CHAPTER 7 - University Degrees and Diplomas

Abstract

This chapter discusses university degrees and diplomas in England and Whales. A first degree means the first degree taken by an undergraduate (student). A student may take more than one degree and may do so at any university. The most usual first degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees, but there are many more. Certain subjects may lead to different degrees at different universities. There may be a B.A. degree in Psychology at one university and a B.Sc. in Psychology at another. First degrees may be of honors or pass standard. Honors degrees are usually divided into four classes. Pass degrees involve the study of several subjects; honors degrees involve the study of one or two subjects more intensively. External degrees of London University may be taken following private study or a course at a college of further education. The failure rate of students entering universities is about 14–16 percent. Most of these are required to leave at the end of the first year, the majority because of failure in examinations. Higher degrees can be taken after further study. In most universities, the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is obtained in this way. The Doctorate is a still higher degree.