Before you finalise your preference list, I suggest you at least consider whether a double degree is right for you. There are some courses that aren’t offered as part of a double degree so this may not be relevant to you, but if your course is, there are a couple of reasons why I believe they’re a good way to go.

What is a double degree?

There are a few misconceptions about what a double degree is, so before we look at the benefits I want to make sure you know exactly what they are.

When you do a double degree, you end up with two qualifications, for example if you might do Commerce/Engineering and so you end up with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Engineering, meaning that you’re qualified to pursue a career in either field.

The double degree will take longer for you to finish than a single degree, but not as long as completing both degrees separately. So in this example, a Commerce degree is usually 3 years full time, an Engineering degree is usually 4 years full time, and the double degree will be 5 years full time.

The way it works is that you will complete all of the compulsory subjects that someone doing the single degree will study, but you won’t be able to do as many electives. That’s how they fit the two courses into the shorter time frame. You will still do the same amount of subjects per semester as someone completing the single degree, so you don’t need to worry about being overloaded throughout the semester.

Why are they worth considering?

Let’s look at the benefits of completing a double degree.

You get two qualifications

If you’re not 100% sure what you want to do, then a double degree is a great way to keep your options open. You get experience in two fields and are qualified to work in both, so at the end you have twice as many employment opportunities.

Alternatively, if you decide you don’t like one of the options, you can either still finish both knowing that you have another option up your sleeve, or you can drop one one of the degrees and finish the one you enjoy more sooner.

You can choose options that complement each other

There are some degrees that work really well together because the learning in one can be useful for the other degree (and vice versa). For example, you could choose to do Science and Engineering, and you could major in Environmental Science within your Science degree and Environmental Engineering within your Engineering degree. The extra knowledge and experience from your Science degree would support your learning in Engineering.

Other examples of this could be Arts and Law, Commerce and Global Studies or Nursing and Midwifery.

The two fields give you different perspectives

Having a double degree could make you more valuable to future employers. If you’re able to see things from different points of view, and you can communicate this well with your colleagues and add to discussions around decision making, then your knowledge in the second degree you studied will help you become an asset to the organisation.

For example, if you study Commerce/Engineering and you end up working for an Engineering company, your understanding of accounting and finance could help you make insightful arguments when it comes to deciding if a project should go ahead or if you’re calculating a budget for new machinery.

Whether you choose to do a double degree or not is completely up to you, however exploring this option now will at least lead you to making an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you.