Double Degrees

Some schools call them conjoint degrees and others call them dual or double degrees. The interesting question is, to what degree do these simultaneous degrees help a student to excel in their chosen field? Common Undergraduate double degrees include engineering and economics, engineering and business program such as business and computing. Common postgraduate double degrees are juris doctor/business master, master of arts/politics, urban planning, economics or international relations but there are no set bounds. Students can, with permission, opt to combine any two degree choices and schools, either independently or in tandem with another school, may offer any number of choices in a given year. Some universities even provide dual PhD/MBA degrees. Here are some of the pros and cons of doing a double degree:

Pros

• You get two degrees in just slightly more time than it would normally take to get one
• These can be taken between two schools, including schools in different countries meaning degrees from two different nations
• Looks pretty good on a CV
• Potential access to two schools' career services and alumni networks
• Future employers will see you as being able to fulfil two valuable roles within a company
• Provides the opportunity to specialize in two disciplines that may help reach specific career goals

Cons

• A hefty workload
• Additional tuition and book fees
• An extra year of study
• In some cases having two degrees won’t add value to a future employer, for example when you apply for a job in engineering that does not involve commerce and you have a conjoint physics/economics degree
• Recruiters from big firms which invest significantly in staff development may look down on applicants with joint degrees
• Some pundits argue  that students should focus on improving class rank rather than chasing down a second degree

Undertaking a double degree is hard work but there are obviously a number of benefits. That is especially true for students with very specific career goals in which a conjoint degree will be advantageous. Some people just love to study!