Combined degrees & employability: a comparative analysis of single and joint honours graduates of UK universities.
Journal article
Authors | Pigden, L. and Jegede, Francis |
---|---|
Abstract | Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the popularity and number of combined or joint degrees in English and Welsh Universities. Combined or joint honours represent 10% of all undergraduates. 50,000 out of 500,000 currently enrolled on all honours degrees. This significant and special way of learning therefore warrants scrutiny. Combined degrees enable students to enroll on two or more subjects, with varying levels of integration of the courses, which leads to either a BA or BSc honours joint award. The growing number of students on such degrees across universities in England and Wales has led to a debate as to the intrinsic value of such degrees especially in relation to graduate employability and career opportunities. This paper examines the nature and relative attractiveness of combined degrees and explores the employability of combined honours degree graduates in comparison with single honours degree graduates. |
Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the popularity and number of combined or joint degrees in English and Welsh Universities. Combined or joint honours represent 10% of all undergraduates. 50,000 out of 500,000 currently enrolled on all honours degrees. This significant and special way of learning therefore warrants scrutiny. Combined degrees enable students to enroll on two or more subjects, with varying levels of integration of the courses, which leads to either a BA or BSc honours joint award. The growing number of students on such degrees across universities in England and Wales has led to a debate as to the intrinsic value of such degrees especially in relation to graduate employability and career opportunities. This paper examines the nature and relative attractiveness of combined degrees and explores the employability of combined honours degree graduates in comparison with single honours degree graduates. | |
Keywords | Joint Honours Degree; Employability; Combined honours |
Year | 2016 |
Journal | West East Journal of Social Sciences |
Publisher | West East Institute |
ISSN | 21687315 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/621167 |
hdl:10545/621167 | |
Publication dates | Aug 2016 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 15 Dec 2016, 10:09 |
Series | WEJSS-AUGUST-1603 |
Contributors | University of Derby |
License | 2016 West East Institute |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/93234/combined-degrees-employability-a-comparative-analysis-of-single-and-joint-honours-graduates-of-uk-universities
Download files
80
total views36
total downloads2
views this month1
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs

Educational advantage and employability of UK university graduates
Pigden, L. and Moore, Garford 2019. Educational advantage and employability of UK university graduates. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-10-2018-0101
Exploring educational advantage in the UK via graduate employment of joint honours degrees by examining pre-university tariff and degree classification
Pigden, L. and Moore, Garford 2019. Exploring educational advantage in the UK via graduate employment of joint honours degrees by examining pre-university tariff and degree classification. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-07-2019-0093Thematic analysis of the learning experience of joint honours students: their perception of teaching quality, value for money and employability
Pigden, L. and Jegede, Franc 2019. Thematic analysis of the learning experience of joint honours students: their perception of teaching quality, value for money and employability. Studies in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1661985
Understanding the educational needs of joint honours degree students in a post Brexit United Kingdom higher education sector.
Pigden, L. and Jegede, Francis 2018. Understanding the educational needs of joint honours degree students in a post Brexit United Kingdom higher education sector. PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2018.41.383404
Employability outcomes for university joint honours graduates.
Pigden, L. and Moore, Andrew Garford 2018. Employability outcomes for university joint honours graduates. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-11-2017-0088Understanding the educational needs of joint honour United Kingdom higher education sector.
Pigden, L. and Jegede, Francis 2018. Understanding the educational needs of joint honour United Kingdom higher education sector. PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2018.41.383404
Understanding the lived experiences of Joint Honours graduates: how can educators best enable student success?
Pigden, L. 2017. Understanding the lived experiences of Joint Honours graduates: how can educators best enable student success? International Journal of Arts and Sciences (IJAS).Does subject choice in a joint jonours degree affect highly skilled graduate employment?
Pigden, L. and Moore, Garford 2017. Does subject choice in a joint jonours degree affect highly skilled graduate employment? PUPIL: International Journal of Teaching, Education and Learning.
Elderly persons' mobility situation and use of public transport in England and Wales. A logistic regression analysis.
Jegede, Francis 1995. Elderly persons' mobility situation and use of public transport in England and Wales. A logistic regression analysis. Population Association of America.
The integration of rail and air transport in Britain
Stubbs, John and Jegede, Francis 1998. The integration of rail and air transport in Britain. Journal of Transport Geography. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0966-6923(97)00039-2
What can we do to prevent a repeat of Paris in the UK?
Jegede, Francis 2015. What can we do to prevent a repeat of Paris in the UK?
Economic interdependence in a globalised world - the effects of Greece's financial crises on Derbyshire businesses
Jegede, Francis 2013. Economic interdependence in a globalised world - the effects of Greece's financial crises on Derbyshire businesses.
The politics of migration in the UK from an artist's perspective - a conversation place No. 6, with a French artist Chris Dugrenier on migration and dance streamed live on May 5, 2015
Jegede, Francis 2015. The politics of migration in the UK from an artist's perspective - a conversation place No. 6, with a French artist Chris Dugrenier on migration and dance streamed live on May 5, 2015.
Political discontent and the 21st Century's threats to global peace, security and human progress
Jegede, Francis 2016. Political discontent and the 21st Century's threats to global peace, security and human progress. Proceedings, International Conference on Diplomacy and International Relations, University of Derby.
Population, resources and development / 2nd. Ed.
Chrispin, Jane and Jegede, Francis 2000. Population, resources and development / 2nd. Ed. Collins Educational.