To choose or not to choose a joint honours? That is a hard decision. Our contributors reflect on why they chose to go down the joint route and how they feel towards it in the new academic year.
Words by Haris Hussnain
IÔÇÖm a third-year student who studies Sociology and History. In college I wasnÔÇÖt sure If I wanted to go to university. My teachers and family told me to pick what I enjoyed so I picked Sociology and History. I was hesitant at first to choose a joint honours course because I wasnÔÇÖt sure how they worked. But, with some persuading from teachers it became my first choice. IÔÇÖm looking forward to writing my dissertation and undertaking my other modules. IÔÇÖm also looking forward to being back in the classroom atmosphere. Many joint honours degrees are odd combinations. But mine is unique in the sense that I donÔÇÖt think there was a previous cohort and the course hasnÔÇÖt run for new students in a year. The subjects might be similar but the workload requires more time management and discipline which a lot of employers seemed to like when I got interviewed for internships. Truthfully, I think most of the opportunities IÔÇÖve had are due to skills that every joint honour student acquires from their course. I do well at times of pressure because I juggle lecture and seminar clashes which is something a single honours person doesn’t experience.
Words by Molly Openshaw
Having just completed my joint honours Undergraduate Degree in English Literature and Language, I feel compelled to narrate my experiences. I chose this degree, combining both English Literature and Linguistics because I honestly loved studying this combination in Sixth Form and couldn’t see myself leaving one behind. I was advised to choose one due to the amount of work and the need to ÔÇÿspecialiseÔÇÖ in one, but I knew what I loved and I chose it. Looking back, the decision that I made has enabled me to learn such a breadth of knowledge as well as integrate both studies to form new emerging ideas to now go on to study for a Masters Degree. Being a part of two different courses has been beneficial to my education, my career prospects and also my social life- having two sets of friends was a fun perk! Speaking to employers, as well as admissions teams for Postgraduate study- my completion of a joint honours degree was something that set me apart from others, especially in my demonstration of the integration of two subjects.
Words by Nuri Santiaguillo Jin
After graduating school during peak Covid and taking a gap year to figure out what to do next, I realised I wanted to study journalism. I began researching different universities and degrees and discovered my current course, BA Journalism Media and Sociology. I have always been interested in sociology, but never got the chance to study it in school, so I decided to finally give it a go. However, as an international student, I had no idea what it truly meant to study a joint honours degree. I soon realised that working with different schools that deliver the course, extra modules and heavier workload can be challenging, but most importantly, interesting. During my fist year I became aware of how much journalism and sociology complement each other and found that theories from one subject can be applied to the other. This is why going into second year I am most looking forward to having modules that I chose, knowing that whatever I learn in one subject will help me understand the other better.
Words by Rume Otuguor
When youÔÇÖre as indecisive as I, choosing the degree that will set up you up for life is quite a daunting task. So, when I saw journalism, media and sociology wrapped up in a comfy BA, I ignored the all the naysayers and stamped it at the top of my UCAS form. Reading the original synopsis on the Cardiff University website, I anticipated an even split between sociology and active journalism with a bit of media studies sprinkled in between as an ode to the media a level that I just couldnÔÇÖt leave behind. Now two years on, my journalism modules are only enticing when I want a break from my sociology heavy degree. Speaking frankly, despite the calculated deception by the powers that be, I think I prefer it this way. My sociology modules are the most interesting, consolidating my original love for the subject. On the other hand, my biggest takeaway from journalism is that advertising and framing are powerful tools that will have na├»ve school leavers feeling hoodwinked by institutions who above all need you more than you need them.
