BA (Hons) Combined Studies

Essential Info

The University of Glamorgan’s Combined Studies degree programme is one of the most flexible in the UK – you can choose to study between two and five subjects from a varied list. The programme offers a broad educational experience at degree level and is a great choice if you want to study different areas that match your career aims exactly. As you progress, you can drop some subjects to focus on others.

We give support and guidance to make sure your programme of study reflects what you want to do. For example, if you want to study a particular module or are in your final year, we can ensure you take the right module(s) in years one and two for you to do this.

The Combined Studies degree is governed by the University’s academic regulations, just like any other degree. Provided you pass enough credits at each level, you will receive an Honours degree at the end of your course. If you study mostly Arts modules, your certificate will read BA (Hons) Combined Studies. If you study mostly Science modules, you will graduate with a BSc (Hons) Combined Studies.

What You Will Study

Studying Combined Studies at Glamorgan is an opportunity to create a course that matches your expertise and interests. We have over 20 different subjects to choose from, many of which you can take without any previous experience.

You can choose to study between two and five subjects. Below is a list of the subjects currently available

• Accounting
• Biology
• Broadcasting & Journalism
• Business
• Careers Guidance
• Computer Science
• Computer Systems
• Creative Writing
• Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Drama
• Education
• English Language
• English Literature
• Film Studies
• Geography
• Geology
• History & American Studies
• Human Resource Management
• Information Systems
• Law
• Leisure, Sport & Tourism
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Maths for Application
• Physical Sciences
• Professional Welsh
• Psychology
• Social Policy
• Software Engineering
• Sport Science
• Video and New Media

How You Will Study

As a Combined Studies student you will attend the same lectures and tutorials as students following the same course as part of other Honours programmes. You will be taught by staff from within the different subject areas that you choose to study, which means you learn from specialists in each field.

Class contact hours and teaching methods vary from module to module. A typical Arts module may have one lecture and one seminar each week. For a Science module, you may have to go to a lecture, a tutorial and a practical session every week. On average, the total class contact hours per week would be 12-18 hours.

Assessment varies from module to module. Some have formal examinations, while others have coursework only. Some may involve presentations or even performances.

How does this course make me employable?

Since the job market demands graduates to be ever more adaptable and multi-skilled, many students see the positive worth of combining two or more subjects.

Employers often appreciate that students who design their own degree can be more decisive, think independently and develop good self-management skills.

The Combined Studies degree is designed to develop both subject-specific competence and key skills for employability. You will acquire a range of transferable skills that can be applied in a variety of working environments. These include: the ability to present arguments orally, visually and in writing, team working, time management, and a flexible and analytical approach to problem solving.

The importance of these skills is illustrated in our high rates for employability; the most Graduate Destination Survey 2010 indicated that 94% of Glamorgan graduates were in employment or further study within six months of graduation.

Recognising the need for our graduates to be able to stand out in a competitive jobs market, the University of Glamorgan has developed a series of employability initiatives that exist within each academic Faculty.

For more information on these initiatives visit:
Employability opportunities.

Possible Career Options

Combined Studies graduates are well placed to enter a wide range of careers, being adaptable, efficient and self-motivated, with a variety of skills and qualities that employers value. In part, specific career areas open to you after you graduate will depend upon your subject choices.

Our graduates have gone into a diverse range of employment, including local government, community work, marketing and advertising and management positions.

Some undertake further training, to qualify as teachers, social workers, accountants and specialists in Human Resource Management while other Some go on to study for higher degrees.

Work/Study Placements:

Graduates face an increasingly competitive job market, so meaningful work experience is fast becoming essential. You could take a vacation placement or choose voluntary work in area you’re passionate about. There are many different types of work experience, so you’re sure to find one that suits you.

A year out studying abroad is another great boost to your CV which can help you stand out from the crowd. We have an Erasmus link with Limerick in Ireland, where you could spend your second year (this depends on the subjects you study).

Whether it’s studying abroad or gaining work experience, our experienced team will help you find a placement in an area that interests you.