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Single Subject Honours?

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  • 30-10-2011 11:32pm
    #1
    dr gonzo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭


    Im sure this has been asked before but is there a point really?

    Im in my third year of one and loving it but the reason i chose single subject is because i didnt want to divide my time when i knew exactly what course i wanted to do. However the structure of the course and the application to do it seems to put across the idea that single subject is somehow more prestigious e.g only single subjects do a dissertation in my particular course. Therefore im a little confused because essentially we're doing slighly more work for, what i assume, is the exact same degree?

    Is there actually a benefit beyond the cliche scenario where an employer cant decide between two candidates?

    By the way i dont say any of this out of annoyance, i love my course. I've just been thinking about this a bit lately.


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    #2
    Mardy Bum
    Registered Users Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Mardy Bum


    No real difference. You will get a BA the same as everyone else. The dissertation is a module like any other it doesn't make it more prestigious. Its just another one you have to complete to attain the degree similar to someone who is doing two subjects.

    Is the degree more valued by employers? Well it depends, you have specialised in one subject so if you are looking for a job that is directly related to the subject well yes obviously it would be preferred. Do jobs like this exist? Not really any more.


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    #3
    dr gonzo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭dr gonzo


    Yeh, this is pretty much exactly my thinking on it as well.


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    #4
    parker kent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,289 ✭✭✭parker kent


    dr gonzo wrote: »
    However the structure of the course and the application to do it seems to put across the idea that single subject is somehow more prestigious e.g only single subjects do a dissertation in my particular course. Therefore im a little confused because essentially we're doing slighly more work for, what i assume, is the exact same degree?

    Mardy Bum pretty much sums it up. I don't think that the dissertation is more prestigious. It is probably worth 10 or 15 credits but that is probably just a handy way to get people in a single major up to the total credits needed. It's not really any more prestigious than somebody in a double major.

    Basically you will do slightly more work in one subject and others will do slightly less work in that subject, but will even it out by doing another subject. Both have their merits and can be used however you want.


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    #5
    [Jackass]
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    I might have to switch from single subject to joint honours degree. Anyone care to suggest a good subject that goes with Economics? :o


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    #6
    beardedmaster
    Registered Users Posts: 614 ✭✭✭beardedmaster


    Statistics is a very popular one. Not sure if you can still do that combo though.


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    #7
    kkumk
    Registered Users Posts: 156 ✭✭kkumk


    dr gonzo wrote: »
    However the structure of the course and the application to do it seems to put across the idea that single subject is somehow more prestigious e.g only single subjects do a dissertation in my particular course.


    The dissertation is mostly useful if you're planning to carry the subject on to MA level (which single honours students are probably more likely to do than joint majors...?). For example to do a History MLitt, you need to have done an undergraduate dissertation, so it's important in that regard, or for learning about research skills etc, but I wouldn't say it's more prestigious. :rolleyes:


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