Types of bachelor degrees: A complete guide to choosing the right one
After higher secondary results, the first thought that should cross your mind is where to pursue your ͏bachelor’s degree. This crucial moment in your life may shape your future. That’s why it's important to approach it with confidence and a clear understanding of your options.
There are plenty of bachelor’s degrees available, and they open doors to different career paths. Before selecting any of them, it is best to understand the types of bachelor’s degrees that are perfect for you.
What is a bachelor's degree anyway?
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities after you complete a course of study. Depending on the country and programme you want to pursue, it usually takes about three or four years of full-time study. Yes, it's a long commitment in terms of an academic degree.
Now, why would you invest that much time in a degree? For starters, a bachelor’s degree is often seen as a step towards higher education. Plus, it is a minimum requirement for most professional careers and your gateway to pursue different types of honours degrees.
Which type of bachelor’s ͏degree is perfect for you?
Bachelor’s degrees are tailored for specific fields of study. That’s not the end of it; as you will find out, these degrees often have their own subcategories. Seems challenging? Fret not; once you learn about the main types of bachelor’s degrees, the rest will be easy for you to understand.
Now, we will deconstruct the most common types of bachelor’s degrees and discover their field of study, the career paths, and why you should consider them.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is typically awarded in the ͏humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts. This degree is designed to enhance your critical thinking and communication skills while providing a broad understanding of various subjects.
Mainly, its core focus is on the humanities, social sciences,͏ and liberal arts. However, many BA͏ ͏programmes offer opportunities for specialisation or minors in other fields, such as business, science͏, or technology. This ͏can provide students with a more tailored education and open up͏ additional career ͏paths.
Fields of study: Common majors under a ͏BA degree ͏include English, History, Sociology, Psychology͏, Political Science͏, and Communications.
Career paths: BA graduates often pursue͏ careers in education, writing, public ͏relations, social work, and government. The degree also serves͏ as a strong foundation for those planning to attend graduate school in law, ͏education,͏ or other liberal arts disciplines.
Who should consider a BA?
If you have a passion for the arts, humanities, or social sciences and ͏enjoy exploring different perspectives, a BA might ͏be the right fit for you. It’s ideal for those who value a well-rounded education and a career that involves communication,͏ analysis, and͏ creativity.͏
Bachelor ͏of Business Administration (BB͏A͏)
The focus of ͏a ͏BBA degree͏ circles around business and management. You will get practical skills in finance, marketing, management, ͏and entrepreneurship. Most graduates find themselves equipped with the latest insights about the recent developments in this field.
Fields of study: ͏International͏ Business, Finance, Marketing͏, Accounting, ͏and Human Resources.͏
Career paths: A B͏BA degree opens doors to business management, marketing, consulting, entrepreneurship, and finance. It is ͏also a strong foundation for ͏pursuing advanced business degrees like an MBA. ͏
Who should consider a BBA?͏
Any individual with a keen interest in business, ͏management, consulting, finance, marketing, and͏ entrepreneurship. ͏It also ͏opens the door towards an MBA or other advanced ͏business degree.
Bachelor of Science (B͏S)
A Bachelor of͏ Science (BS͏) degree focuses on scientific, technical, and mathematical disciplines. It ͏involves developing analytical and quantitative ͏abilities related to science and technology.
For certain BS degrees, such as engineering ͏or nursing, graduates may need to͏ obtain professional licensure or certification͏ to practice in their field. The exact requirements for licensure may differ͏ based on the profession and the jurisdiction.
Fields of study: Common majors under a BS degree include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics.
Career ͏paths: BS graduates often find careers ͏in healthcare, engineering, information ͏technology, research,͏ ͏and environmental science. ͏The degree͏ is also a stepping stone for͏ those pursuing advanced degrees in medicine, ͏engineering,͏ or scientific research.
Who͏ should consider a BS?
A BS degree is the best choice for ͏those who have a strong interest in science, technology, and problem-solving.͏ It͏ requires working͏ with data, conducting experiments, and applying scientific principles to real-world problems.
Bachelor of Engineering͏ (͏BEng)
BE͏ng is͏ all about engineering principles and practices. It lays the groundwork ͏for students who want to pursue careers in civil, mechanical, ͏chemical, or electrical engineering.
Fields of study͏: Civil Engineering,͏ ͏Mechanical Engineering,͏ Electrical ͏Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.
Career͏ paths: The͏ demand for BEng graduates is high, as you can see ͏them working in fields such as engineering, construction, ͏manufacturing,͏ aerospace, and energy. Achieving it will prepare ͏you for advanced ͏studies in related fields.
Who should consider a BEng?
Students with a strong interest in mathematics, physics, designing, ͏solutions, ͏and technical problems.͏ It works͏ better if you are͏ passionate about innovation and love technology.
Bachelor of Fine Arts ͏(BFA)
The Bachelor͏ ͏of Fine Arts is a ͏professional undergraduate degree in the͏ ͏visual and performing arts͏. You will receive͏ intensive training and education in a specific artistic discipline.
Fields ͏of study: Common majors include Visual Arts, Dance,͏ Theatre,͏ Music, and Creative Writing.
Career paths: Those with BFAs often become͏ artists, performers, writers, or͏ designers. Many are also employed in entertainment, advertising͏, ͏or media production.
Who should͏ consider a ͏BFA?
͏Perfect for those who have͏ ͏fine arts as their͏ talent and want ͏to ͏work͏ in very specialised areas of͏ arts.͏ Professionals can also take advantage of the degree to refine their skills in their respective fields.
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Your dream of becoming an aspiring teacher can come true with a Bachelor of Education degree. Teaching͏ requires extensive knowledge and͏ skill sets, and a BEd could help you with that. It is specifically designed for those who want to be effective educators.
Fields of study: There is Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and Early Childhood Education as common majors.
Career ͏paths: ͏With͏ ͏a BEd, ͏you͏ can ͏become a teacher in elementary,͏ middle, ͏or high schools͏.͏ The option is͏ also open for educational ͏administration͏ or pursuing further studies in education.
Who Should Consider a ͏BEd͏?
Teaching requires passion and aspiration to work with children or young adults. It is ideal for those who are patient, creative, and dedicated to shaping the future through education. If you realise you have these skills, then a BEd is perfect for you.
Bachelor ͏of Laws (͏LLB)
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate academic degree in law. It͏ constitutes the essential education requirement to understand the law and pursue the ͏legal profession. In most countries, LLB is considered one of the most prestigious degrees.
Fields͏ of study: The ͏usual fields that are covered by LLB programs include Constitutional Law, ͏Criminal Law, Contract Law and International Law.
Career paths: LLB graduates often become barristers, lawyers, ͏judges, or legal consultants. The degree is also a stepping stone for those who͏ wish to pursue further studies in law or specialise in specific legal areas.
Who would consider an LLB?
Students who have a strong feeling ͏for justice, critical arguments, and ͏comprehension of the legal system. The LLB degree works best for students who are de͏tail-oriente͏d, analytical,͏ and interested in͏ pursuing ͏a career in law͏.
How to choose the right bachelor’s degree͏?
Choosing the͏ right bachelor’s ͏degree is a critical decision that can shape your future. Here ͏are͏ some tips͏ to help you make an informed choice:
͏Assess your interests and strengths: Reflect on the subjects you enjoy and excel in. Your interests and strengths should ͏guide your choice of degree.
Consider your career goals: Think about the type of career you want. Research the qualifications needed for that career, then pick͏ a degree that ͏fits those͏ requirements.
Evaluate the curriculum:͏ ͏Look͏ at the courses offered in the ͏programmes. Confirm͏ that͏ the curriculum coincides with your career interests and goals.
Think about the long ͏term:͏ Think about how ͏your degree will affect your long-term goals. Will it open ͏the door to͏ opportunities that help advance your career͏? Will ͏it prepare you ͏for further education if necessary?
Seek advice͏: Talk to͏ academic advisors, professors, and professionals in the field. They have valuable insights and help you make ͏an informed decision.
Consider the flexibility͏ of the degree: Some degrees offer more flexibility in terms of career options͏. If you are unsure of your exact career path͏, a more versatile degree may be a better choice.
End͏ note
Employer statistics worldwide paint a clear picture: a bachelor's degree carries a significantly higher weight than a regular school degree. It opens up opportunities for pursuing postgraduate degrees and PhD studies on different fronts.
Whether you're drawn to the arts, sciences, business, or͏ law, there’s͏ is a degree͏ out there that can help you achieve͏ your goals. Now that you have understood the types of bachelor's degrees, you can explore which path you want to take.
Remember to seek advice from experts who will help you in this academic journey. We believe that the͏ right information and careful consideration can help you achieve great academic success.͏