What is an Undergraduate degree?

A first degree

An undergraduate course is the first degree you will study. Your undergraduate will broadly cover areas of a subject and if you would like to specialise in a particular area you can go onto a postgraduate degree.

In this blog, you will find information on everything you need to know about undergraduate degrees. This will include exploring the different types of undergraduate degrees, how to choose your undergraduate course, how to apply, and the differences between postgraduate and undergraduate.

Types of undergraduate degrees

There are different types of undergraduate degrees you can choose from. There are three main types: Bachelor, Integrated Foundation Year, and Top Up degrees.

Bachelor Degree

Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular style of degree. They are classed as a level 6 qualification, the different classifications are as follows:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB).

Undergraduate courses will be studied over three years, but some may take longer to complete if choosing to study part time or if they involve a placement year.

Integrated Foundation Year

An Integrated Foundation Year is an option if you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for your chosen course. The foundation year is essentially an introductory course which will help prepare you for university study, this means your course would become a four-year programme. The foundation year will help you to develop your core study and writing skills, research and support adjusting to university life. Once you have successfully completed your foundation year, you will then go onto study your three year programme.

Top-Up Degree

A top-up degree enables students to achieve a full degree if they have already completed a Higher National Diploma (HND) or an equivalent level 5 qualification. The benefits of a top-up degree are that they help students develop a thorough understanding of their chosen field, expanding their knowledge and skill set.

How to choose your undergraduate degree

When choosing the right undergraduate degree, you should be choosing based on what subject area you are most passionate about and would like to pursue as a career. Attending open days will give you the best insight into what the undergraduate courses entail and will give you the opportunity to speak to the course lecturers directly. Undergraduate degrees will have a dedicated course page with module details and entry requirements to browse through in your own time.

How to apply for an undergraduate degree

An important part of your application will be your personal statement, a document that will outline your skills, experience and overall reasons why you want to study at your chosen university. Undergraduate course applications are made through UCAS so you will need to make a UCAS account to start the application process. You can find a step-by-step application process outlined in this blogpost.

The difference between Undergraduate and Postgraduate

We have explored in this article that an undergraduate degree will be the first degree that a student studies for. A postgraduate or master’s degree will be studied after a student has received their undergraduate degree. Postgraduate courses will go into more detail and depth on your chosen subject area and will often involve you to carry out research.

For further information and guidance, our course pages will have a detailed course breakdown with a list of entry requirements, fees and funding, and lecturer contact details.

You can visit an Open Day for your chosen course to get further information and meet the course tutor. You will also be able to speak to student support teams, take a tour of the campus and view accommodation options.

Visit an Open Day

Frances Watts

Frances is a Marketing and Social Media Assistant at UON.