joint honours dissertation

Theses for Joint Concentrations

In the last several years, we’ve experienced a marked increase in the number of joint concentrators, and, as all joints are required to write a thesis, a concomitant increase in theses that straddle disciplines.

Writing a thesis jointly with another department, if there is a compelling rationale for it, can be an immensely rewarding (and scholarly productive) task. However, doing so well is often challenging. This is because a joint thesis is not meant to pick-and-choose between topics and methods from two different disciplines, but rather is expected to meet the full disciplinary requirements of both departments.

If you are Gov primary, you will be expected to meet all Government Department requirements for a senior thesis (e.g., 80-120 page length, departmental submission deadlines). You will also need to register for, and successfully complete, both terms of Gov 99 in order to be eligible to submit your thesis for honors consideration. In all cases, you will have a primary thesis advisor in Government, as well as an additional advisor (or advisors) in your allied department.

If you are Gov allied, you will be expected to follow the requirements of the primary department, including submission deadlines (if the other department is not one we work with regularly, we will likely need to have a meeting between program coordinators to make sure everyone is on the same page). But you will have to have a thesis advisor in the Government Department to go along with your primary advisor.  However, you will not be expected to take Gov 99 unless the other department does not have an equivalent class for thesis writers (and even if they do, you’re more than welcome to audit Gov 99).

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Understanding honours

Honours is an additional qualification where you can build on your undergraduate studies by completing a supervised research project and disciplinary or research-focused coursework. This may be embedded in your undergraduate degree or require an additional year of study.

Overview and types of honours

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You can undertake honours through an appended honours degree after your undergraduate degree. Some professional or specialist degrees also have embedded honours study options.

Honours provides an opportunity to work on an independent but supervised research project and is usually completed as one year full-time study (some disciplines offer part-time options).

Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will choose a thesis topic, create a reading list and identify your method of research.

Academics in your faculty or school will provide supervision as you write your thesis. This thesis will document your research from proposal through to conclusion.

Why study honours?

Completing honours shows you have achieved high academic standards and gives you a Bachelor (Honours) qualification. 

An honours degree can open the door for further research study, equipping you with the prerequisite research skills to undertake a research degree such as the PhD.

Alternatively, if you decide to complete an honours degree without pursuing further research, you will graduate with a robust set of transferrable skills including:

• time management and research skills
• project management and delivery
• showing future employers that you can investigate independently and achieve more complex goals.

What’s involved

Generally, honours will consist of two components:

• an independent research project, under the supervision of an academic staff member
• additional honours units in research design and technical training.

You will usually complete a dissertation or thesis and attend regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss your research.

Once you complete the requirements for your honours, you will graduate with a Bachelor (Honours) degree.

You can contact the faculty or school honours coordinator from the area of interest you are considering, for more information about honours. We also hold honours information sessions (usually in September) where you can discuss your options.

Types of honours

The type of honours you undertake depends on your individual study circumstances.

Appended honours

Appended honours is an additional qualification that you complete after you have finished your undergraduate degree. Generally, appended honours is available to both current University of Sydney students and external applicants. You’ll find information and eligibility criteria for most appended honours degrees in Find a course .

As a current student, often you'll need to apply through Find a course in the same way that external applicants apply, but may also need to submit an additional application form to your school or discipline. When searching for these on Sydney Courses (Find a course) these degrees will look like the Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

If you enrolled in a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies program prior to Semester 2, 2024, and plan to apply for honours, we will advise you during your candidature of your appended honours degree options.

Embedded honours

Some bachelor’s degrees have an honours program embedded within them. You will complete your honours study during your current undergraduate degree by completing specific units. Honours will not increase the overall time taken to complete your studies.

Joint honours

Joint honours is when you complete one honours thesis in two subject areas closely related to each other. A special program of study is designed that allows you to complete the course concurrently in one year.

To apply for joint honours, you need to meet the eligibility requirements for both honours.

Contact the honours coordinator in your faculty or school to discuss your options.

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Between the Acts

Student blog from the faculty of arts & humanities at king's college london, the honours truth: what studying a joint honours degree is really like.

January 14, 2021 King's College London Joint Degrees , Student blog posts , Student Life , Undergraduate Study 0

Joint honours degrees differ slightly to your standard single honours degrees. As a joint honours student myself, I would like to discuss how joint honours will vary from single honours and what this type of degree entails.  

What is a joint honours degree?

A joint honours degree is essentially a degree that involves studying more than one subject as part of your course. This is obvious in the name of your degree, which will have either ‘and’ in the title or ‘with’, depending on how the course is split. ‘And’ courses are divided 50/50 between each subject, whereas ‘with’ courses are 75/25 with a major/minor element – this will be made clear to you with every course. For example, I study Classical Studies and Comparative Literature, so my degree is divided between them equally. This translates to studying the usual four modules per semester, whereby I have two in Classical Studies and two in Comparative Literature.  

Will my workload be larger?

Joint honours degrees might sound slightly more daunting than single h onours but don’t panic –  it’ s not twice the work! You  won’ t be leading separate lives for each of your subjects, and the difficulty level  isn’ t double either. Both departments will ensure you have a solid understanding of each subject through core modules. In fact, it’s likely that each of your subjects will inform the other and the skills you develop are   transferabl e , particularly in essay writing.  I’v e found that  it’ s not a case of completely switching mind-sets between my two subjects, especially since I use many of the same skills for both. With joint honours,  it’ s much less of a balancing act than you may thin k.   

Will a joint honours degree make me more employable?

If you’re concerned that joint honours degrees are less focused so you can’t  obtain enough knowledge for one specific career path, don’t worry! The reality is that studying more than one discipline can expose you to  more extensive  knowledge and  skill-sets , which in turn opens doors to new opportunities and more career paths. And I’ve found that if your heart isn’t set on a single career path after university, a joint honours degree can broaden your horizons, give you a fresh perspective and help you figure out what it is you want to do.  

What will I get out of studying joint honours?

Choosing a joint honours degree has granted me the variety and freedom in my studies which I had hoped for when coming to King’s. One thing I love about studying a degree like this, is that I’ve been able to meet so many more people from across my two departments, whilst developing an expansive range of skills. Choosing this degree also meant that I could create new opportunities for myself,  while  still keeping my options open.

Hopefully this blog has cleared up any misconceptions or worries about joint honours! So if you’re having trouble pinning down your favourite subjects to one single choice, a joint honours degree may just be the solution you’re looking for.

More information:

To read more blog posts about Arts & Humanities career options at King’s, click here

To see what courses King’s has to offer, click here

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Is a Joint Honours Degree Better Than a Standard Degree?

In University by Think Student Editor February 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

If you’re about to apply to university you may be wondering what the benefits are of studying a joint honours degree rather than a standard degree. This article will compare the two types of degrees while providing a list of advantages and disadvantages for each. Both degrees will be looked at in great detail, hopefully leading to many of your questions being answered so that you can make an informed decision on which degree is best for you.  

In theory a joint honours degree can be better than a standard degree if both subjects you combine link very closely. Employability could potentially increase because of your increased knowledge in multiple subjects. Balancing two subjects and a fully timetable demonstrates great time management which is skill employers value greatly.

Disclaimer: This article does not give the definite answer to whether a joint honours degree is better than a standard degree. This article is the opinion of a single student and shouldn’t be taken as fact. This article is designed to help your understanding of each degree and present the benefits of each so you can make the best decision for you.

Deciding the best degree for you may be challenging and it will require some research, but do not stress. I suggest that you continue to read this article, so that you can gain more useful information about each type of degree. 

Table of Contents

What is a Joint Honours Degree?

A joint honours degree allows you to study more than one subject by merging them together to form one single qualification . Contrary to popular belief, a joint honours degree will not typically take longer than a standard degree.  Regardless of which you choose a full-time degree will typically be 3 or 4 years.

When taking a joint honours degree, you have the option to study a subject you excelled at in sixth form college and combine it with a new unexplored subject. With this degree, you will be studying both subjects in an equal manner.  To clarify further, you study half of one subject and half of the other, side by side.  

Advantages of a Joint Honours Degree

A joint honours degree allows you to explore new subjects you have yet to study, whilst also being able to have the comfort of studying something that you are already passionate about. By studying two different subjects, it may help you stay entertained, as there will be a wider range of knowledge explored during your degree.

Studying a joint honours degree will inevitably give you more breadth in your set of skills since you are studying two different subjects.  It is likely that you will have more choice for modules and more options for jobs after you graduate. Even if you prefer one over the other that is not an issue. 

Another benefit would be the social aspect and opportunity to make friends at university maybe easier which doing a joint honour degree. This is due to the fact you’re studying multiple subjects, so you may get a wider variety of students on your course. You also may be in different areas of your campus which could increase the amount of people you interact with . It will also be refreshing to not permanently be in the same environment.

If you find that in your first year that you prefer one subject over the other then you can opt to do more modules in that subject, hence the joint honours degree gives you extra freedom.   

When it comes to writing a dissertation, you may find that doing a joint honour degree enables you to have more choice on what to write about, inevitably making your dissertation more interesting.

Disadvantages of a Joint Honours Degree

A disadvantage with opting for a joint honours programme is that you might feel torn between two faculties and struggle to balance your two subjects equally . You may favour one over the other and find trouble in dedicating your time between the two.  

In addition, your timetable may seem more fuller due to your focus being split on two subjects, as opposed to just one . You will likely have double the feedback sessions and often clashing deadlines that can result in feeling stressed and overworked.  Therefore, it is easy to then feel envious of single honour students since they only need to focus on their one subject.

There is a lot of background work you must do to make sure you understand the subject . You must also consider that buying books, resources, equipment, and stationery for both your subjects maybe become more expensive.

What is a Standard Degree?

A standard degree is where you study only one subject, or you study one major with a minor subject.  

When searching for different courses to choose you may come across one with the title that includes ‘with’, it is likely to be a major or minor degree, e.g., engineering with maths. In this example the major part the degree is engineering, so you will spend more time studying this than the minor part, which is maths in this case.  

Advantages of a Standard Degree

The advantages of studying a standard degree are self-explanatory. You will get to increase your skill set onto one subject which will help catapult your career after university if you choose to go onto that specific field . Having only one subject to focus is generally a lot easier than dividing your focus on two.

Disadvantages of a Standard Degree

You may feel like your options are limited by only studying one subject, especially if you have an interest in multiple subjects and can’t decide which to study. Also, you may feel drained and become resentful of your own passions once they start to feel like work and you associate them as being a chore. Students often report that after studying a degree they have a really good understanding on whether they like a subject or not. This can be a disadvantage of a standard degree because if you realise you don’t like a subject you don’t have another subject to distract you.

How to Choose Between Joint Honours and a Standard Degree?

Choosing one degree over the other does not hold any disadvantages, as it all depends on how you utilise either degree which determines the success of it.  

During applications you may find that they only accept a small number for the joint honours’ degrees due to the increasing demand and over subscription because as you can tell, it is a popular option.  

You might be wondering, which is more difficult to take,  but a joint honour degree will be the same exact workload as a standard degree . The number of modules you take will be the same as you are studying half of your two courses.  

You must ensure that your university provides you with much support if you are struggling to balance your subjects so that you do not feel over worked. However, a disadvantage may be that your teachers forget you are studying two different subjects, hence why the workload may seem like a lot at first which could be considered a disadvantage. 

Both degrees are considered pretty equal, especially in academic ability, so the main deciding factor is the subjects you have available to study.

How to Choose the Right Subject Combination for a Joint Honours Degree?

Your choices very much depend on what you are passionate about and what you thrive in. However, you should make your choices logically and with practicality. Your subject choices should preferably correlate with your aspired career.   

The two subjects do not have to be highly related, however I recommend that you choose subjects that are interrelated and overlap in some elemental way.   

You will have to be aware that by choosing a subject combination that is very different from each other, such as Maths and Art, may prove to be difficult. It would not make sense to choose them as they do not overlap. You may find an overwhelming workload as often your teachers may forget that you study another subject as well.  On the other hand, a good example would be choosing subjects like Psychology and Sociology. This would be a great combination as they link closely together.

Furthermore, it is vital that you do research regarding your subject choices so that they align with your career choices, this will help you get a job. You are unlikely to get a job in a bank with an Art degree but may get a job as an interior designer with an Art degree, so make sure you tailor your degree to your desired career path. 

Which Degree Do Potential Employers Value More?

When it comes to graduation, you may be pleasantly surprised that upon studying a joint honour degree, there might be more job opportunities obtainable based on the broadness of what you have studied.  

Therefore, a joint honours degree could duplicate your chances in the job market.  Employers constantly emphasise the significance of graduates to be adaptable and organised in a professional work environment .  

Joint honour students are rewarded with potentially more career options after graduation because of their contrasting skills obtained by studying multiple subjects.  The ability to switch between different types of work is highly valuable. The employability marker is progressively holding value on flexibility, so having the capability of dividing your time and fliting between two different subjects will pay off after you leave. 

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The frequently asked questions below have been compiled to support joint honours students at the University of Sussex in understanding their workload and how they will be assessed.

Yes. Single and joint honours students have broadly equivalent amounts of academic work and study hours.

All undergraduate students are required to secure the same number of credits overall to achieve their degree. In the case of joint honours students these credits are split equally between the two subjects being studied rather than the focus being on a single subject.

All undergraduate degree students must complete 120 credits each year (60 credits per term). These credits are achieved by studying modules which are blocks of 15 or 30 credits. A module of 30 credits is double the workload of a 15 credit module.

As a general rule, a single credit amounts to 10 hours of learning effort so in a 30 credit module you would be expected to undertake 300 hours of learning in total over the term. Over a 12 week term this amounts to an average of 25 hours per week and would include time spent attending lectures and seminars as well as independent study.

No. As all full-time undergraduate students study modules total 120 credits each academic year then you will have a comparable number of teaching sessions to single honours students studying the subjects which make up your degree.

However, the number of scheduled lectures and seminars will vary between subject areas according to the requirements of the subject. Your course handbook and timetable will describe the arrangements for your course in detail.

When scheduling assessments for single and joint honours students, the University aims to spread deadlines so that the clashes are avoided and students receive feedback in good time to prepare for the next assignment. However, assessments for different modules may sometimes fall due in the same week for both single honours and joint honours students. You will be made aware at the start of each module when any assignments are due to enable you to plan and manage your time. The Study Success at Sussex (S3) website has useful tips on getting organised and managing your time.

The Study Success at Sussex (S3) website has useful tips on getting organised and managing your time.

Exams and dissertations

Most courses require students to do a dissertation or research project in the final stage. Students on both single and joint honours degrees may do two dissertations either as a core requirement of the course or through selecting option modules which are assessed by submission of a dissertation. For details of what is required for your course you should refer to your course handbook.

Some courses will enable you to choose the subject in which you write your dissertation. This will be dependent on the core and optional module requirements of your course and could mean that you are able to write a dissertation in each subject that you are studying. For details of what is required for your course you should refer to your course handbook.

A dissertation would usually be confined to a single subject area but in discussion with your allocated supervisor you will able to select a topic within that subject that is of interest to you.

The University aims to ensure that students have no more than one examination per day. As far as possible the timing of examinations is restricted to mornings and afternoons on weekdays. However, the constraints of the examination periods and combinations of modules dictated by the curriculum require some examinations to be held outside those times (on Saturdays and Bank Holidays and in the early evening).

All students, whether joint honours or single hours will be assessed using a variety of different methods appropriate to the subject. Examples include essays, exams, presentations, lab reports and musical compositions. It is important to offer a range of assessment methods to enable students to practise and demonstrate a wide range of knowledge, understanding and skills. Your tutors will provide you with subject specific advice and guidance on assessment and you can also visit the Study Success at Sussex (S3) website which has some guidance about some of the most common types of assessments.

At the end of the academic year the Progression and Award Board (PAB) will confirm your marks for the year. The PAB also confirms your eligibility to progress to the next stage of your degree, or if you are at the final stage, whether you have met the requirements for an award and the classification of this.

Following the meeting of the PAB you will receive an individual mark for each of the modules you have completed and a single overall mark for the year known as the ‘stage mean’. Please see Examination and Assessment Regulations Handbook 2014/15 [PDF 1.34MB]  for more details.

There are three assessment periods for undergraduate students:

• Mid-year – between the autumn and spring terms before teaching begins
• End-of-year – normally in the summer term when students have completed all of their modules
• Summer vacation – this is for students who are re-taking any modules which they have failed during the year and is usually towards the end of August

Exams for modules for which teaching is delivered in the autumn term usually take place in the mid-year assessment period, and exams for spring term modules in the end-of-year assessment period. If you are studying a module which takes place across both the autumn and spring terms exams may take place in either assessment period.

The dates for each of the assessment periods are available at the beginning of the academic year. Exam timetables will be communicated before the end of each term.

When the draft exam timetable is released you should check this and inform the Student Progress and Assessment Office of any clashes.

If you wish to observe/attend religious festivals and holy days, or have a scheduled competitive sporting event, work placement or internship commitment in the designated assessment period that may clash with a scheduled exam you can make a formal request to the Director of Student Experience in your lead school of study, accompanied by a letter from the religious/sporting/placement event leader confirming your intention to observe/attend the event and the dates/duration of the event. The Student Progress and Assessment Office can take this into account when they are preparing the exam timetable. If it is not possible to accommodate this you will be offered an opportunity to be assessed in the summer resit period.

No. Single and joint honours students have an equal opportunity to gain a good degree. The University has processes in place to ensure that marking is carried out in a fair and reliable way. Moderation checks that marking has been conducted appropriately and is done both internally by faculty independent of the marking process and externally by the external examiner(s) appointed to the module. External examiners are independent academic members of staff from other UK Universities and enable the University to be confident that its assessment processes are comparable to other institutions in the UK.

 Modules/Electives/Study Abroad Year

Selecting a joint honours degree enables you to choose to study two subjects of interest to you. The full 120 credits of study per year are needed to enable the core curriculum requirements for your chosen subjects to be delivered in sufficient depth. Therefore the elective modules that single honours students can take are not available to joint honours students. However, your joint honours programme may enable you to choose from a range of option modules within each of your chosen subjects.

Any information which has been determined as crucial to you achieving the award will be covered in core modules which you must take as part of your course. You will only be assessed on the modules you are studying so you will not be expected to sit an exam on an area not covered in your teaching sessions.

Modules are often offered to more than one course of study which means that you may share teaching with both single honours and joint honours students from a number of different courses.

Some courses (American Studies and Languages) have an integrated Study Abroad Year embedded into a 4 stage course structure. A Study Abroad Year integrated into the course structure requires that the University guarantees all students on the course access to a Study Abroad Year.

All students on a 3 stage undergraduate course can apply to undertake a voluntary Study Abroad Year, with the exception of those whose course already includes an Integrated Study Abroad Year.

When considering a Study Abroad Year, you will be able to choose which subjects you study. This may be focussing on one of your chosen subjects, a combination of both or a different but related subject. Academic staff in your School will be able to advise you on selecting of modules. For more information about a Study Abroad Year or Term please contact the Sussex Abroad office [email protected] . 

 Academic support for joint honours students

As a joint honours student you will be based in the School which delivers the first named subject of your degree. However, you will encounter and have access to academic staff for both of your chosen subjects. All staff have office hours when they are available to meet with students and a number of them note their office hours on their web profiles or office doors. If office hours are not displayed, or you are unable to meet during those times due to other commitments please contact them by phone or email to arrange a suitable time to meet.

No. You will have one academic adviser based in your home School. However, your academic adviser will be familiar with your degree course and will be able to direct you to appropriate alternative sources of academic advice if required.

You will be offered an opportunity to meet your academic adviser at the beginning of the first term. Following the initial meeting you would normally meet with your academic adviser at least once per term.

You will meet other students on your course through induction events and ongoing attendance at lectures and seminars.

Each course at the University has a course convenor who is responsible for academic oversight of the course. For joint honours degrees there are two convenors, one for each of the subjects. The joint convenors will schedule termly meetings for all students on the degree, when you will have the opportunity to meet other students studying on your course.

Timetabling

You will be able to access your timetable via Sussex Direct before the start of each term.

Work is undertaken by the University to limit the number of lecture clashes, especially around core modules. You should contact your course coordinator if you find there are scheduling clashes on your timetable.

Teaching sessions should finish at 10 minutes to the hour. The primary purpose of this is to allow rooms to be vacated and prepared for the next teaching session so that they can start on time. This should provide time for you to get to another teaching session elsewhere on campus.

 General

No you will get a single degree but the title of the award will reflect the two subjects that you have studied e.g. BA (Hons) English and History.

You will study modules in both subjects each term.

Degrees with ‘and’ in the title e.g. BA (Hons) English and History indicate that the two subjects have been studied in equal weight. If the degree has a ‘with’ in the title more emphasis is placed on the first named subject which will account for 75% of the credits undertaken. For example, if you were studying BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Physics, 75% of the credits you study would be in the subject area of mathematics and 25% in Physics.

This is dependent on the type of degree you undertake. If you are studying on a joint major degree such as BA (Hons) English and History then equal weighting is given to each of the subjects. For students on a single major with minor pathway courses more attention will be given to the major subject. For example, if you were studying BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Physics, 75% of the credits you study would be in the subject area of mathematics and 25% in Physics. The time that you devote to each subject should mirror this split.

You will be provided with reading lists for each of your modules at the start of term. You can access reading lists via Study Direct or through the Library homepage. Accessing the reading list online will also enable to see how many copies of a particular book are available in the Library.

Reading lists may be very long and appear overwhelming but they will be split into sections that indicate essential or core reading, and further recommended reading. You are advised to purchase those texts which are essential but resources listed as further reading are there to guide your independent study so you can chose what you read from this part of the list.

Yes the qualification will be the same. Joint honours students will study for the same number of credits as single honours students but these credits will be shared amongst more than one subject. For example, a student studying joint honours Anthropology and Cultural Studies and a student studying single honours Anthropology would both be awarded a BA (Hons) qualification provided they passed all of their modules.

If you cannot decide on a single subject, choosing a joint degree allows you to pursue studies in two different areas that interest you studying core topics within each of the subject areas. Joint degrees are viewed positively by employers as you could develop a broader range of skills from two different subjects.

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Why I chose a Joint Honours Degree: Combining my passions…

…by Sophia / from the UK / studying History and Economics (MA)

One of the most challenging dilemmas many prospective university students face is deciding which subject to study. When I began my university application journey I faced this dilemma. I had studied varied subjects during 6th form had two distinct subjects that fascinated me greatly, History and Economics. On one hand, history interested me because it offers rich narratives, diverse cultures, and profound lessons from the past, helping us understand the complexities of human civilisation and the forces that have shaped our world. However, economics also captivated me with its analysis of how societies function and the impact of financial systems on our daily lives. Faced with the challenge of choosing between these two compelling fields, I found the perfect solution: pursuing a joint honours degree in History and Economics.

This decision has allowed me to explore both passions in depth, providing a comprehensive and enriching academic experience. In this blog post I will share some of the benefits of pursuing a joint honours degree and highlight why I think the decision to study two very different subjects offers unique opportunities for growth and learning.

1) Interdisciplinary Learning: Embracing the Intersection

One of the most significant benefits of pursuing a joint honours degree is the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning. By studying two distinct subjects simultaneously, I’ve had the chance to explore the intersection of history and economics, gaining insights into how these disciplines inform and complement each other. This interdisciplinary approach has enriched my understanding of complex issues, allowing me to analyse historical events through an economic lens and vice versa.

2) Flexibility: Tailoring My Degree

Another advantage of studying a joint honours degree is the flexibility it offers. Rather than being confined to a single field of study, I’ve had the freedom to tailor my degree to my interests and career aspirations. Wether exploring the impact of the economy on the environment and the formation of cities or exploring culture and the arts in 1960s Scotland, I’ve been able to explore diverse topics that captivate my curiosity and shape my academic journey. Additionally it gave me choice with my dissertation as I could do a history, economics, or economic history dissertation, further highlighting the flexibility of some joint honours degrees.

3) Diverse Skill Development: Fostering Versatility and Adaptability

My journey studying two distinct subjects simultaneously has given me a wide range of skills that are valuable in today’s job market. From honing analytical thinking and research abilities in history to refining communication and problem-solving skills in economics, I have developed a more versatile skill set. Additionally, by balancing the demands of two distinct subjects, I’ve honed my time management, organisation, and prioritisation skills, preparing me for life after my studies.

4) Networking Opportunities: Building Connection Across Disciplines

Engaging with faculty members, peers, and professionals from two different disciplines has provided me with invaluable networking opportunities. By building connections within two different schools at the University I have gained access to diverse perspectives, resources, and mentorship opportunities, enriching my academic experience and expanding my professional horizons. Whether collaborating on projects or participating in extracurricular activities, these networking opportunities have expanded my network and enhanced my overall university experience.

In conclusion, pursuing a joint honours degree in History and Economics has been a rewarding journey that has allowed me to combine my passions and develop a versatile skill set. From interdisciplinary learning to flexible tailoring of my education, this experience has prepared me for success in both academic and professional pursuits. Through networking opportunities and diverse skill development, I’ve enhanced my overall university experience and look forward to applying what I’ve learned in the future. If you would like to ask any questions about studying a joint honour degree please end me a message on Unibuddy and I would be more than happy to answer!

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24th June 2024

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• University Home
• Catalogue of Courses
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• Anthropology
• AT4047: Joint Honours Dissertation in Anthropology

AT4047: JOINT HONOURS DISSERTATION IN ANTHROPOLOGY (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04

• D escription
• A ssessment & Feedback

Course Overview

This course is open to joint honours students in anthropology. Having chosen a topic for their study, students will be allocated a supervisor and carry out readings, research and writing under the guidance of their supervisor. Students will write a 10,000-word dissertation based on library research.

Course Details

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

• Programme Level 4
• Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

What courses cannot be taken with this course.

• AT4036 Independent Studies in Anthropology (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course description.

Students will decide on a topic of study with their allocated supervisor and carry out readings and research around that topic under the guidance of their supervisor. On the basis of this research students write a substantial essay on which their assessment is based.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Summative Assessments

Learning Outcomes

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

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IR4795 Joint Dissertation (60cr)

Academic year.

2023 to 2024 Full Year

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

Scotcat credits.

SCQF level 10

Availability restrictions

Available only to students in the Second year of the Honours Programme, who have completed the Letter of Agreement, downloadable from (url to be confirmed). No student may do more than 60 credits in Dissertation or Project modules.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

Module coordinator

Dr A S Bower

Module description

The dissertation must consist of approximately 10,000 - 12,000 words of English prose on a topic agreed between the student and two appropriate members of staff (who act as supervisors). The topic does not have to relate to work covered in previous Honours modules, though it may be helpful to the student if it builds on previous work. The topic and range of sources should be chosen in consultation with the supervisors in order to determine that the student has access to sources as well as a clear plan of preparation. (Guidelines for printing and binding dissertations can be found at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign/dissertation/)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites.

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

As per Letter of Agreement.

Re-assessment

Learning and teaching methods and delivery, weekly contact.

Joint honours degree UK: a guide

If you’re considering a joint honours degree, but are unsure what it is exactly, we’ve unpacked all you need to know.

See what you could study at uni

What's a joint honours degree, how long is a joint honours degree, which universities offer joint honours degrees, how do you choose the right subject combination, what's it like to study a joint honours degree.

• Should you do a joint honours degree?  

A joint honours degree allows you to study more than one subject and combine them into a single qualification. For example, you could study a subject you excelled at in school or college, but combine it with a new subject.

With a joint honours degree you'll study each subject equally. When searching for courses, the title of a joint honours degree will appear with both subjects separated by an ‘and’, such as psychology and criminology.

If a course has ‘with’ in the title, it is a major/minor degree, e.g. criminology with psychology. You'll spend more time studying the major part of the degree (in this case, criminology) than the minor part. 

Learn about the different types of undergraduate degree available.  

A joint honours degree won’t typically be longer than a regular degree. You’ll find that studying full-time, the degree will be either 3 or 4 years, depending on the university and the course. The length will also depend on whether you choose to do a placement year. 

Most universities offer joint honours degrees, ranging from arts and social sciences to STEM subjects.

Every university will approach its joint honours degrees differently. Most will offer dual subject degrees but some even stretch to three, when it then becomes known as a 'combined' degree.

Be sure that you thoroughly research which universities offer the two subjects you are interested in. You can use Whatuni’s  to see what’s available and make a shortlist.

Search courses on Whatuni now.  

This depends on your individual preferences and passions. You’re more likely to thrive when studying two subjects you’re interested in, but be practical when choosing your subjects.

Jen, who studied drama with social care at the University of Winchester , told Whatuni, "At the time of deciding on my degree, lots of people were telling me I shouldn't just do drama as a practical subject and I needed to think about employability skills – pretty boring for an 18 year-old!

"I really enjoyed both sides of the course, they were very different courses but I found them both interesting. With social care I got to choose my modules and specialise in children and families. I liked the variety of courses offered and I’m now a drama teacher, and use aspects from them both."

It’s also worth considering subjects that complement each other well.

Grace took Spanish and linguistics at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol . "They [UWE] didn't offer single honours linguistics courses, so I chose Spanish as it's complementary to the linguistics side and I had always been good at language," she says.

Use our Career Matcher to find your ideal career so you pick the perfect joint honours course.  

Simon studied English, media and cultural studies at UWE. When asked about his experience, he said, "I really enjoyed doing my joint honours degree. The university was well organised and there were no timetable complications, which is something I was expecting.

"I think studying two subjects has given me a wider set of skills than a single English or media course would have. I was able to choose the modules that interested me, and with two subjects it meant my timetable was varied and it kept me interested.

"It also gave me the opportunity to meet a wider range of people. Those studying poetry or media production, for example, are pretty different, so being able to meet and study with them was another big plus." 

Should you do a joint honours degree?

This is entirely up to you. Studying a joint honours degree is ideal if you’re tossing up between studying two different subjects. It gives you the chance to take a subject you love, while exploring a subject you don’t know so well. Upon graduation, you may also find that there are more job opportunities available to you based on the breadth of what you’ve studied.

Ida is the Interdisciplinary Programmes Manager at the University of Sheffield . She maintains that, "In an increasingly complex career environment, a multi-subject degree offers students flexibility and a wide range of skills, academic experience and learning opportunities.

"Graduates of these degrees can demonstrate a range of competencies, adaptability and abilities in a number of areas. This is excellent preparation for employment in a range of areas as well as postgraduate study."

Before deciding to study a joint honours degree, do your research. Find out what universities offer the degree, whether they cover the topics you’re interested in and what the entry requirements are.

Find a joint honours course

Read more about choosing a university course

There are loads of excellent courses available for you to study at unis across the UK

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Courses you might like

Combined Honours BA (Hons)

Combined Studies BSc (Hons)

Combined Honours with a Year Abroad BA (Hons)

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• Your ambitions
• During your study
• After you graduate

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• Joint honours

Economics is a flexible subject with its ‘fingers in many pies’. What is really good about this is that you are very likely to find an area which specifically interests you, allowing you to study it in more detail.

If you’d like to do Economics with another subject, a Joint Honours might be the answer. Joint Honours are offered at the bachelor level and allow students to study two subjects together . These are usually split 50:50 so half of your time will be spent studying each subject. However, check with the institution as some offer major/minors which mean 75% of your time will be spent on one subject and 25% on another.

Joint honours allow you to study and explore two different subjects. Single honours students will explore one subject but with a wider berth. For example, if your institution operates under the idea that each degree title will teach six different modules per year, a single honours student would do all six in economics whereas a joint honours student would do three in economics and three in their other subject area.

So what are the drawbacks? A joint honours student won’t have the same choice as a single honours, some modules may have pre-requisites that you couldn’t study, your knowledge will be the same as single honours students but only in the modules you have studied.

And the benefits? By choosing a joint honours scheme you can have a firm insight into two different areas and will often approach each subject a little differently from other, single honours, students. Subjects which are closely related will often tie into one another, for example if you chose to do Economics and Finance your financial knowledge would certainly help with your economics.

The malleability of economics allows it to be combined with many different subjects. Some of the more popular ones are:

• A foreign language

What about a dissertation ? It seems a long way off to you now but a dissertation is an important part of a degree. In most institutions that offer joint honours, a dissertation will be an option rather then a mandatory component. This means you may be able to opt to do no dissertation at all or one for your chosen area.

However, this is where economics comes into its element as it is applicable to so many subject areas. If your dissertation analysed different political UK leaders in the twentieth century, economics would be paramount. If you were analysing a new marketing scheme for a firm, its benefits would be measured economically. If you were analysing environmental constraints on farmers, economics would be key. Incorporating the two aspects of your degree into one dissertation is made a lot easier if economics is one of your chosen subjects.

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• 4 Benefits of Doing a Joint Honours Degree

You may be thinking about whether to study a joint honours degree, but certain misconceptions about them could be holding you back. For example, it is often said that future employers prefer a focus on one subject, or that studying two will be more work than a single honours degree. I study English and Philosophy at the University of Nottingham, and this article will explore the benefits that I have discovered through studying two subjects. This will be helpful for people who are unsure about whether to study a joint honours course, or anyone who is interested in the benefits of them!

1) You can study two subjects you enjoy in depth

2) You can avoid modules you don’t like

3) You meet more people

4) You’ll have more choice for your dissertation

Emily is an English and Philosophy student at the University of Nottingham. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, reading and swimming. She also has an interest in writing, particularly reviews on films and shows that she has seen.

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Teaching Matters blog

Promoting, discussing and celebrating teaching at the university of edinburgh, spotlight on joint honours degree: a student’s perspective.

In this ‘ Spotlight on Joint Degrees’ post, student Isabelle Sher reflects on her experience of studying as a Joint Honours student at The University of Edinburgh….

I am a second year Joint Honours student, studying English Literature and History. From the outset of my studies, I assumed that, as a Joint Honours student, I would be studying both disciplines in equal measure. However, as my first year progressed, I found myself reflecting more and more on this point. What did it mean to give equal time to both degree disciplines when the courses were structured so differently? More importantly perhaps, why did the expectations of each school contrast so dramatically from one another?

Don’t get me wrong. For the majority of the year, I was pleased (by and large) with the course content and the way in which the two degrees slotted together. But if I was to describe the structure of my degree in the barest terms possible, I would say it felt like a single Honours in English Literature with additional History modules.

The opportunity to take subjects outside of your core degree was one of the fundamental reasons I applied to The University of Edinburgh, and taking courses outside of my two schools has repeatedly demonstrated just how much of an identity each school has. Whilst I believe it is crucial that schools maintain their identity, I find myself questioning how conducive that is to Joint Honours students from different disciplines. I found myself smiling whilst reading the content of Dr Chris Perkins’s blog post on this subject. “Mishmash”, as he put it, quite accurately depicts the difficulty of navigating these different schools.

So, thinking forward about how the issue of structure and ‘belonging’ might be addressed, I make the following points:

Personal Tutor (PT) System

I was assigned an English Literature PT, who I’m pleased to say has been absolutely amazing. However, I was never consulted about whether or not I would have liked to have had my PT in the History department. If this isn’t an option, then can my degree really be joint ?

Think of it this way, if I decide that I would like to do my dissertation in History, then it might very well have been useful for my PT to have been a historian.

What would I propose ?

Provide the student with the option to have their tutor in either subject from the outset, and perhaps the option to switch for second year if they feel it would benefit them, or if they sense they would like to head in that subject area.

The Dissertation situation

I’ve always understood that I may do my dissertation in either English Literature or History. But as someone who has distributed my study time pretty equally in both areas, it saddens me that I am unable to combine them both. I love both my subjects, and the thought that I will have to choose one over the other is really sad!

Start a conversation about how different schools might facilitate collaboration between joint honours subjects for the dissertation. Sure, it would make things a little trickier, but imagine the value and insight that could be gained!

Differing attitudes between the schools

To re-emphasise, this is more about liaison issues.

What would I propose?

Design a document highlighting the key ways courses are structured in each department throughout the years of the course. An example would be that in Years 1 and 2 for History, the Historian’s Toolkit and Historiography are compulsory courses. Years 1 and 2 for English are one prescribed course (rather than individual modules). Both options are great. But it is confusing.

After saying all this, I do feel it’s important to emphasise the benefits of a Joint Honours course. It’s a real opportunity for students to become totally engrossed in two subject matters, and through doing so, open their eyes to gaining a greater understanding of where their academic passion really lies.

Isabelle Sher

Isabelle Sher is a second year student reading an English Literature and History Joint Honours. She is a Lloyds Scholar and Committee Member/Columnist for the HCA Journal ‘Retrospect’. She loves visiting Scottish Castles and writing novels.

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Got a question about going to uni in the UK? Want to find out more and speak to others about their course/uni? Not sure if you can eat something that's been loafing in your fridge for 3 weeks, and gone a dubious shade of purple-green? This is the place for you. If you want to post a survey for your dissertation, please make sure your post includes all information required by the rules linked in our wiki!

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