A Brief on Higher Education – Under Graduation

March 2019

Under-graduate study is the next step after completing your high school. The Under Graduate level of study is usually a three or four year course. Studying an undergraduate program kick starts your professional career in the real sense. Students should preferably take up their under graduate studies at the age of 18. The first year of the UG program usually forms the foundation for the field you have chosen. The program advances as the years keep increasing.

Most common types of Undergraduate Degrees:

Bachelor's Degree:

A bachelor's degree also known as baccalaureate degree is an undergraduate degree which is awarded to the students by the colleges after the completion of the course which is usually of 3-4 years. Some of the most common forms of bachelor's degree are Bachelors of Science, Bachelors of Arts, Bachelors of Fine Arts, Bachelors of Engineering, Bachelors of Philosophy, etc.

Associate Degree:

Associate Degrees are shorter in duration than bachelor's degree. Those wanting to study after high school but for shorter duration must opt for an associate degree. It is also lower in cost as compared to a bachelor's degree. An associate degree prepares one to study an advanced program or secure moderate level of employment by providing basic technical and academic knowledge. The most common types of Associate degrees are Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, etc. The main focus of an associate degree is to prepare students for a bachelor's study.

Foundation Course:

A Foundation Course is very similar to that of an Associate Program. While Associate Degrees are very well known in the USA, in UK they are referred to as Foundation Programs. The one thing unique about foundation courses are that they can be studied either full time or part time. Foundation courses are mainly designed for international students who need the pre-requisite knowledge to take up their major field of studies.

Diploma Course:

Diploma courses generally last for 1-2 years duration. They provide basic theoretical knowledge about the subject in focus. After studying diploma, a student can either choose to study a degree course or look for employment. By studying a diploma course, students also receive practical training making them industry ready. A degree however holds more importance and value compared to a diploma course.

Undergraduate courses differ from country to country in various different aspects:

1. Undergraduate Degree in UK:

Students must know that all the undergraduate applications made in the UK are supposed to be made through UCAS, an institution that manages the complete application process of British universities. Undergraduate degrees in UK are 3-4 years long. Students wanting to pursue an undergraduate degree from the UK must have completed 18 years of age else they must have a guardian living in the UK. Courses like Engineering and Law and Management require 80-85% while Humanities, Arts, Social Science, and Computer Science require 70-80%. Students who have scored below 60% can opt for Foundation and Diploma courses. UK offers undergraduate degrees in the field of Business, Law, Computer Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Music and Arts, etc.

2. Undergraduate Degree in USA:

USA is a country that enables its students to study various other subjects along with their major field of study. To study an undergraduate degree in the US, international students must complete 10+2 years of education. The undergraduate programs in the USA are of 2 years and 4 years. Students appearing for an associate degree in the US must take the IELTS/TOEFL/PTE and those appearing for a bachelor’s degree must appear for SAT or ACT and TOEFL/IELTS/PT. The subjects offered by the US universities for undergraduate studies include Business Administration, Political Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Law, etc.

3. Undergraduate Degree in Canada:

Canadian institutes usually offer four year undergraduate programs. To pursue an undergraduate qualification from Canada, international students must hold minimum 12 years of education with a minimum of 70% in prominent examinations. Students must take the required proficiency tests like TOEFL/PTE and SAT/ACT in order to be eligible to study the undergraduate course in Canada. Popular undergraduate programs offered are Information Technology, Engineering, Business Management, Pharmacy, Medicine and Healthcare, etc.

4. Undergraduate Degree in Australia:

Undergraduate programs in the Australian universities last for a period of 3 and 5 years. Australia too requires its international students to complete 12 years of education. The two most common forms of undergraduate degrees are the bachelor's and honour's degree. The Australian universities don’t offer foundation programs to its students. Their undergraduate courses include Business Administration and Law, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics and Computing, Information and Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, Social Studies, etc.

Apart from the above mentioned countries, there are other countries too like New Zealand, Singapore, Germany, France, Italy, Malaysia, etc. which offer undergraduate degrees for similar courses. It is up to the students to choose the most suited study abroad destination for themselves to pursue an undergraduate education.

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Also read: Scholarships offered By UK Institutions To Deserving Students

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