Your health degree, mapped

What’s involved in studying a health degree at QUT? Here are some key terms explained

Units

Subjects you study (and pass) to earn your degree. Most university degrees are composed of core units which you have to study to get the qualification, and elective units where you can chase your interests in other areas.

The number of core and elective units you have depends on the degree you’re studying.

Bachelor degree

Usually the first qualification you can get from a university, and the most common undergraduate degree. They typically take at least 3 years to complete full time, or 6 years part time.

Majors

The primary area of study in your degree. You can sometimes complete 2 majors in one degree

Minors and extensions

Secondary areas of study in your degree, taking up fewer units of study.

Honours

A higher level of study you can add to your bachelor degree, typically taking an extra year. In some courses, you can complete an honours qualification embedded in your 4-year degree, while in others you can add it as an extra year once you’ve finished your 3-year bachelor degree.

Semesters

At school, you study in 4 terms. At university, the year is divided into 2 (or more) semesters.

Postgraduate degree

An extra qualification you can take once you’ve finished your bachelor degree, such as a master’s degree.

Double degree

You can study 2 degrees at the same time, taking a minimum of 4 years to graduate. You can get an undergraduate and postgraduate degree with a vertical double degree.

Example degree

Want more detail?

Head to the QUT website and download the study guide

Read more

• Wondering about a health career? Check out our new university course guide
• The life-changing power of university open days
• Meet a medical student

This post was brought to you in partnership with QUT, and first appeared in Careers with STEM: Study Health at QUT.