Structure

• Study Programme
• Subject choice
• Programme structure
• Joint Honours courses
• Breadth of Study
• Additional subject options
• Restrictions on combinations
• Awards
• Degree titles
• Post qualification opportunities
• Direct entry to Stage Two
• Advice and guidance

Study Programme

The study programme is divided into two stages:

Stage One is equivalent to the first year of full-time study and Stage Two is equivalent to the second and third years of full-time study. At Stage One you will choose a combination of up to 3 subjects and continue with 2 of these at Stage Two on either a major/minor route or a joint route.  You must ensure that your choice of subjects does not involve a timetable clash at either Stage One or Stage Two. See ‘Subject Choice’ for detailed information.

Subject choice

It is important to identify from the timetable diagram how your choice of subjects is reflected in the timetable for Stage One and Stage Two. Your initial choice of subjects must not clash on the Stage One timetable, and the subjects you wish to continue with at Stage Two must not clash on the Stage Two timetable. To avoid clashes on the Stage One timetable you must choose subjects each from a different group in the Stage One diagram: for example, you may choose to combine Economics (A1) and German (B2) and Geography (D2), but not Law and Computing and Education as these are all in D1. At Stage Two it is not possible to combine subjects that fall in groups with the same letter on the diagram, e.g. English Language & Linguistics (B1) and Sociology (B2) - both in column B at Stage Two.

Some students opt for more ‘traditional’ type subjects and combinations, such as History and Politics, whilst others make a very vocational choice taking combinations such as, for example, Health Studies and Counselling/Psychotherapy or English and Education.  Sometimes students choose to do subjects together simply because they fascinate, or because they have their own reasons for combining areas which do not, at first sight, seem to be natural ‘matches’ – for example, Fashion & Brand Promotion and Psychology.  Putting vocational subjects with the more traditional subjects can prepare you for work by developing skills that are sought by employers.

Programme structure

The Combined and Joint Honours Programme is based on a simple modular scheme which provides choice and flexibility and enables you to create a tailor-made programme of study. The full honours degree is made up of 18 modules, and you will normally complete 6 modules in each full-time year of study.  To keep your options open, you are allowed to study up to 3 subjects in Year 1 and drop one subject in entirety at the end of that year, continuing with your 2 main subjects at Stage 2. In years 2 and 3 you will weight your 2 main subjects in one of two ways: either, as a Joint programme (50/50), or as a Major/Minor programme (75/25).

Joint Honours courses

A selection of Joint Honours courses (ie where two subjects/disciplines combine to form your degree) has been suggested for your convenience and details are listed under subject headings. Your Joint Honours course will be made up of 18 modules and you will normally complete 6 modules in each full-time year of study. However, starting your studies on a joint degree does not mean that you are tied to balancing your subjects as 50/50. If you wish to pursue your subjects in years 2 and 3 as a major/minor route the flexibility of our modular programme allows you to do that.

Putting vocational subjects with the more traditional subjects can prepare you for work by developing skills that are sought by employers.  When you arrive at the University, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will assist you in finalising your programme of study.

Breadth of Study

If you opt to study three main subjects in Year 1 your programme already has sufficient breadth.  However, you will be able to select an ‘elective’ module in either Year 2 or Year 3.  If you opt to study only two main subjects on Year 1 you will be offered the possibility of studying a module which is designed to help you make the most of your subject choices and prepare you for academic success and your future career.     

There are over 500 elective modules to choose from and they allow you to design a small part of your course to reflect your interests and ambitions.  Some electives complement your main subject studies and some provide new skills eg. Information technology, languages. You may also elect to sample an entirely new subject area.

Additional subject options

As well as your main subjects, you may opt to select 'elective' modules in year 1, and you are obliged to choose one elective module in either year 2 or year 3. There are over 500 elective modules to choose from and they allow you to design a small part of your course to reflect your interests and ambitions.

Some electives complement your main subject studies and some provide new skills eg. information technology, languages. You may also elect to sample an entirely new subject area.

Restrictions on combinations

There are restrictions on certain combinations of subjects because of syllabus overlap. You cannot choose to study:  

• French and Business French
• German and Business German
• Business Information Systems and Computing
• Business ICT and Business Information Systems
• Business ICT and Computing
• Human Resource Management and Management
• Film & Media and Television Studies
• Social Policy and Citizenship
• Environmental Hazards and Environmental Management
  

A small number of subjects are only available as Minor routes.

Awards

At different stages of the course you will be eligible for different exit awards, ie Honours degree, Ordinary degree, Diploma in Higher Education and Certificate in Higher Education.  This allows you to exit the programme at specific points without losing the chance of a qualification.

Degree titles

Your degree title will reflect the content of your chosen programme of study. An equal balance of two subjects leads to a Joint degree - for example BA(Hons) English Literature and History.

If the balance of your programme is weighted towards one subject, the award will reflect a Major/Minor selection - for example BSc(Hons) Mathematics with Accounting.

Post qualification opportunities

We take the career value of your degree very seriously and Personal Development Planning (PDP) is an important theme throughout your studies.  There are opportunities to engage in PDP activities at both programme and subject specific levels. 

The Combined and Joint Honours Programme also offers a number of elective modules, some exclusive to Combined Honours students, which help you to get the best out of your programme of study and help you to plan your future.

Career areas available to you will very much depend upon your subject choices. However, the breadth of experience which you will gain on the course and the key skills which are integrated into the subject curriculum are a positive advantage in most careers, particularly the ability to collate and analyse information, to communicate and present ideas. Alternatively you may decide to pursue your study to postgraduate or professional level in a particular subject.

Direct entry to Stage Two

If you have already undertaken an HND or the first year of a degree, you may be eligible for direct entry to Stage Two of the programme. The route you choose must reflect closely your previous study experience since the procedure involves the granting of exemptions from specific subject modules. There may be a limited number of places available for direct entry to certain subjects and if you wish to apply for exemptions or transfer you should contact the University Admissions Office to determine your eligibility.

Advice and guidance

The Combined and Joint Honours team seeks to provide new and stimulating programmes of study and strives to offer the best levels of student support. Staff in the Combined Honours and Joint Unit also engage in curriculum development activity, consultancy and academic research. Further advice can be offered through the regular schedule of visit days and by booking an individual appointment.

Separate leaflets on each individual subject within the Combined and Joint Honours Programme are available from Course Enquiries 01772 892400 or the Combined and Joint Honours Unit 01772 893980 or on the web.

Information on the Combined and Joint Honours Unit can be found at www.uclan.ac.uk/combhons