Double and Conjoint degrees
Overview
At UC, you may choose to study towards two bachelor's degrees and graduate with a unique skillset from both, giving you career flexibility and different opportunities. For those who have interests in diverse areas, a double or conjoint degree can provide complementary and enhanced knowledge, and give you the flexibility to work in a number of different disciplines and industries when you graduate.
Working towards two separate degrees at the same time – a Double degree – means you may complete some combinations in four to five years.
UC also offers some Conjoint degree options, which merges two bachelor's degrees into one so you can study majors from different areas within a shorter timeframe.
You may enrol in two degrees and cross-credit (share) courses in common up to a maximum of 120 points. Certain combinations of degrees do allow additional cross-credits or exemptions.
If you are interested in studying two degrees at the same time, you should seek advice from each relevant department. For the full requirements for each degree, see the UC Regulations.
General degree combinations
The following general degrees can all be combined with one another:
Law degree combinations
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a Bachelor of Arts
- LLB with a Bachelor of Commerce
- LLB with a Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- LLB with a Bachelor of Science
- LLB with a Bachelor of Communication
- LLB with a Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
The Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Criminal Justice double degree is a particularly popular option for those interested in criminal law and the justice system. To complete this option, you will take LAWS101 instead of the two CRJU compulsory courses in the BCJ in first year, and complete LAWS202 instead of CRJU202 in the BCJ in second year.
The combination of a Bachelor of Laws with a Bachelor of Commerce is another popular option if you want to pursue a career in business or management. Often this can be completed in five-and-a-half years, although this will involve increased course loads in some years. If you want to complete in the minimum time, you must complete the two compulsory courses and the 75-point non-Law component (five non-Law courses) of the Bachelor of Laws in the first year. You will need to plan your courses carefully to avoid overload.
Engineering degree combinations
- Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)) with a Bachelor of Commerce
- BE(Hons) with a Bachelor of Science
The length of time it will take to complete these combinations will depend on the major or specialisation you choose. It is advised to seek advice to ensure all requirements for each degree are met.
Other possible degree combinations
- Bachelor of Communication with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
- Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Forestry Science with a Bachelor of Commerce, or a Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Music with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or a Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Product Design with a Bachelor of Commerce, or a Bachelor of Science
Conjoint degrees are accelerated programmes for high-achieving students, which combine two degrees in as little as four to five years.
The accelerated programmes require 60 points fewer than a double degree, but a higher workload at 135 points per year, as well as a minimum sustained Grade Point Average. You must graduate in both parts of the conjoint at the same time.
If you are interested in studying a conjoint degree, you should seek advice from each relevant department.
UC offers nine conjoint degrees:
- Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Commerce
- Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Science
- Conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Science
- Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Commerce
- Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Science
- Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Commerce
- Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Product Design
- Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Arts
- Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Social and Environmental Sustainability
Most conjoint degrees have similar structures of 255 points from each degree in the conjoint, with a minimum sustained Grade Point Average of B-. Overall the combined 540 points will include a minimum of 330 points above 100-level and a minimum of 150 points at 300-level.
Engineering conjoint degrees require an overall combined 675 points, with at least 405 points from the Engineering degree and at least 255 points from the other (plus another 15 points for either degree), and at least a minimum sustained Grade Point Average of B. These degrees also have specific major combinations to meet Engineering New Zealand accreditation requirements — contact a Student Advisor for the list of approved subjects.
- A conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Arts must include two of the compulsory courses, the requirements for one major and one minor or one specialisation, and a minimum of 180 points above 100-level, with 90 points at 300-level.
- A conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Commerce must include all of the compulsory courses, the requirements for one major (and optionally one minor), and a minimum of 165 points above 100-level, with 75 points at 300-level.
- A conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Science must include the compulsory course, the requirements for one major, and a minimum of 165 points above 100-level, with 75 points at 300-level.
- A conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Product Design must include the requirements for one major, and a minimum of 165 points above 100-level, with 75 points at 300-level.
- A conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours must include the compulsory first year courses and work placement course, the requirements of one discipline, and a minimum of 315 points above 100-level, with 90 points at 400-level.
- A conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability must include all of the compulsory courses and one internship course, the requirements for one major, and a minimum of 165 points above 100-level, with 90 points at 300-level.
If you do not meet these requirements or decide not to continue with your conjoint degree, you may instead transfer completed courses to one of the degrees within the conjoint, or to the Certificate of Commerce or the Certificate of Science, with permission from the relevant Deans.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Contact us
Careful course planning is necessary when you are planning on studying conjoint or double degrees, to avoid overload and to ensure all requirements for each degree are met. It's best to speak with someone about this before you apply.
Contact a Student Advisor for course planning advice.