Navigating university options can be overwhelming, especially when encountering terms like “honors degree” with seemingly endless variations. Many students face confusion about how many types of honors degrees exist and which one might best serve their academic and career goals. This uncertainty can lead to misaligned educational choices that don’t maximize your potential or meet your career aspirations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the different types of honors degrees available in 2025, their unique characteristics, and how to determine which path aligns best with your academic strengths and professional ambitions.
Before examining how many types of honors degrees exist, let’s clarify what makes a degree an “honors” qualification in the first place.
An honors degree is an undergraduate academic award that signifies a higher level of achievement and academic rigor than a standard or ordinary degree. Typically, honors degrees require:
The term “honors” (or “honours” in British English) indicates that the degree program maintains elevated academic standards and provides enhanced intellectual challenges for students. However, the specific meaning and structure of honors degrees vary significantly across different educational systems worldwide.
When exploring how many types of honors degrees exist, we can identify five primary categories that encompass most programs globally:
Each type offers distinct advantages and challenges, catering to different learning preferences and career trajectories. Let’s explore each in detail.
Single honors degrees represent the most common and traditional honors pathway, focusing intensively on one academic discipline throughout the duration of study.
Single honors degrees best suit students with a clear passion for one subject who wish to develop deep expertise in a specific field. This approach particularly benefits those targeting careers requiring specialized knowledge or planning to pursue postgraduate research in the same discipline.
One graduate of a BSc (Hons) in Biology explained: “My single honors degree allowed me to explore every aspect of my field in remarkable depth. By my final year, I was working on research alongside academics that directly led to my current lab position.”
Joint honors degrees (sometimes called combined honors) allow students to study two different subjects with approximately equal weighting.
Joint honors degrees suit students with strong interests in two distinct fields who don’t want to sacrifice either passion. These programs particularly benefit those seeking careers in emerging interdisciplinary fields or roles requiring versatility across different knowledge domains.
As one joint honors graduate noted: “My Economics and Spanish degree gave me a competitive edge when applying for international business roles. I understand both the financial models and the cultural nuances of Spanish-speaking markets.”
Major/Minor honors degrees provide a primary focus on one subject while allocating a smaller portion of study time to a secondary discipline.
Major/Minor honors degrees suit students with a clear primary academic interest who want to enhance their prospects with complementary skills. This approach particularly benefits those seeking to differentiate themselves in competitive job markets or whose career goals cross disciplinary boundaries.
“My Psychology major with Statistics minor gave me both the theoretical understanding of human behavior and the quantitative skills to analyze research data,” explained one recent graduate now working in market research.
Integrated Masters honors degrees combine undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single, extended program.
Integrated Masters honors degrees suit academically strong students committed to their discipline who want to streamline their path to an advanced qualification. These programs particularly benefit those planning careers in research, specialized technical roles, or fields where a masters-level qualification provides a significant advantage.
“My integrated MEng meant I could progress smoothly from undergraduate to masters-level engineering without interruption,” said one graduate now working in aerospace design. “The continuity allowed me to develop a more sophisticated final project that directly impressed my current employer.”
Liberal Arts honors degrees provide a broad, interdisciplinary education with honors-level academic expectations and opportunities.
Liberal Arts honors degrees suit intellectually curious students who value breadth of knowledge and transferable skills over early specialization. These programs particularly benefit those interested in careers requiring adaptability, critical thinking, and communication across different domains of knowledge.
“My Liberal Arts honors degree allowed me to combine philosophy, politics, and economics while maintaining the rigor of an honors program,” explained one graduate now working in public policy. “I developed a unique intellectual framework that helps me approach complex problems holistically.”
Beyond the types of honors degrees based on subject configuration, it’s important to understand the classification system that indicates the level of academic achievement within honors programs.
In the UK and many Commonwealth countries, honors degrees are classified as:
| Classification | Typical Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| First Class (1st) | 70%+ | Highest level of achievement |
| Upper Second Class (2:1) | 60-69% | Strong academic performance |
| Lower Second Class (2:2) | 50-59% | Satisfactory honors performance |
| Third Class (3rd) | 40-49% | Minimum honors classification |
In the US and some other countries, honors distinctions often follow this pattern:
These classifications appear on your degree certificate and transcript, providing employers and graduate schools with a standardized measure of your academic achievement.
When considering how many types of honors degrees exist globally, it’s important to recognize significant variations between educational systems:
Understanding these differences is essential when comparing international qualifications or considering studying abroad.
With so many types of honors degrees available, selecting the right path requires careful consideration of several factors:
Ask yourself these key questions:
Remember that many universities offer opportunities to adjust your path during the first year if your initial choice doesn’t feel right.
Application criteria often vary between different types of honors degrees:
Understanding these differences can help you tailor your application strategy to maximize chances of admission to your preferred program type.
Different types of honors degrees can influence your career trajectory in various ways:
According to a 2024 employability study, while all honors degree types show strong employment outcomes, differences emerge in career progression patterns. Single honors graduates often advance faster in specialized technical roles, while joint honors graduates show greater career adaptability and more frequent successful sector changes.
The prestige of a degree depends more on the institution, your classification (First, 2:1, etc.), and the relevance to your career field than on whether it’s single, joint, or another honors type. All legitimate honors degrees represent significant academic achievement.
Many universities allow switches between single and joint honors programs during the first year, though policies vary. Switching to or from integrated masters typically depends on academic performance. Always check specific institutional policies.
Employer preferences depend entirely on the sector and role. Technical and scientific positions often favor single honors or integrated masters in relevant disciplines, while sectors valuing versatility (like media, business, or public policy) may appreciate joint or liberal arts honors degrees.
Single honors dissertations typically explore one discipline in depth. Joint honors students usually choose to focus their dissertation on one of their subjects or pursue an interdisciplinary topic. Integrated masters require more advanced research projects, often with greater independence.
Single honors programs typically follow consistent teaching approaches within one department. Joint honors students experience different teaching methods across departments. Liberal arts honors often feature more discussion-based seminars. Integrated masters progressively shift toward independent research.
Most international universities recognize all types of UK honors degrees, focusing more on the institution’s reputation and your classification than the specific honors type. However, for specialized postgraduate programs, relevant single honors or integrated masters degrees may have an advantage.
Understanding how many types of honors degrees exist and their distinct characteristics is essential for making informed educational choices. Whether you thrive on the depth of single honors, the versatility of joint honors, the strategic combination of major/minor, the advanced study of integrated masters, or the breadth of liberal arts honors, each path offers unique advantages for different learning styles and career aspirations.
The ideal honors degree type aligns with your academic strengths, intellectual curiosities, and professional goals. By carefully evaluating these factors alongside the specific offerings of different universities, you can select an honors program that provides both academic fulfillment and career preparation.
As the employment landscape continues to evolve, employers increasingly value both specialized expertise and interdisciplinary versatility. All honors degree types can lead to successful outcomes when chosen thoughtfully and pursued with dedication. The key is matching your choice to your personal strengths and ambitions rather than following prescribed paths.
Ready to explore specific honors degree options? Contact our advisors at London de International to discuss how our diverse program offerings can align with your academic interests and career goals.
