Get more choice, more career opportunities, and more knowledge with a double degree at University of New South Wales.
Despite the name, a double degree doesn’t mean double the time or workload.
Uni is a time for growth and exploration and we’re here to help you find a path that is uniquely yours. Double degrees allow you to combine your interests and carve out a career path that is connected to your personal passions. Stand out when you graduate and boost your employability with the added perspective of a second discipline and specialist skillset that will set you apart.
So, why should you consider a double degree at UNSW? Other than the fact that you can complete an extra degree in as little as one extra year, and there are over 100 double degree options to choose from, there’s so many benefits!
Why study an undergraduate double degree?
We know each of our students has unique potential and different interests and doesn’t always fit in a neat box (or single degree!). This means our students choose double degrees for a range of reasons that help them reach their goals. Hear from some of our students to find out why they chose their second degree.
1. Deepen your knowledge in a field of interest
Double degrees are a great way to dive deeper into topics that complement your specialization. Two degrees that are closely aligned in a field or industry, such as a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Social Sciences, can allow you to gain an all-around perspective and highly specialized skills.
For example, if you’re studying a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Computer Science, you’ll be gaining in-depth theoretical and practical expertise in computer systems and tools while grounding your understanding of business principles in the Bachelor of Commerce.
“I chose to study a double degree because my future career goal is to work in the mineral mining industry. I’ve been able to learn all about processing equipment design and optimization as part of my Chemical Engineering degree and about mineral structures and physical landforms in my Geography degree. It’s a perfect combination of skills to take into a graduate role in the mining industry,” says Adam Halmy, Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours).
2. Reinforce your knowledge with specialist skills
A broad education doesn’t mean losing detail. It adds to your understanding and allows for cross-disciplinary learning where what you learn in one degree will bolster your other. You may be very clear about what you want to learn and what you want to achieve. For those passionate about an issue, double degrees offer an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding.
For example, a double degree in Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Science will allow you to study today’s environmental challenges from two distinct perspectives. You’ll gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges, the interdependencies, the compromises and, ultimately, the opportunities to make a difference.
Our Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programs enable you to shape a field of knowledge to your wider interests and that is why they’re only offered as double degrees. It means our graduates can pursue their passion as a practicing teacher or lawyer but benefit from pairing their skills with the wider knowledge and context of a complementary field and profession.
3. Pursue your passions and purpose
If you’ve got a passion that you’re not willing to give up, or you want to add an edge to your skill set and stand out in the career market, double degrees are a great way to use your time at university to your advantage.
Double degrees allow you to expand your understanding of two study areas at the same time, so you can explore your passions while gaining recognized qualifications.
Your passions might seem worlds apart, but bringing them together is where innovation happens. At UNSW, we encourage and nurture new ideas through initiatives at our Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, Founders Program, hackathons, and more.
At UNSW, we recognize that the most unique challenges need unique answers. We’re here to encourage you to follow your passion and put it towards a purpose that will make a difference. Put your interests to work in a double degree that will encourage you to explore and develop your original thinking, skills, and experiences.
“I’ve never wanted to do just a single degree, it’s more of a liberal education that I’ve wanted. Anywhere else, I have to do a major and minor system. What I was looking for in my degree was being able to study not just engineering but accounting, economics, management — things that would broaden my thinking. Since a child, I’ve always been called a jack of all trades. I thought I should capitalize on the fact that I can learn different things instead of just going into one area of study,” says Mohona Chakraborty, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)/Bachelor of Commerce.
Studying two degrees at once does require you to commit to extra time at uni, but it’ll help you launch into a career with two qualifications. Double degrees allow you to graduate a lot quicker than two separate degrees in as little as one or two additional years. But, if you’re driven to fast-track your degree, UNSW’s three-term calendar allows you to take nine courses per year and with an optional Summer Term so you can graduate sooner.
