Joint Honours vs Single Honours Degrees: Which Should You Choose?

Should you concentrate on one subject at university or combine two subjects in a joint honours degree?

For some students, the decision is simple. They have one clear academic interest and want to explore it in as much depth as possible.

For others, choosing only one subject feels unnecessarily restrictive. They may enjoy two subjects equally, want a broader university experience or be interested in a career that draws on several areas of knowledge.

Both single honours and joint honours degrees can be excellent choices. The right option depends on your interests, preferred way of learning, career plans and the way each university structures its course.

This guide explains the differences between joint honours and single honours degrees, including their advantages, possible disadvantages and the questions you should ask before applying.

What Is a Single Honours Degree?

A single honours degree focuses mainly on one academic subject.

Examples include:

• BA History

• BSc Psychology

• BSc Mathematics

• BA English Literature

• BSc Computer Science

• BA Politics

You may still be able to take optional modules from other subject areas, but most of your course will be based within one main discipline.

A single honours degree usually allows you to build a broad understanding of the subject before specialising through optional modules in later years.

For example, a single honours history student may begin with several historical periods and then choose more specialised modules as the course progresses.

What Is a Joint Honours Degree?

A joint honours degree allows you to study two subjects as part of one degree.

Examples include:

• English and History

• Politics and Economics

• Psychology and Criminology

• Mathematics and Computer Science

• French and International Relations

• Philosophy and Theology

• Business and Marketing

The two subjects may be divided equally, but this is not always the case.

Some courses use a roughly equal structure, while others give more weight to one subject. Universities may describe these courses using terms such as:

• Joint honours

• Combined honours

• Dual honours

• Major and minor

• With another subject

The exact meaning can vary between universities, so always read the course structure carefully.

Joint Honours vs Single Honours Degrees: What Is the Main Difference?

The main difference is the breadth and depth of your studies.

A single honours degree usually offers:

• Greater depth in one subject

• More specialist module choices

• A clearer academic identity

• More opportunities to study advanced areas within the discipline

A joint honours degree usually offers:

• Greater breadth across two subjects

• More variety

• Opportunities to connect different disciplines

• A wider combination of knowledge and skills

Neither structure is automatically better.

The best choice is the one that matches what you want to study and how you want your degree to develop.

How Are Joint Honours Degrees Structured?

Joint honours courses can be organised in several ways.

Equal joint honours

You study both subjects in roughly equal proportions.

For example, you might complete half of your credits in history and half in politics.

Major and minor structure

You study more of one subject than the other.

For example, you might complete approximately two-thirds of your course in English and one-third in creative writing.

The exact balance will depend on the university.

Flexible combined honours

You may be able to choose from a range of approved subject combinations and adjust the balance between them.

These courses can offer considerable flexibility, but you should check how module selection works in practice.

“With” degree

A course title using the word “with” may indicate that one subject has a greater weighting.

For example, “Business Management with Marketing” may contain more business management than marketing.

However, naming conventions are not identical at every university. The module and credit breakdown is more important than the wording of the course title.

Advantages of a Single Honours Degree

You Can Study One Subject in Greater Depth

A single honours course usually gives you more opportunities to explore specialist topics within one discipline.

This can be valuable if you:

• Have one clear academic passion

• Want to develop advanced subject knowledge

• Are considering postgraduate study

• Need particular modules for a future career

• Want maximum choice within one department

For example, a single honours psychology degree may offer more optional modules across areas such as social, cognitive, developmental or biological psychology than a joint course involving psychology.

You May Have More Optional Modules

Joint honours students often need to complete compulsory modules in both subjects.

This can leave less room for optional choices.

Single honours students may have more freedom to specialise or build a course around their developing interests.

Before applying, compare:

• The number of compulsory modules

• The number of optional modules

• Which options are available in later years

• Whether popular modules have limited places

The Course Structure May Be Simpler

Single honours students usually belong mainly to one department.

This can make it easier to understand:

• Module selection

• Timetables

• Assessment expectations

• Academic support

• Departmental communication

You are also more likely to study alongside the same group of students across several modules.

You May Develop a Stronger Subject Identity

Studying one subject can make it easier to become involved in the academic community surrounding it.

You may have more opportunities to:

• Attend department events

• Work with specialist staff

• Join subject societies

• Take part in research

• Build relationships with students on the same course

This can be particularly useful if you are considering postgraduate study or an academic career.

Professional Accreditation May Be More Straightforward

Some professional bodies recognise or accredit particular degree courses.

A single honours course may be designed specifically to meet those requirements.

A joint honours degree may also be accredited, but you should never assume this.

If accreditation matters for your intended career, check the individual course carefully.

Disadvantages of a Single Honours Degree

You Have Less Academic Variety

Studying one subject for several years may feel restrictive if you enjoy a wide range of topics.

Although optional modules can provide variety, they will usually remain connected to the same main discipline.

You May Have to Give Up Another Strong Interest

If you enjoy two subjects equally, choosing one may feel difficult.

You may still be able to study the second subject through optional modules, university societies, language courses or activities outside your degree, but this is not guaranteed.

Your Skills May Be Concentrated in One Area

Single honours degrees still develop many transferable skills, but a joint course may expose you to a wider combination of methods.

For example, a joint degree might combine:

• Essay writing and statistical analysis

• Language learning and political research

• Scientific investigation and computer programming

• Creative practice and business strategy

However, breadth is only valuable if both subjects genuinely interest you.

Advantages of a Joint Honours Degree

You Can Continue Studying Two Subjects You Enjoy

A joint honours degree can be ideal if you have two strong interests and do not want to abandon either one.

This may be particularly appealing when the subjects complement each other.

Examples include:

• Politics and Economics

• History and Archaeology

• Mathematics and Computer Science

• English and Creative Writing

• Psychology and Criminology

• Languages and International Relations

The combination can help you examine ideas from different perspectives.

You Can Develop a Broader Skill Set

Different academic subjects often use different methods.

A joint honours student might develop:

• Written communication

• Data analysis

• Research skills

• Critical thinking

• Language skills

• Technical knowledge

• Presentation skills

• Creative problem-solving

For example, studying economics and politics might combine quantitative analysis with essay writing and evaluation.

This broader skill set can be useful when applying for careers that do not require one specific degree subject.

Your Degree Can Reflect a Specific Career Interest

Combining subjects may help you build knowledge relevant to a particular industry or career area.

Possible examples include:

• Computer Science and Business for technology management

• Politics and International Relations for policy-related careers

• Psychology and Education for work involving learning or development

• Languages and Business for international organisations

• Media and Marketing for communications careers

A joint degree does not guarantee a particular career, but a thoughtful combination can support your longer-term plans.

Read Choosing a Degree Based on Your Career [Choosing a Degree Based on Your Career] for more guidance.

You May Enjoy More Variety

Moving between two subjects can make your studies feel more varied.

You may work with:

• Different teaching styles

• Different types of assessment

• Several academic departments

• A wider group of students

• Different kinds of evidence and research

This variety can be motivating for students who enjoy switching between different topics and tasks.

You Can Explore Connections Between Subjects

Some of the most interesting ideas sit between traditional academic disciplines.

A joint honours course may help you examine how subjects influence each other.

For example:

• How politics affects economic decisions

• How psychology relates to criminal behaviour

• How technology changes business

• How literature reflects historical events

• How languages connect with culture and identity

This interdisciplinary approach can lead to original ideas and strong research projects.

Disadvantages of a Joint Honours Degree

You May Study Less of Each Subject

Because your time is divided between two areas, you may not reach the same depth in either subject as a single honours student.

You may miss specialist modules that you would have taken on the single honours version of the course.

This matters most when:

• One subject is your clear priority

• You want to pursue specialist postgraduate study

• A career requires particular modules

• Professional accreditation depends on course content

You May Have Less Module Choice

Joint honours students often have compulsory requirements in both subjects.

This can reduce the number of optional modules available.

For example, you may need to complete:

• Core methods modules in subject one

• Core theory modules in subject two

• A joint dissertation or final project

Once these requirements are included, there may be limited space for additional options.

Always look at the full module structure rather than assuming you can choose freely from both departments.

Timetabling Can Be More Complicated

Studying across two departments can sometimes create timetable challenges.

Universities normally design approved combinations to work together, but optional modules may occasionally clash.

Ask the university:

• How timetable clashes are handled

• Whether all listed module combinations are possible

• Whether joint honours students receive priority for required modules

• What happens if preferred options run at the same time

You May Feel Divided Between Two Departments

Joint honours students sometimes feel that they do not belong fully to either department.

You may have:

• Different academic tutors

• Separate department communications

• Events happening at the same time

• Different assessment rules or expectations

This experience will vary considerably between universities.

At an open day, ask current joint honours students how well the departments work together.

Assessment Styles May Change Frequently

Variety can be an advantage, but it can also be challenging.

One subject may use essays and presentations, while the other uses examinations, coding tasks or statistical reports.

You will need to adapt to different:

• Referencing systems

• Writing styles

• Assessment criteria

• Research methods

• Department expectations

Some students enjoy this variety. Others prefer the consistency of one discipline.

A Joint Honours Degree Is Not Necessarily Easier

Studying two subjects does not mean completing half of each degree at half the difficulty.

You are still completing a full university workload.

You may also need to:

• Learn the terminology of two disciplines

• Follow two sets of academic conventions

• Manage deadlines across two departments

• Switch regularly between different types of thinking

A joint honours course can be intellectually rewarding, but it requires organisation and flexibility.

Joint Honours vs Single Honours: Quick Comparison

Factor	Single honours	Joint honours
Number of main subjects	One	Two
Depth	Usually greater depth in one area	Broader study across two areas
Module choice	Often more options within one subject	May be limited by compulsory modules in both
Variety	More consistency	Greater variety
Departments	Usually one main department	Usually two departments
Assessment styles	Often more consistent	May vary considerably
Timetabling	Usually simpler	Can be more complicated
Specialist knowledge	Stronger focus on one discipline	Less depth in each discipline
Transferable skills	Strong subject-specific development	Potentially broader skill combination
Best suited to	Students with one clear main interest	Students with two strong interests

Is a Joint Honours Degree More Employable?

A joint honours degree is not automatically more employable than a single honours degree.

Employers may value the breadth of knowledge and skills that a joint course develops. However, employability depends on much more than the degree title.

Employers may also consider:

• Your degree result

• Relevant work experience

• Internships

• Technical skills

• Communication skills

• Extracurricular activities

• Leadership experience

• Your ability to explain what you have learned

A joint honours degree can be valuable when the subject combination makes sense for the role.

However, a single honours student with strong experience and clear evidence of relevant skills may be equally or more competitive.

Read How Much Does Your Degree Subject Matter? [How Much Does Your Degree Subject Matter?] for a broader discussion.

Does a Joint Honours Degree Look Better to Employers?

Most employers will not assume that a joint honours degree is automatically better or worse.

What matters is how you present it.

Be ready to explain:

• Why you chose the combination

• What knowledge you gained from each subject

• How you managed different types of work

• Which transferable skills you developed

• How the combination relates to the role

For example, a student studying English and Business might explain how the course developed both persuasive communication and commercial awareness.

The degree title becomes more useful when you can connect it clearly to your experience and future plans.

Does Joint Honours Affect Postgraduate Study?

A joint honours degree can lead to postgraduate study, but entry requirements vary.

A postgraduate course may require:

• A minimum degree classification

• A certain number of credits in the relevant subject

• Particular research methods

• Specific undergraduate modules

• Evidence of subject knowledge

If you already have a specialist postgraduate course in mind, check its requirements before choosing your undergraduate degree.

A single honours course may provide more specialist preparation, while a joint honours course may still be suitable if it includes enough relevant content.

Can Joint Honours Degrees Be Professionally Accredited?

Some can, but not all are.

Professional accreditation depends on the exact course content and the requirements of the relevant professional body.

A joint degree involving psychology, engineering, computing or another professionally recognised area may not carry the same accreditation as the single honours version.

Never assume that a subject name in the degree title guarantees accreditation.

Check:

• The university course page

• The relevant professional body

• Whether accreditation applies to your specific subject combination

• Whether optional module choices affect eligibility

This is particularly important if accreditation is needed for your intended career or further training.

Can You Drop One Subject From a Joint Honours Degree?

Some universities may allow students to transfer from joint honours to single honours, particularly during the early stages of a course.

However, this is not guaranteed.

A transfer may depend on:

• Available places

• The modules you have already completed

• Your academic performance

• Department approval

• The timing of your request

• Visa or funding implications

Do not apply for a joint honours course on the assumption that you can easily drop one subject later.

Read Can You Change Course After Starting University? [Can You Change Course After Starting University?] for more information.

Can You Add a Second Subject Later?

Some universities allow students to take optional modules from another department or transfer to a combined course.

Again, this will depend on the university, course structure and available places.

Ask about flexibility before accepting an offer.

How to Decide Between Joint Honours and Single Honours

Use the following process to compare your options.

Step 1: Decide Whether You Truly Want to Study Both Subjects

Ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy both subjects equally?

• Would I be disappointed to give one up?

• Am I interested in university-level study in both?

• Have I read the compulsory modules for each subject?

• Am I choosing two subjects because I am genuinely interested or because I cannot make a decision?

A joint honours degree should be a positive choice, not simply a way of postponing a difficult decision.

Step 2: Compare the Module Lists

Look at the joint honours course alongside both single honours versions.

Check:

• Which compulsory modules are included

• Which modules are removed

• How many optional choices you receive

• Whether modules from both subjects are available every year

• How the final-year project works

You may discover that the joint course excludes modules you particularly wanted to study.

Alternatively, the combination may offer exactly the variety you are looking for.

Read How to Choose the Right Degree Course [How to Choose the Right Degree Course] for a complete course comparison process.

Step 3: Check the Subject Balance

Do not rely only on the course title.

Find out:

• How credits are divided

• Whether the balance changes each year

• Whether one subject is treated as the major

• Whether you can adjust the balance later

• Which department manages the course

A course described as joint honours may not always be split exactly equally.

Step 4: Compare Assessment Methods

Check how each subject is assessed.

One side of the degree may involve:

• Essays

• Presentations

• Examinations

• Group work

The other may involve:

• Laboratory reports

• Statistical analysis

• Portfolios

• Practical projects

Decide whether this variety suits you.

Step 5: Investigate Accreditation

Check whether professional recognition applies to:

• The single honours course

• The joint honours course

• Your exact subject combination

• Your chosen optional modules

Do this before applying if accreditation is important to your career plans.

Step 6: Consider Your Career Plans

Ask:

• Does my intended career require a specific degree?

• Does one subject matter more than the other?

• Would greater depth be useful?

• Does the combination support a particular industry?

• Will I need postgraduate study?

• Are particular modules required?

If your career requires specialist training, the single honours course may be more suitable.

If you are considering broader graduate careers, either route may work well.

Step 7: Attend Open Days

At an open day, ask:

• How are the subjects divided?

• Can I change the balance?

• How many optional modules can I take?

• Are timetable clashes common?

• Which department provides academic support?

• How does the final-year project work?

• Is the course accredited?

• Can students transfer to single honours?

• What do joint honours graduates do next?

Try to speak to a current joint honours student. They can give you useful insight into workload, organisation and department support.

Joint Honours vs Single Honours Decision Scorecard

Score each option from one to five.

Factor	Single honours	Joint honours
Interest in course content	/5	/5
Access to preferred modules	/5	/5
Assessment methods	/5	/5
Career relevance	/5	/5
Professional accreditation	/5	/5
Flexibility	/5	/5
Academic variety	/5	/5
Opportunity to specialise	/5	/5
Likely motivation	/5	/5
Overall fit	/5	/5

The scores should support your decision, not make it for you.

Give extra importance to the factors that matter most for your plans.

Who Should Consider a Single Honours Degree?

A single honours degree may suit you if:

• You have one clear academic interest

• You want to study a subject in maximum depth

• You want a wide choice of specialist modules

• You are considering specialist postgraduate study

• Professional accreditation is important

• You prefer consistent teaching and assessment methods

• You want to belong mainly to one department

Who Should Consider a Joint Honours Degree?

A joint honours degree may suit you if:

• You have two strong academic interests

• You enjoy variety

• The subjects complement each other

• You want to develop a broader skill set

• You are comfortable moving between departments

• You can manage different types of assessment

• The combination supports your career interests

• You have checked that the module structure suits you

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Joint Honours Degree

Assuming both subjects are divided equally

Always check the credit balance.

Looking only at the course title

Read the complete module list and course structure.

Assuming you can choose any module

Compulsory requirements may limit your options.

Ignoring professional accreditation

The joint course may have different recognition from the single honours version.

Choosing joint honours because you cannot decide

You should want to study both subjects, not simply avoid making a choice.

Assuming you can drop one subject later

Transfers are not guaranteed.

Failing to compare the single honours courses

You need to understand what content you may be giving up.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Single Honours Degree

Assuming it will be narrow or repetitive

Many single honours courses offer a wide range of optional modules and specialisms.

Choosing only because it seems safer

A single honours degree is not automatically more employable.

Ignoring your second interest

Explore whether you can take optional modules, language courses or extracurricular opportunities in another subject.

Failing to check course flexibility

Some single honours programmes are highly flexible, while others contain many compulsory modules.

Final Checklist Before Choosing

Before selecting a single or joint honours degree, check that you have:

• Read the full course description

• Compared the joint and single honours module lists

• Checked the subject balance

• Reviewed compulsory modules

• Counted the available optional choices

• Compared assessment methods

• Investigated timetable arrangements

• Checked professional accreditation

• Researched postgraduate requirements

• Considered your career plans

• Attended an open day or online event

• Spoken to current students

• Asked about changing course

• Compared graduate destinations

• Chosen the structure that fits your interests

Frequently Asked Questions About Joint and Single Honours Degrees

Is a joint honours degree harder than a single honours degree?

Not necessarily, but it can involve additional organisational challenges. You may need to adapt to two departments, different assessment styles and separate academic expectations.

Is a single honours degree more respected?

No. Employers and universities assess the relevance of the degree, your results, your experience and the skills you have developed.

Is joint honours less detailed?

A joint course usually provides less depth in each individual subject because your credits are divided between two areas. However, it offers greater breadth.

Can I do a master’s degree after joint honours?

Yes, although some postgraduate courses require specific modules or a minimum number of credits in the relevant subject.

Do joint honours degrees take longer?

Most joint honours undergraduate degrees are designed to take the same amount of time as comparable single honours courses. Check the individual course details, particularly where placements or study abroad years are included.

Do you get two degrees from a joint honours course?

Usually, you receive one degree with both subjects named in the title. It is not normally the same as completing two separate full degrees.

Can I combine any two subjects?

No. Universities offer approved combinations based on course structure, timetabling and academic requirements.

Does the order of the subjects matter?

It can. Some universities use the order, or words such as “and” and “with”, to show how the subjects are weighted. Check the credit breakdown rather than relying on the title alone.

Can a joint honours degree be accredited?

Some joint honours courses are accredited, but others are not. Check your exact course and subject combination.

Which is better for employment?

Neither route is automatically better. Employability depends on your subject knowledge, skills, experience, degree result and how well you present them to employers.

Final Thoughts: Joint Honours vs Single Honours Degrees

The choice between joint honours and single honours comes down to depth, breadth and personal fit.

Choose single honours if you want to concentrate on one subject, access more specialist modules and build greater depth within one discipline.

Choose joint honours if you genuinely want to study two subjects, enjoy academic variety and value the chance to connect different areas of knowledge.

Do not decide based only on the course title.

Compare the modules, subject balance, assessment methods, accreditation and career implications of each option.

The best degree structure is the one that keeps you interested, supports your goals and gives you the university experience you want. 🎓