two subjects at a degree level.

I agree. I have decided to study Maths and Philosophy, as I enjoy both areas, not becaue I don't feel that i'm intersted enough in either one to study it in a single honours degree. Often people may choose a joint honours course as they are intersted in the links within the subjects, an area which influenced me very much in my decision, as I'm keen on finding out more about logic and proof.

Anyway, back to the point :wink: , I'd say that from an employer's point of view, in general a degree is a degree, whether it's joint or single honours so they definately wouldn't view it any lower in their estimation. If anything they'd probably consider it more highly as it shows the ability to develop a high standard and motivate yourself in 2 subject areas.
Reply 11
Depends what the degree is. If it's Mathematics and Teletubbies Studies, then a single degree would be better.
Reply 12
Pencil
Depends what the degree is. If it's Mathematics and Teletubbies Studies, then a single degree would be better.


A single degree Teletubbies wouldn't be better.

Personally I'm applying for joint honours as I think I'll enjoy the course better that way, employment wise I doubt it matters much, having said that a joint honours with Maths or a language may set you apart, in my opinion.
Reply 13
i also think it's easier to stay motivated (if liek me you kinda get bored easily)... i like maths but don't want to do it all the time and my psychology gives me a change from it (but i think it's probably more emplayable to have maths + psych than single psych)

lou xxx
Reply 14
lou p
i also think it's easier to stay motivated (if liek me you kinda get bored easily)... i like maths but don't want to do it all the time and my psychology gives me a change from it (but i think it's probably more emplayable to have maths + psych than single psych)

lou xxx



I do Law with Criminology and find that the two teach me very different ways of thinking. People ask if it is more or less work the answer is neither. All it means is that you do different modules. You still take six modules a year however these are split between the two departments.