Starting university can be a confusing time for school leavers, especially when they are unsure of the next path to take. Understanding the different levels of university degrees is a good start to help students feel confident when making these decisions and make the most of their time at university.
Types of University Degrees
Associates Degrees
The first level of university degrees is the Associates degree, often requiring a student to have their high-school certificate (or equivalent). Associates degrees are offered at technical schools or community colleges and are typically two years in duration. If students wish to gain an entry-level position for a wide range of jobs including graphic design, air traffic control, nursing and the police, this is a great degree option to provide students with adequate training. Transferable associate degrees are also available for students who wish to continue their education at university after covering the foundation educational requirements. Two of the most common Associate degrees students attain are Associate of Arts and Associate of Science.
Bachelor's Degrees
The second level of university degrees is a Bachelor’s degree, which also requires students to have a high-school certificate to apply. This is the most commonly chosen undergraduate program for school leavers and often require three to four years full time for completion. Students completing a Bachelor’s degree are given the opportunity to select one or two areas to major in for their studies, with common choices including finance, biology and communications. Upon graduating, students have qualifications to work in entry-level and often management-level positions. Alternatively, students may choose to continue their studies in other graduate programs. A common example of Bachelor’s degree is a Bachelor of Arts.
Master’s Degrees
The third level of university degrees is a Master’s degree. This is a graduate program which gives students the opportunity to specialize in a chosen area of study, which often involve developing a thesis or undertaking major projects. A Master’s degree requires students to complete an additional 1-2 years of study and will often involve some pre-requisites for a student to be eligible to apply. This includes the successful completion of an undergraduate degree, alongside achieving a threshold grade point average (or equivalent) and may even require students to sit an admission exam. Successful Master’s graduates have qualifications to work in advanced jobs in executive positions. A common example of a Master’s degree is a Master of Science.
Doctoral Degrees
The most advanced degree is the Doctoral degree, commonly referred to as a Ph. D. To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree and in some cases a master’s, alongside other entry requirements such as sitting standardized tests and providing letters of recommendation. Doctoral degrees take several years to complete and involve a major research project. There are differences in Doctoral degrees depending on the field of study, for example medical programs will include the completion of practical clinical hours. Those graduating with a Ph. D with have qualification to work as experts in research. A common of a Doctoral degree is a Doctor of Medicine.
To get in contact with HSC tutors and other tutors in Sydney from Learnmate, please learn more here.
If you loved this article, you will LOVE all of our other articles, such as: 5 Ways to Best Prepare for the HSC!,The Best Way to Reduce Stress in Year 12: It’s Not What You Think and Study Tips for HSC English This Year!
About Learnmate
Learnmate is a trusted Australian community platform that connects students who want 1:1 or small group study support, with tutors who are looking to share their knowledge and earn an income. From primary school to high school subjects — from science and maths to niche subjects like visual communication — Learnmate can help you improve academic performance or boost confidence, at your pace with the tutor that you choose.
We pride ourselves in offering a reliable and positive experience for both our students and tutors. Every tutor that joins the platform is vetted to meet a level of academic excellence, teaching qualification or relevant experience. All tutors are provided the opportunity to complete professional training.
Students and parents can easily find and screen for tutors based on their location, their subject results or skill level, and whether they provide in-person or online sessions. Learnmate is proud to provide tutors in Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Perth & Adelaide, and other locations.
Learnmate also has tutors for all curriculums: HSC, IB, QCE, BSSS, SACE, TASC, WACE, VCE and UMAT
