When choosing a postgraduate degree in Cape Town, one of the biggest questions undergrads ask is how postgraduate honours differ from masters.
These degrees are both year-long programmes taken at the postgrad level. They both rely on high grades throughout your studies (including your undergrad years). They are both considered ‘door openers’ in many industries — especially in business.
How do they compare, and what else should you know about these postgrad degree courses?
What is a postgraduate honours degree?
If you are thinking of pursuing a postgraduate honours degree in Cape Town, you may want to keep the following facts in mind:
- The honours degree typically follows an undergraduate bachelor’s degree. It is the initial qualification for students aiming to specialise in any field, helping prepare students for research and postgraduate study.
- This qualification helps deepen your understanding and experience within your field. As such, it demands a very high level of theory, practical application, and self-study.
- Completing an honours programme will help you meet the minimum entry requirements into a master’s programme. Your area of specialisation within the honours programme will impact your entry into a master’s degree. That being said, it is not always required.
Benefits of getting an honours degree
Getting an honours degree will make you eligible for further study and show potential employers that you are a hard worker with a higher capacity for independent learning.
Honours degrees also help you develop some skills you may miss out on if you only complete an undergraduate degree. Some of these skills include the following:
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting
- Critical thinking
Honours degrees are recognised worldwide, and many companies in different countries prefer hiring graduates with honours degrees. This makes it easier for you to immigrate to another country if this is one of your career goals.
Lastly, you also open the door to higher-level job positions offering higher salaries and employee benefits.
Who should get an honours degree?
You might want to get an honours degree in the following cases:
- Your school invites you to do an honours degree after you complete your three-year undergraduate programme. Students who achieve excellent marks often get asked to pursue further studies at the same university.
- You want to apply for a master’s degree: Some master’s degrees, such as a Master of Business in Healthcare Management, require an honour’s degree to be eligible for enrolment.
What is a postgraduate master’s degree?
A postgraduate Master’s programme in Cape Town is a 1-2 year-long qualification such as the Masters of Business Administration, which is one of the most sought-after and challenging qualifications for postgrad students to pursue.
Some things to keep in mind for students considering this type of qualification include the following:
- The primary aim of a master’s degree is to educate, train, and prepare students at an advanced level. Likewise, graduates are ready for highly specialised employment within a given field. In the case of the MBA, students are equipped with essential business skills.
- There is a robust research aspect in this qualification. Students typically need to prepare and deliver an essay known as a dissertation, which is a complex research project that implements the advanced knowledge acquired during the study period. Grades for this paper can often determine whether or not students complete their degrees.
- Master’s students complete their qualifications with the ability to handle complex issues, make better decisions based on data and communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
- Minimum entry requirements for this postgrad qualification in Cape Town typically include a relevant honours degree, a professional BA degree or a postgraduate diploma.
Benefits of getting a master’s degree
Businesses are likelier to hire highly qualified and skilled professionals in a competitive job market.
Thus, a master’s degree provides a competitive advantage and opens the door to executive-level positions that pay far higher salaries. Master’s degrees also allow you to change careers, build credibility, and be seen as an expert.
Who should get a master’s degree?
You might want to get a master’s degree in the following cases:
- You want to become an authority in your field: Perhaps you are incredibly passionate about your field or industry and want to be known as an expert.
- You want to climb the corporate ladder to the top: Your ultimate career goal is to attain senior or executive-level positions within local or international companies.
Which is better, a postgraduate honours or a master’s?
Choosing between a postgraduate honours and a master’s degree depends on your goals, financial commitment, and time availability.
Honours degrees are better if you want to gain advanced industry knowledge and research experience before committing to a longer master’s degree.
On the other hand, a master’s degree is better for people aiming for more significant career advancement and specialisation in a specific field, such as business or healthcare management.
FAQ
What comes first, honours or masters?
An honours degree typically comes before a master’s degree. In many education systems and institutions worldwide, honours degrees usually require an additional year of study after completing a bachelor’s degree.
As for a master’s degree, you can pursue this 1-2 year degree after an honours degree. However, you do not necessarily need an honours degree, and some universities, like REGENT, also accept a professional bachelor’s degree (NQF level 8) with some additional requirements. Learn more about the minimum entry requirements for an MBA here.
Is a postgraduate certificate the same as a Masters?
No, postgraduate certificates are not the same as master’s degrees. Postgraduate certificates are usually shorter and can be completed in one year or less, while master’s degrees take between 1 and 2 years or more, depending on the mode of study.
Postgraduate certificates usually consist of a few courses that do not include a thesis or extensive research. In contrast, a master’s degree consists of a more comprehensive curriculum and requires the completion of a complex research project.
How many years is a Postgraduate Honours?
A postgraduate honours degree usually takes one year to complete if you study full-time. However, it could take longer if you decide to study part-time or through distance learning.
Study postgraduate degree courses with REGENT
If you are interested in furthering your studies and want to pursue an honour’s degree, look at our BCom Honours to see what is included and its admission requirements.
If you need to talk to a consultant, contact us or fill out an enquiry form on this page.