There are lots of confusions amongst SPM/STPM leavers on the difference between an honours degree and a non-honours degree. Well, it should be, because not many people actually explain about it, although you could always just wiki or google it . But here I am again, trying to shed some light in the matter to help you choose the best course for you.

The information below is a collection from several sources and individual opinions including mine, fyire and several others collected from old topics.

HONOURS DEGREE

An Honours degree is still a Bachelors degree. To be more accurate, the wordings would actually read: Bachelor of <field> in <course> (Honours). For example Bachelor of Science in Computer Management (Honours).

There are two very different system in determining an honours degree in the world today. The UK system and the Australian/NZ system. In Malaysia, we follow closely to the UK system, as most other Commonwealth countries. I can't say for sure about US universities, but it does seem that most of them use the same system as well. And as far as I know, only Australia and New Zealand uses the Australian/NZ system.

Before we go deeper, do understand that all degrees has classifications, and not to be confused with honours. First class, Second class upper, Second class lower and Third class are classifications on your achievements. Not normally associated with your honours title, with exception as will be described later.

Now lets talk about these two systems.

UK Honours System

In the UK system, honours degree differentiates between a professional/specialized degree and normal standard/general degree. The honours status is declared upfront before the student takes the course, meaning they would know full well if they will graduate with honours or not. Then all they had to do is pass with at least 2.00CGPA (2nd class lower) at the end of their studies.

Honours degree will have a research component at the end of the studies, normally in the form of a research thesis. This is the extra academic component that is not available in a non-honours degree. And normally professional courses take this as an essential component to determine its professional recognition.

So if you're concerned with professional recognition (for courses such as architecture, engineering, medicine, law or accountancy), be sure to pay attention to the honours title in the degree. If there's an honours, go for it. Non-honours degree are usually shorter, but honours carry more recognition.

Australian/NZ Honours System

By Australian standards the awarding of honours is only upon completion of a 4th optional year which consists of research based work where at the end, the student is expected to publish a thesis. This optional 4th year usually cannot be applied into, and is only offered to students on an invitation basis, depending on how well they have performed during the 2nd and 3rd year level. This is how it's like for those 3 year courses.

Basically the Australian/NZ system only awards honours degree to top students. It can be said that this gives the honours title more meaning and prestige compared to the UK system. However, the two can't be compared directly simply because difference of meaning. So before you confuse yourself, just understand what each honours means and how you could obtain it.

The Honours system that described only applies to the 3 year courses in Australia. For 4 year and above courses such as engineering, it follows the UK system still.