Twin female students sharing music while studying.
On average, only around 1% of university students graduate with double degrees.
Most graduate with a single degree.
A few come back later to do a second one.
While some single degrees, like a Bachelor of Arts, give you a broad education and skills that can open doors to different employment options, others are more specific to a profession, for example an engineering or a nursing degree.
But a double degree can give you the best of both worlds.
Why double up?
Double degrees typically take one more year to complete than a single degree.
So that's four years full-time study, not three.
But in that one extra year you're earning two separate qualifications.
And you'll have a more diverse set of skills and knowledge because you've studied units from two different university courses.
A double degree is also a great way of keeping your options open and can demonstrate a higher level of expertise to future employers.
Create your own niche
The other thing about double degrees is the flexibility it gives you to tailor your study and create your own niche.
Because you can choose units from each course to build your own unique qualification.
You could make yourself an irresistible future employee or set yourself up in your own business.
Imagine your interest in a field of science becoming a viable business idea?
Studying a Science/Commerce double degree might be a great foundation.
Perhaps you're keen to be an engineer, but your parents want you to be a lawyer.
Why not study both, with a unique Engineering/Law double degree that could lead to international opportunities.
Kristy's double act
Kristy Anzellino graduated from Edith Cowan University with a double degree.
It's called a Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science)/Bachelor of Commerce (Sport Business).
And yes, that's a crazy long title.
But if you're sports mad and into fitness this could take you in many directions – from running your own sports or fitness business, to working in management in the massive sports industry and more.
Unsurprisingly, Kristy grew up playing lots of sport – netball, basketball, swimming and even dance (which is not a sport as such, but it shows how active she was).
As part of her double degree, and because of her growing range of skills, Kristy had multiple work placements at AFL club West Coast Eagles – covering fitness and performance on-field to the business side of the sport.
She now works at the club in their Integrity Services unit.
Ready to double up?
ECU's double degrees are many and varied and will give you an edge in the workforce or could take you into your own business.
