What does Honours degree mean?

Asked by: Jordan Herzog  |  Last update: April 21, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (42 votes)

An Honours degree is a more advanced undergraduate Bachelor's degree, typically requiring higher academic achievement, more specialized coursework, and often a significant research component like a thesis or capstone project, making it more rigorous than a general degree and often a prerequisite for Master's or PhD programs. It signifies deeper study and analytical skills, usually resulting in classifications like First Class, Second Class (2.1 or 2.2), or Third Class Honours.

What is the equivalent of an honours degree?

Is a Postgraduate Diploma equivalent to an Honours Degree? Both qualifications are at NQF Level 8, but they are not the same. An Honours degree is more research-focused, while a PGDip is more practical. They carry the same level, but they prepare you for different paths.

What does an honours degree do?

The Bachelor Honours Degree is a qualification type that prepares graduates from the same discipline: • for a higher level qualification involving research, or • to advance the knowledge, skills and application gained in their Bachelor Degree, or • for professional practice for which higher level of learning outcomes ...

What does it mean if your degree is with honours?

What is an honours degree? In the UK, an "honours" degree indicates a higher level of achievement than an ordinary bachelor's degree. To obtain a degree with honours, you must complete a greater amount of credits throughout the duration of your studies than is typically needed for a degree without honours.

Is honours the highest degree?

First-Class Honours (70% and above): a first class degree, usually referred to as a 'first' or 1st, is the highest honours degree you can achieve. Upper Second-Class Honours (60-70%): there are two levels of second class degree. An upper second class, known as a 2:1 or two-one, is the higher of the two levels.

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE STARTING HONOURS | Research tips, thesis strategies & more

19 related questions found

What GPA is needed for an honors degree?

Graduation with University Honors

To be eligible for undergraduate honors at graduation, a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 for cum laude, 3.7 for magna cum laude and 3.9 for summa cum laude is required.

What is a degree without honours called?

A bachelor's degree can be an honours degree (bachelor's with honours) or an ordinary degree (bachelor's without honours).

Why does my degree say honours?

An honours degree is a specialization that you can add into your bachelor's degree that requires high academic standing and, typically, a thesis project (i.e. an original research idea that students present at the end of their degree).

What are the 4 types of degrees?

The four main types of college degrees, in ascending order of study, are Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral (or professional) degrees, each representing increasing levels of specialization and academic achievement, from foundational two-year programs to the highest research-focused qualifications.
 

What degree is lowest to highest?

The standard order of college degrees from lowest to highest is: Associate's Degree, followed by a Bachelor's Degree, then a Master's Degree, and finally a Doctoral Degree (or professional degree), with each level building on the previous one for deeper specialization and expertise. 

What GPA do you need for honours?

An "honors" GPA typically starts around 3.50, with higher tiers like Magna Cum Laude (great distinction) often requiring 3.70-3.80+, and Summa Cum Laude (highest distinction) usually needing 3.90-4.00, but these exact numbers vary significantly by institution and whether it's for high school or college. Many schools also use percentage ranks or have different GPA cutoffs for specific programs. 

How good is an honours degree?

In most countries where honours degrees are granted, they imply a higher level of achievement than a non-honours degree. In some countries (e.g. Australia), an honours degree may also involve a longer period of study than a non-honours degree.

Who qualifies for an honours degree?

Honours Degrees

The minimum admission requirement for an Honours degree is a Bachelor's degree with specific major subjects. Some programmes have additional admission requirements and the relevant department or the Faculty Office (Postgraduate Administration unit) needs to be contacted directly.

What are the disadvantages of honors?

Disadvantages of honors programs include a heavier workload, increased stress, potential for a greater negative GPA impact from a single bad grade, less time for extracurriculars, and sometimes added costs or requirements like a senior thesis, all while still needing to take standard courses at large universities and sharing resources with the general student body. Students might also face pressure to join or feel isolated, and some benefits can be minimal depending on the school. 

What's the point of an honours degree?

Honours is an extra year of study added to the end of your undergraduate degree. For your honours year, you must pose a research question and find a research supervisor. Studying an honours degree is an excellent pathway to postgraduate study and a career in academia or to demonstrate your independence to employers.

Can you do masters without honours?

If you do not have an honours degree, but after an RPL assessment process you are found to possess the knowledge and skills that are required of an honours student, you may then gain access to the master's programme.

What is a 7 year degree called?

Seven years of college typically leads to a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or other doctorate), often pursued after a Bachelor's and sometimes a Master's, involving intense research, comprehensive exams, and a dissertation, making it the highest level of academic attainment. It could also represent a very long path to a Bachelor's or Master's, perhaps with dual degrees or extensive general education requirements, but usually, 7 years signifies a doctoral program. 

What degree is most employable?

STEM degrees, especially in engineering, computer science, and mathematics, lead across all key employment metrics, offering low unemployment rates, high starting salaries, and long-term demand. Healthcare fields also rank highly, with nursing topping the list due to its exceptional job security and national demand.

What are the hardest college degrees?

CollegeVine's Top 10 Hardest Majors

  1. Chemistry. Average GPA: 2.9.
  2. Chemical Engineering. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
  3. Electrical Engineering. Average GPA: 3.3. ...
  4. Physics. Average GPA: 3.1. ...
  5. Architecture. Average GPA: 3.3. ...
  6. Nursing. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
  7. Accounting. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
  8. Cellular and Molecular Biology. Average GPA: 3.2. ...

What GPA is needed for honors?

An "honors" GPA typically starts around 3.50, with higher tiers like Magna Cum Laude (great distinction) often requiring 3.70-3.80+, and Summa Cum Laude (highest distinction) usually needing 3.90-4.00, but these exact numbers vary significantly by institution and whether it's for high school or college. Many schools also use percentage ranks or have different GPA cutoffs for specific programs. 

Is honours harder than bachelor?

The main difference comes down to depth. A bachelor's degree gives you a broad understanding of your subject. An honours degree, on the other hand, goes a level deeper—often including research work, specialised coursework, or a thesis.

Does your degree say if you graduated with honors?

Baccalaureate: Departmental and university honors are printed on the Transcript and the Diploma. Graduate: level honors "with distinction" for masters and doctoral degrees are printed on the Transcript but NOT on the Diploma.

Does it really matter if you graduate with honors?

Completing an honors program and/or earning honors distinctions can also enhance a student's academic resume, which can open future doors for them in their respective fields. Having that recognition on your student's diploma and resume not only demonstrates a commitment to excellence but dedication, as well.

Is a 4.0 GPA good in college?

Is a 4.0 GPA good? A 4.0 GPA is generally considered the gold standard for GPA. If your school uses unweighted GPAs, a 4.0 does mean that you have all As - in other words, perfect grades!

What's better, a BA or BS degree?

Neither a BA (Bachelor of Arts) nor a BS (Bachelor of Science) is inherently "better"; the superior degree depends on your career goals, as a BA offers broader liberal arts, critical thinking, and communication skills, while a BS provides deeper technical, quantitative, and specialized knowledge in a particular field, with the best choice aligning with your personal interests and future career path. A BS is often favored for STEM or research-intensive roles, whereas a BA suits careers needing adaptable, broad skills, though employers increasingly value the specific skills gained over the degree title itself.