What, if any, is the difference between a degree and a BA hons History ? This is an open university degree.?

Question

Can anyone tell me also if a BA hon History, or BA hons Humanities degrees are any good when it comes to finding work. Would employees consider them as a legitimate qualification?

Answer 1

I think an OU degree is more highly regarded by employers than some gained from more traditional establishments. An OU degree shows that someone has had the self discipline to study at home, unsupervised, at degree level, with less contact/support than they would get at a normal university, and have probably done so whilst working full time as well.

They are most definitely legitimate qualifications, and are recognised by other universities, for example, if you have already completed two foundation courses with the OU, you may find you are able to complete your studies at a normal university and can enter direct into the second year.

Degrees are made up of 'credit points' gained from each component/course completed. The credit points gained from an OU course are transferable to other educational establishments and vice versa.

Likewise, once you have your OU Degree, you would be able to apply to other educational establishments if you so wished, to progress to MA; Doctorate etc. Although you can also study at higher levels with the OU too, if you so wished.

I have just gained my OU Degree, and I intend to progress it to an Honours Degree. My only word of caution would be to avoid studying any course in it's first year of presentation with the OU as I have just done.

Answer 2

A BA Hons is a type of university degree. Honours (Hons) indicates a higher level than a straightforward pass degree. Most major universities in England prepare their undergraduates for honours degrees - it goes without saying, so don't worry about it.
Obtaining a good university degree is a big help in demonstrating your intelligence to employers, however if you specifically want to get a degree to help with getting a job, I would recommend thinking hard about what work you would like to do (what activities do you already enjoy doing, and how could those be turned into gainful employment?) and then choosing a subject which will qualify you specifically to do that work. Alternatively just choose the subject you love, but try to get work experience while you are studying. That will help you later to get a job. No degree will guarantee you a job.
good luck - Natasha.
PS Try the book 'What Colour is Your Parachute?' It's excellent.

Answer 3

An honours degree is a degree of a recognised, higher standard. Most bachelor's (first) degrees in this country are honours degrees - usually divided into first class, upper second (2:1), lower second (2:2) and third class honours.

When I was at University, if you failed the exams at the end of any year, the best you could do was a "pass" (ie non-honours) degree.

Some employers would require a degree - and an honours degree would be slightly more highly regarded than a pass one. Even if it's not strictly relevant to the job (which History or Humanities would rarely be), some employers like it because it shows a certain level of intellectual capacity and discipline.

Answer 4

A BA Hons History is a *type* of degree. It's like asking what's the difference between food and chocolate - chocolate is obviously a type of food.

Degrees in general are useful in looking for work as they show you have been educated to a certain level, can stick at something for several years, are reasonably intelligent, etc. Most professional-level jobs these days require some sort of degree.

Answer 5

I got a BA Hons in English. I went to work for a Chartered Accountant, because it was a job that required a graduate, but it didn't matter in what subject. Accounts and me didn't mix! Now I work in a high street travel agents, as the highest qualified member of staff! I would say my degree has not helped me at all, but there are some employers who want graduates , no matter what in (like accountancy) and if you are happy there you will be ok. I wasn't, and couldn't find anything else.

Answer 6

Bachelor of Arts or bachelor of Science. Then there is a degree and honours degree and a masters degree. These are pre and post grad degrees.
However to confuse things some universities give BA degrees for Science subjects eg Psychologies. .... all very confusing.

xxB

Answer 7

Of course they would. A degree shows that you have studied to a certain level and are capable of analytical and cognitive processes that others might not be able to perform so well. It depends very much which line of work you are persuing as to their relevance.