PhD, degree, major, minor, bachelor…or is it bachelor’s? University language is confusing (you could probably write a thesis on it). Thankfully, we’ve put together a simple guide of the most common terms you’re likely to come across at university.
Knowing the uni lingo gives you greater control over your learning and the study options available. Plus, you can answer with confidence the next time you’re asked that inevitable question at family events, “And what are you studying at university?”
Read on to learn about common uni terms or click one of the definitions below to jump to a specific term:
If you want to really flex your lexicon, view our comprehensive uni terms page.
What is a degree?
Let’s start with the basics. A degree is a standard university award recognised worldwide for completing a tertiary-level course.
A bachelor degree, also known as an undergraduate degree, is the first level of university study. It gives you comprehensive experience, skills and knowledge in a specific field and prepares you for entry-level work in your desired career. It typically takes three to four years to complete.
What is a major?
A major is a specific area of study within a bachelor degree. Majors are usually offered in degrees that cover broad fields, like commerce, science or the arts.
At Curtin, a major is a series of more than eight units (subjects) in the same area. Here are some examples of our majors:
- Graphic Design is a major within the Bachelor of Design.
- Data Science is a major with the Bachelor of Science.
- Marketing is a major within the Bachelor of Commerce.
The units studied in a major form the bulk of your degree. Depending on your course, you can make up the remaining units by studying another major (double major), a specialisation, or a selection of subjects.
The major you choose to study will be stated in brackets on your degree award – the fancy bit of paper you get when you graduate e.g. Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design).
Double major
Some of our courses give you the option to study two majors, known as a double major. You can choose complementary majors that broaden your career options or allow you to pursue different interests. For example, you could study a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Chinese and International Business, or a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Agricultural Science and Data Science.
What is a minor?
Where a major comprises eight or more units in a discipline, a minor comprises four or more units. At Curtin, we call minors specialisations (it’s a case of I say tomahto, you say tomayto).
You can choose specialisations from the same area as your major or from a different area. It can be a good idea to choose specialisations that complement your major so you can broaden your career options.
For example, you might major in Journalism with a specialisation in International Relations so you could find work as a foreign correspondent. Or you might combine a major in Fashion Design with a specialisation in Small Business Start-up so you can launch your own clothing label.
Importantly, a specialisation does not usually extend your course duration; these units are already factored into your degree.
Learn more about specialisations.
What’s the difference between a major and a minor?
A major is a series of eight units in the same area within a bachelor degree; a specialisation/minor is a series of four units in the same area within a bachelor degree. You could think of a major as your main course and a specialisation/minor as your dessert.
What is a stream?
Universities may also offer streams. A stream sits somewhere between a major and a specialisation, comprising six units in the same area.
At Curtin, streams are usually offered within a particular major. For example, our Applied Geology major offers streams in Applied Geology or Mining Geology. And our Electrical and Computer Engineering major offers three streams: Power Systems, Electronics and Communications, or Embedded Systems.
What is a prerequisite subject?
A prerequisite subject is a subject you must have completed before studying a particular university course. For example, if you want to study our Biomedical Science course, you need to have studied the prerequisite subject Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent.
If you haven’t studied a prerequisite needed for entry to a particular course, you may be able to enrol in a different course that offers that equivalent prerequisite as a unit. Then, once you’ve completed the unit, you can switch into your preferred course.
For example, our Bachelor of Science (Multidisciplinary Science) and Bachelor of Science (Health Science) courses can help you achieve the prerequisites you need for admission into a variety of science or health courses.
Read more about our entry pathways.
Portfolio entry
Portfolio entry is an alternative to ATAR entry. You can apply for admission to Curtin by submitting a portfolio of work that demonstrates your academic achievements, qualifications and abilities.
Portfolio entry gives you access to a range of Curtin business, health, humanities and science degrees, and can be used as a stepping stone to an even wider range of courses.
Lingo learned
We hope this has clarified some of the common words and terms you’re likely to come across in your university journey. You can also explore our detailed list that translates uni-lingo into plain speaking.
