If you’re planning to continue your studies after A Levels, one of the most common paths to follow is that of a Bachelor’s degree.

This page will take you through everything you need to know. We’ll explore the different types of Bachelor’s degrees that exist, how long these degrees take to complete, the subjects on offer, and the funding options available to you.

What is a Bachelor’s Degree?

Classed as a level 6 qualification, a bachelor’s degree is the most common undergraduate degree. This degree can be studied straight after finishing sixth form or college and has been designed to provide a thorough understanding of a particular subject.

 

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees

There are thousands of bachelor’s degree courses across the UK, relating to the various types of denominations as follows:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

This degree covers subjects such as humanities, communications, social sciences, and languages. A BA degree focuses on theoretical or abstract topics that usually require critical thinking.

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

This type of degree encompasses subjects such as maths, nursing, computer science, and biochemistry. As the name suggests, this accreditation is related to a range of topics where students learn both scientific and technical knowledge.

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)

A BEng degree covers specific engineering topics such as civil engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. This type of degree tends to be more hands-on, applying theory in a practical setting.

Bachelor of Education (BEd)

This degree is for those who want to pursue a career in teaching. Studying for this degree combines academic learning with practical placements. On completion of this degree, students graduate with a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

A Bachelor of Laws degree provides a Qualifying Law Degree and is the most popular qualification of its kind in the UK. This degree will provide students with the legal awareness and knowledge needed to become solicitors or barristers.

Honours and Non-Honours

A degree is classified as an honours degree if it consists of at least 3 years of study and is graded by a weighted average. The last section of study carries a greater weight and includes the study of ‘honours modules’. The overall worth of an honours degree totals 360 credits.

A non-honours or ‘ordinary’ degree may be awarded if a student only completes 2 years of study or fails to pass all required modules to obtain honours. If you receive a non-honours degree classification, this will be worth 300 credits.

That being said, the majority of bachelor’s degrees in the UK now have honours built into the course as standard. Therefore, it’s unlikely you will have the choice of enrolling in a non-honours degree.

 

How Long Do Bachelor’s Degrees Take?

Bachelor’s degrees usually take between 3 and 4 years of full-time study to complete. This will ultimately depend on the specific course you’re studying.

Many bachelor’s provide the opportunity to do a year in industry known as a ‘placement’ or ‘sandwich’ year as it takes place during the second or third year of the degree. This gives students the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge they have learnt in a practical setting. Thus, gaining valuable work experience that employers look for in potential candidates.

 

What Subjects Are Covered?

There are around 65,000 varying bachelor’s degrees available to study in the UK. You can study anything you want from marketing to accounting, nursing to fashion, or even ethical hacking! With the sheer number of subjects available, there will definitely be something out there that suits your chosen career path.

To explore the degree courses currently offered across the UK, visit UCAS.

 

Funding

Bachelor’s degrees do, however, come at a cost. University costs can vary depending on a number of factors, including the university itself, the city it’s located in, and the materials required for the course. The good news is that you may be eligible for funding from the government.

There are two types of government loans available:

Tuition Fee Loan

If you’re a full-time student, you can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 per academic year depending on your university’s fees.

Maintenance Loan

This loan is provided to help with living costs associated with going to university, such as rent, food, travel, course books, etc. The amount you can borrow will depend on your household income and whether you are living at or away from home.

Visit the gov.uk website to check your eligibility and calculate your estimated maintenance loan amount.

 

Opportunities From a Bachelor’s Degree

Once you have completed a bachelor’s degree, there are many possible routes you may choose to explore:

Whatever your choice may be, make sure you do your research in advance. Check out our dedicated guides that will provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you.

 

Key Takeaways: Bachelor’s Degree

For those students who want to delve further into one, or perhaps two subjects, then a Bachelor’s degree is an excellent option. Not only will it increase your chances of employment, but it will also act as a stepping stone into postgraduate studies, such as a Master’s Degree or a PhD.

Developing a Student has all the information you need on undergraduate degrees. With pages on topics like how to choose the right degree for you and how to decide what university to attend, we’re here to make things easier.

Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, be sure to visit Developing a Student’s graduate jobs board for all the latest opportunities in your area.

Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions. And don’t miss a thing from Developing a Student by signing up for our newsletter below.