Types of Degree

Single

A single degree is when a student studies one degree at a time. There is often room to select courses from a range of electives; giving students the option to focus on a specific area of interest, or alternatively study a range of courses in order to gain a broader education.

There are two types of degrees General and Named;

General

A General degree provides an opportunity for students to study a broad range of subject areas with few or no compulsory core topics.
Examples of General degrees are; the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Science degree and the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.  Students studying a General degree may undertake a major and minors from the study areas available to them,  for example, majors and minors for the Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Named

A Named degree has compulsory subjects, relevant to the core discipline, that students must complete to qualify for their degree. Generally Named degrees offer a more limited elective opportunities and less flexibilty than a General degree. However, usually there is still room to study elective courses within and outside of the students’ enrolled discipline. In some cases the completion of these degrees will enable graduates to seek professional registration and practice. 
Examples of Named degrees include; the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree and the Bachelor of Development Studies degree.

To understand how a particular degree is structured, please refer to the ‘Program Structure’ and ‘Study Plan’ sections of the degree entry on Degree Finder.

From 2013 the University will progressively introduce a compulsory major within all but a few degrees.

Advanced

Advanced degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of their degree area to a more advanced level, and has a greater emphasis on research skill development.

Double

A double degree is when a student elects to study an approved combination of two degrees at the same time. This gives students two qualifications but doesn’t take double the time, as the two degrees have been arranged; studying a double degree will usually only take students one or two years longer than a single degree.  The doubling of degrees does not reduce the academic or educational value of the two degrees, as some courses will be credited towards both degrees. At the end of a double degree students will graduate with two separate parchments, one for each degree.
Examples of double degrees are the Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts double degrees or the Bachelor of Social Sciences/Bachelor of Health Sciences double degrees - list of all approved double degrees.

Combined

A combined degree is an approved combination of two degrees which includes components from both programs and satisfies the minimum of one of those degree programs but not both individual degrees (unlike a double degree). This means that when a student graduates with a combined degree they will receive one parchment with the two component degrees linked by ‘and’ in the degree title. 
An example of a combined degree is the Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Science (Geology and Geophysics) combined degrees - list of all approved combined degrees.

Concurrent

A concurrent degree is when a student chooses to study two degrees at the same time that haven’t already been packaged as an approved double or combined degree. The time it will take for a student to complete study of concurrent degrees will depend upon the two degrees being put together. Studying concurrent degrees can take the same amount of time as it would to complete both degrees individually but where appropriate, credit may be granted for courses completed in one degree towards the other and this may enable students to complete in reduced time. When a student graduates from studying two concurrent degrees they will receive two parchments, one for each of the completed degrees. Students should seek advice from the relevant Faculty(ies) when planning their study plans for concurrent degrees, being mindful not to ‘overload’ and aware of potential timetable clashes that can occur.
An example of a concurrent degree could be a Bachelor of Psychological Science degree with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

• How do I apply for concurrent degrees?
  To apply for concurrent degrees students must first be enrolled in one of the two degree programs. Future students interested in concurrent degrees should lodge an application via SATAC for at least one of the degrees of interest. Once enrolled in a degree, students are able to apply for internal transfer to add the second degree choice. N.B. Students must check "NO" when asked if they want to unenrol from their current degree to retain the current degree.
  If a student has not completed more than two years full time equivalent of tertiary study, ATAR scores continue to be valid for application to a second degree.  After two years admission will be assessed based on university GPA. After a student has completed the equivalent of one semester (6 months) of full-time study GPA or ATAR results can be used for admission, whichever is better. Students must meet any prerequisites in order to be accepted into the second degree.   For more information on selection criteria for each bachelor degree, please visit Degree Finder and click on 'Admission & Fee Information'.
• Offers
  Once an internal transfer has been accepted students will be notified via hard copy letter.
• How long will it take to do a concurrent degree? (with credit for previous studies)
  The length of time a concurrent degree takes will depend upon the two degrees to be studied. Usually a concurrent degree will take a minimum of five years to complete.
• When can I start a concurrent degree?
  If the second degree does not offer mid-year applications, students may apply a concurrent degree to commence at the beginning of the next year. 
• How do I plan my program of study?
  Once accepted in to your second degree students must make appointments with both program coordinators to discuss a suitable study plan.
• Enrolment
  Once a student has worked out a study plan approved by both program coordinators they will be able to enrol online. More information about enrolment
• Fees, HECS and Commonwealth supported students
  For Commonwealth supported student undertaking concurrent degrees, the fees  charged are determined by the year in which study commenced for each degree. Course fees will be set by the commonwealth fee bands as per usual.