Vertical Double Degree Pathways
Vertical double degree Pathways - cover

Vertical Double Degree Pathways

Do you want to supercharge your time at ANU and graduate with a Bachelor and Masters degree within 4 years? Why not combine an undergraduate degree with a Masters by coursework and enter the workforce with an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification.

Vertical double degrees

Key facts

What is a Vertical Double Degree pathway?

Three year single undergraduate degrees offered by the ANU College of Science and Medicine require 96 units of Science courses and 48 units of ANU electives. This empowers you with the flexibility to enrol in courses from across the University in your undergraduate degree. However, if your passion is Science and you want to fast track your entry into the employment market with a Masters degree in a Science or Health & Medicine related discipline, you can opt to swap out 24 units (4 courses) of those ANU electives and get a jump start on postgraduate courses in your third year of study. This requires a bit of thought and advance planning in your second year of study, but our student advisors will help you every step of the way.

Why choose a Vertical Double Degree pathway?

This is your opportunity to complete a Bachelor and Masters degree in less time and save yourself one year of postgraduate tuition fees. Once you have met the conditions of offer for the Masters degree, you will be eligible for 48 units of credit: 24 units of credit from the postgraduate courses already completed and 24 units from your Bachelor degree. This leaves you only one year of postgraduate study to get that Masters qualification. If you are a domestic Commonwealth supported student, there is an extra cost reduction as the 24 units of postgraduate courses taken in the 3rd year will be invoiced as per the same scheme as courses contributing towards your undergraduate Commonwealth supported degree.

What do I need to know before I express interest?

This study pathway has a progression hurdle in the Bachelor degree which must be met before postgraduate study can commence. Students who opt for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 in the first 96 units of undergraduate courses attempted in the Bachelor degree to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in the Bachelors degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses. If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

Pathway options

Below is the list of some of the possible pathway combinations for the College of Science and Medicine. The Bachelor of Science has the broadest range of options however it is possible to start from other programs such as the Bachelor of Biotechnology, Bachelor of Genetics, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability and Bachelor of Medical Science. A list of pathway options from majors in the Bachelor of Science is available from here (indicative only). Study plans on this website provide a general example only of how the programs can be combined. Study plan must be tailored to suit each individual student in alignment with published degree requirements, admissions requirements and cognate credit requirements for the destination Masters program and course scheduling (subject to change).

How to apply

 

Have a conversation with us

Embarking on a pathway to a Masters degree is a big decision, especially if you are only just beginning your university career. If you are a current student, we encourage you to start the conversation with us at the start of your second year of study and ideally no later than the end of your second year. The minimum considerations to keep in mind are whether your course choices are suitable for satisfying admission to the postgraduate program and any requisite requirements of the masters courses, and your GPA is on track.

 

Find a combination that suits your interests

Explore the list of degrees presented above to find a combination to suit your interests, strengths and career goals.

Make sure you understand the admission requirements for your chosen degree by reading them carefully on Programs and Courses website.

All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.

 

Talk to a student adviser in the College Student Services Office

The student advisers will step through your academic record, put you in touch with the Masters program convener so you can get specialist advice about course selection and career opportunities, and help you map out a study plan for the remainder of your undergraduate program which will include 24 units of postgraduate study from your Master of choice.

 

Submit an Expression of Interest to a Vertical Double Degree pathway

You can Submit an Expression of Interest to a Vertical Double Degree pathway up until you have completed 72 units of study.

Contact us

Please contact the science enquiries team.