Understanding the Difference Between a Bachelor’s and an Honours Degree

Choosing the right undergraduate pathway is one of the most important academic decisions you’ll make. In the UK, you may encounter two main types of undergraduate degrees: a standard Bachelor’s Degree (often called an “Ordinary Degree”) and a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours (sometimes simply referred to as an “Honours Degree” or “Hons”). While the two may sound similar, the differences can significantly influence your future career and postgraduate study options. This guide clarifies these distinctions, explains how each pathway works, and helps you decide which option best suits your goals.

Introduction

A Bachelor’s Degree typically represents the foundational level of undergraduate study in the UK. Most students entering higher education will enrol in a bachelor’s programme after completing their secondary education (e.g., A-Levels, BTEC, or an equivalent qualification). However, you’ll often see another term attached to many bachelor’s degrees: “Hons,” meaning Honours. So what does this extra designation signify?

Why the Honours Distinction Matters

An Honours Degree goes beyond the standard bachelor’s programme by including a higher level of academic rigour, often culminating in a dissertation or final-year project. This additional research or specialized study can give graduates a competitive edge in the job market, influence earning potential, and satisfy entry requirements for certain postgraduate courses.

Impact on Career Prospects and Further Studies

Employers and universities frequently treat Honours Degrees as the standard benchmark for academic achievement in the UK. While you can still find employment and postgraduate study opportunities with a standard (ordinary) Bachelor’s Degree, the Honours pathway usually affords more direct access to competitive jobs or advanced courses such as Master’s and PhD programmes. Indeed, most UK master’s programmes now assume applicants have, or are on track to achieve, an Honours Degree.

What Is a Bachelor’s Degree?

Definition and Role in UK Higher Education

In the UK, a bachelor’s degree typically marks the completion of one’s first stage of higher education. It demonstrates that the student has gained foundational knowledge in a chosen subject, along with essential skills like critical thinking, writing, and research. Students can pursue degrees in the arts (BA), sciences (BSc), engineering (BEng), law (LLB), and many other fields.

Types of Degrees

• BA (Bachelor of Arts) – Common for humanities and social sciences (e.g., English, History, Sociology).
• BSc (Bachelor of Science) – Common for scientific and technical disciplines (e.g., Biology, Mathematics, Psychology).
• BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) – Focused on engineering fields (e.g., Mechanical, Civil, Electrical).
• LLB (Bachelor of Laws) – Specifically for the study of law.
• BEd (Bachelor of Education) – Tailored for teaching and educational roles.

Duration & Entry Requirements

• Typical Duration: Three years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; four years in Scotland (where the first year is somewhat broader and the Honours component is usually incorporated in the final years).
• Entry Requirements: Commonly two or three A-Levels (or equivalent). Students with BTEC diplomas or other professional qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate can also gain entry. Some courses offer a foundation year for students who don’t meet standard entry criteria.

Typical Career Paths with a Standard Bachelor’s Degree

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree—whether ordinary or Honours—opens doors to entry-level positions in a wide range of sectors. Some employers may be flexible about whether the qualification is Honours or not, especially in roles where extensive on-the-job training is provided. However, more competitive sectors (e.g., finance, consulting, research-intensive fields) and many postgraduate programmes tend to expect an Honours degree.

What Is an Honours Degree?

Definition: What Makes an Hons Degree Different?

While many people view the standard bachelor’s qualification and the Honours version as nearly identical, the Honours distinction generally indicates a higher academic standard. An Honours Degree usually involves:

• Additional academic credits (often totaling at least 360 credits, compared to 300 for an ordinary degree).
• A dissertation or final-year project, requiring in-depth study and independent research.
• More advanced modules in the final year(s), often with a research or analytical focus.

In practice, the vast majority of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the UK these days are Honours Degrees. It’s relatively rare to find a fully “ordinary” degree track that doesn’t culminate in Honours—though these do exist and are sometimes offered as exit awards if a student doesn’t complete all Honours-level components.

Honours-Level Study Involves

• A Deeper Academic Focus: Modules often include advanced theoretical content and a requirement to conduct original or semi-independent research.
• Dissertation / Final Year Project Requirement: Usually spanning several months, a dissertation allows you to explore a specific topic in detail, demonstrating your ability to apply research methods and scholarly techniques.
• Degree Classification System: Honours Degrees in the UK follow a system of classification, typically:
  • First Class (1st)
  • Upper Second Class (2:1)
  • Lower Second Class (2:2)
  • Third Class (3rd)

  Ordinary degrees are often not classified in the same manner; they may simply be recorded as a “pass.”

Why Employers and Universities Prefer Honours Graduates

An Honours Degree signals that the holder has engaged in deeper, more rigorous academic work, and has typically demonstrated better research and analytical skills. This can translate into:

• Enhanced employability in professional and knowledge-based sectors.
• Meeting entry criteria for many master’s programmes (in fact, many postgraduate admissions explicitly ask for an Honours Degree, usually at a 2:1 or above).
• Greater professional credibility, especially in fields like law, engineering, and finance.

Can You Upgrade an Ordinary Degree to Honours?

Yes—though it depends on the institution and the specific programme. Some universities provide “top-up” routes allowing students who left with an ordinary degree (for instance, after three years of a four-year course in Scotland or after not completing a dissertation) to return later for an additional period of study. This usually requires completing all Honours-level modules plus a dissertation or equivalent project.

Key Differences (Comparison Table)

Below is a concise overview of how a standard Bachelor’s Degree (ordinary) generally compares to an Honours Degree in the UK. Note that specific requirements and naming conventions can vary by university.

Career & Academic Impact

How Honours Status Affects Job Opportunities

An Honours Degree is often perceived as the “default” UK undergraduate qualification. Large graduate recruiters—spanning sectors like finance, technology, and public administration—frequently list a 2:1 Honours Degree as a minimum requirement. Employers value the depth of knowledge and the research skills an Honours graduate typically demonstrates, which can be particularly crucial in more specialized fields.

Meanwhile, certain professions, such as teaching or specialised healthcare roles, might be less strict about whether your degree is honours or ordinary but may stipulate additional professional qualifications. Nonetheless, an Honours Degree commonly carries more weight when applying for graduate-level jobs.

Is Hons Required for a Master’s Degree?

In most cases, yes—or at least it is strongly preferred. UK universities typically look for a 2:1 Honours Degree or higher when admitting students to master’s programmes. Those with an ordinary bachelor’s may be considered but would often need to demonstrate other qualifications or relevant work experience. In some cases, a bridging course or a graduate certificate/diploma might serve as a route to a master’s if you lack the standard Honours qualification.

Fields Where Honours Is Essential vs. Where a Standard Bachelor’s May Suffice

• Essential: Research-intensive sectors (e.g., academic research, data science, lab-based science), competitive graduate schemes (especially in finance, consulting, and technology), and postgraduate programmes that demand proven research skills.
• Potentially Sufficient: Creative industries, certain small to medium enterprises (SMEs), and vocational roles, where a portfolio, experience, and practical skills can be more crucial than your official degree classification.

Salary Differences

While direct salary comparisons can vary dramatically based on discipline, region, and employer, holding an Honours Degree is often correlated with slightly higher average starting salaries. According to some analyses of Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data, graduates with a 2:1 or above tend to secure roles with more responsibility and potential for progression.

As of recent estimates, the difference might be in the range of a few thousand pounds annually for fresh graduates. Over the course of a career, that gap can widen based on skill development, promotions, and postgraduate studies.

Alternative Paths

Foundation Degree vs. Hons

Some students choose a Foundation Degree (FdA, FdSc) for more practical or vocational studies, typically lasting two years. This route can be a stepping stone to an Honours Degree, as many universities offer a “top-up” year that converts a Foundation Degree into a full Honours qualification.

How to Upgrade from an Ordinary to an Hons Degree

If you hold an ordinary bachelor’s but find that you need an Honours for career or postgraduate opportunities:

• Contact your original institution to check if there’s a formal top-up or bridging option.
• Look for postgraduate certificates or diplomas designed to bolster your qualifications.
• Demonstrate relevant work experience if applying for advanced courses, especially those with flexible entry requirements.

Conclusion

In the UK, a Bachelor’s Degree can be awarded as either an ordinary or an Honours degree, and while they may seem similar, the difference is significant. An Honours Degree typically involves a deeper level of academic engagement, often requiring a dissertation or major research project, and is classified into different levels such as First, 2:1, 2:2, or Third. In contrast, an ordinary degree may take less time to complete or involve fewer demanding modules, but it can limit access to certain career opportunities and postgraduate programmes.

Practical Recommendations

For those pursuing careers in competitive fields or planning further academic research, an Honours Degree is usually the better choice. If you already hold an ordinary degree, options such as top-up courses may allow you to convert it into an Honours qualification, and in some cases, relevant professional experience can compensate for the lack of honours. Ultimately, the best choice depends on personal and professional aspirations, so it is essential to carefully consider long-term goals before deciding on a degree path.

FAQ: Bachelors Degree and Honours Degree