What does a two year degree cover?

When it comes to applying for university, it’s not uncommon to be overwhelmed by the variety of options that are open to students.

Obviously, when joining a university, the main degree that you can study is a normal undergraduate degree, but there are lots of different types, whether those be Sandwich Courses, a PGCE degree, a Diploma of Higher Education or a Foundation degree, there are plenty of options open.

One of the growing degrees in terms of popularity is that of the two year degree and this guide will help you to work out whether it is for you and the best two year degree careers.

What is a two-year degree?

A two-year degree is also known as an accelerated degree. two year degree courses do exactly what it says on the side of the tin, it is a degree that is studied in two years, rather than the usual three-year undergraduate degree. They’re not too dissimilar in terms of content, it’s just that the course and its content is condensed into a shorter time period.

What is a fast-track course?

The government have encouraged more and more universities to offer Fast-Track courses to students. A fast-track course is (like the two-year degree) exactly what it sounds like. It is a course that aims to get students fast-tracked through their course.

A fast-track course is not really a course that you can select, it is a category of degree, that can apply to normal undergraduate degrees, Foundation degrees or even to a Master’s degree.

With the government making more and more changes to the Higher Education and Research Bill, you can expect to see more and more fast-track courses popping up everywhere.

Do all universities offer two-year degrees?

Unfortunately no, they do not.

Some universities have been offering a two year degree for a long time, and some don’t offer them at all. Universities like the University of Exeter or the University of Sheffield offer two-year degrees for certain subjects but are looking to expand their selection. While The University of Buckingham has been offering two-year degrees since 1976, which is when two-year degrees were first introduced to the UK.

Is a two-year degree the same as a normal degree? A two-year degree is no different from any of the normal degrees that you can find at university. They offer the same result at the end of them, they’re just finished quicker than your normal degrees.

Whether you're doing a two year education degree, a two year nursing degree or a two year accounting degree, the course will run the same way every year.

What are the costs of two-year degrees?

Well, a two year university degree will cost more than a normal undergraduate degree in terms of fees. However, in the long run, a two year degree programme will cost a lot less than a normal degree.

The reason for this is because you will be saving a year’s worth of spending. A year of spending can be a good thing for you and as a student, you’re going to be needing to keep an eye on the pennies as it is. You will be to save a year’s worth of rent, bills, books and more by doing a two-year degree.

You’ll still need to keep an eye on the purse strings, however, and you can look at some tips on how to save money as a student and see what you can save money on, as well as take advantage of a number of student discounts.

What is the difference in tuition fees for a two-year degree and an undergraduate degree?

The two courses are not necessarily any more or less expensive, the difference between the two is the funding that is received for the two courses.

Universities have come to the conclusion that as you’re studying in less time, you probably won’t need as much money as those that are studying a full three-year course. Whether or not you agree with that is up to you.

The funding difference is around £3,000. Most undergraduate students receive around £9,000-a-year, meanwhile, two-year degree students will receive around £6,000, although if you are doing a Law degree, your law firm may potentially cover your two year associate degree programs or your two year LLB degree.

If you’re looking to become a Nurse or Doctor and you're doing a two year degree in Nursing you may be able to look at an NHS Bursary, which will help you a lot, and who knows, you might even get yourself an amazing two year Nursing degree salary.

A two-year degree can seem very confusing and can also be a rather expensive endeavour for you to look into, so we recommend doing as much research as possible and see if you are eligible for any bursaries grants or scholarships for a two-year degree, good luck!

Can you study for a two year degree online?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to study two year degree programs online, however, this may change in the future, especially given the rise in correspondence courses, so keep an eye out for some online two year degree programs.