What is an undergraduate degree?

What is an undergraduate degree? Or a bachelor degree? We explain ‘uni speak’ to help you decide what degree is right for you.

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An undergraduate degree is your usually your first taste of university education after you've completed high school.

In your undergraduate degree, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of specialised knowledge in areas as broad as Cyber Security, Fine Arts, Biology, Languages, Quantum Engineering, Teaching and Commerce. You'll graduate with a qualification that will open the doors in your desired sector. Your undergraduate study goes beyond the classroom. You'll have opportunities to develop a range of skills when you engage with some of our 300+ clubs and societies.

What is an undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate degree is the first step if you’ve never studied at a university level. You’ll to gain the necessary knowledge and skills you’ll need in your future roles. No matter what your career aspirations are, you can study a range of undergraduate degrees that will prepare you for your chosen career.

Postgraduate degrees on the other hand, are designed for people who already have an undergraduate degree and may have industry experience. These degrees build on the foundational knowledge you already have.

What is an undergraduate degree equivalent to?

An undergraduate degree is equivalent to a bachelor's degree. It’s usually the first step of higher education or tertiary education. Depending on the degree, if you include an honours year or choose to study a double degree, it typically takes 3-5 years of full-time study to complete. That is 3-5 years of 3 trimesters per year. The trimester system at UNSW typically means you can finish your degree faster or you can balance study and work more effectively. Many undergraduate degrees also give you the option of studying part-time.

How do I decide which undergraduate degree is for me?

You have a range of options when it comes to the type of undergraduate degree that’s right for you. The most common undergraduate degree is often a bachelor’s degree and there are hundreds to choose from depending on where you want to take your career. An undergraduate certificate, a double degree and a bachelor's degree with honours are also types of undergraduate degrees you can study after high school. Undergraduate degrees include foundational knowledge like research skills, critical thinking and professional skills for working in the real world.

Most undergraduate degrees include core subjects that give you a good educational basis for jobs in a range of fields, as well as electives or specialisations where you can tailor your degree to your career goals and personal interests.

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What are the types of undergraduate degrees?

The types of undergraduate degrees offered at UNSW are:

Bachelor’s degree: There are hundreds of bachelor's degrees at UNSW that will give you a comprehensive education as well as practical experiences and career coaching.
Bachelor’s degree with honours or Honours degree: Delve deeper into your chosen degree and learn higher-level research skills while learning additional material relating to your degree area. Honours shows employers you’re a committed student, and you have additional knowledge compared to other candidates who haven’t studied honours.
A double degree: despite the name, a double degree doesn’t mean double the time or workload. Double degrees allow you to combine your interests or carve out a unique career path based on what you care about. Double degrees ensure you stand out when you graduate and boost your employability thanks to your specialist skills.

An undergraduate certificate: An undergraduate certificate is shorter in duration than a bachelor’s degree (six months) so you can get a taste of undergraduate study in a particular area. It’s an introductory university qualification a level below a bachelor’s degree. After studying an undergraduate certificate, you can often transition to a bachelor’s degree if you’d like to complete further study. UNSW offers a few undergraduate certificates including an Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Science and an Undergraduate Certificate in Engineering.

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Why do an undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate degree takes your education that next step further and is designed to specifically prepare you for jobs related to your degree. You’ll learn professional conduct, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and how to present ideas and concepts. An undergraduate degree will give you the foundation for various career paths and enhance your knowledge and broader understanding of the world.

Undergraduate study is not just about your career outcomes. Studying at university gives you the freedom to choose specialised electives, take part in groups and societies and join clubs that spark your interest. ARC at UNSW offers a range of events such as Stress Less Week and over 300 clubs and societies for you to join. You’ll embark on a journey to delve deeper into your interests and passions and discover more about yourself, encountering like-minded people along the way.

You’ll get to learn with people from all walks of life gaining new perspectives and expanding your thinking. At UNSW we create the space for you to discover your uniqueness. We believe uni is where you begin to unearth what makes you tick. Hear from Design and Psychology student, Jenni Tyler about why she made the unique choice to study a Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Psychology.

Why is an undergraduate degree important?

An undergraduate degree is important and often necessary for people who haven’t completed any tertiary study because it will help you:

Develop specialised knowledge in a relevant field or area of study
Build on your critical thinking, a skill important in any job or sector
Gain the specific skills needed for diverse career paths.

UNSW Sydney has been named Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable University for five years in a row (Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024). Your undergraduate degree will open doors to professional opportunities and give you the personal development needed in the professional landscape.

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FAQs

Undergraduate describes the level of education you received after high school and before graduating with a university degree. It includes the time when you are studying for your degree and covers all the types of degrees available to school leavers or people who don’t have a tertiary education yet.

Undergraduate degrees include broader information in a variety of related areas while postgraduate degrees often involve choosing a specialisation or unique area of knowledge and doing a deep dive into that subject matter usually through a master’s degree.
An undergraduate certificate is the lowest level of tertiary (post high school) study you can complete. Undergraduate certificates are recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which can be applied to all degrees to offer a consistent rankings framework for tertiary qualifications.

An undergraduate certificate at UNSW takes just six months to complete with the option to move onto a bachelor’s degree. An undergraduate certificate gives you a taste of undergraduate study at a university and introduces you to the student life and learning style at a university. An undergraduate certificate is a great option if you haven’t fully made up your mind about undergraduate study or a bachelor’s degree.
After completing an undergraduate degree you have various options to choose from depending on your interests and career goals.

So you’ve finished your undergraduate degree. What’s next?

You can:

Pursue a professional role in your area of study.

Continue with advanced study which would be considered postgraduate study such as a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Master’s or PhD.

Become an entrepreneur! Start a business with help from UNSW resources such as the Founders Program or other start-up resources we offer.

Begin an internship to gain further experience on the job.
Yes! A bachelor’s degree is one type of undergraduate degree and typically the most common undergraduate study choice made by high school leavers. It gives you a great foundation for a range of careers and professions and also gives you the foundational knowledge and study skills required for university if your interests or career goals require you to complete a postgraduate degree as well.