Is there a difference between BEngineering Honors and B Engineering?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by vinodgopal, Feb 5, 2010.

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  1. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    In some of the UK based universities they offer a Bachelor's in Engineering Honors which has a one year course duration as compared to 3 or 4 years in most other countries. The entry requirements are a diploma with a few years of experience or those who have 5 years of supervisory experience.

    Now a cousin of mine who is 23 with a diploma, feels the cost of the program works out the same in India as well and wishes to be recognized as an engineer however does not want to go back to do it for 4 long years.

    Is he gonna be making a smart decision?
     
  2. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    It has been a while since I lived in the UK but I believe an honors degree is usually 4 years long, one year longer than a pass degree. Here is what my old school has to say:

    The University of Bolton currently offers 6 types of bachelor degree:

    BA - Bachelor of Arts
    BSc - Bachelor of Science
    LLB - Bachelor of Laws
    BDes - Bachelor of Design
    BEng - Bachelor of Engineering
    BEd - Bachelor of Education

    Bachelor degrees can be either pass degrees or honours degrees. Honours degrees are generally of a higher academic standard and are identified by the term (Hons) after the degree abbreviation.

    The grades, if you pass, are known as a first class (highest, often shortened to "a first"), a second class ("a second"; usually divided into an upper second - 2:1 or "two-one" - and a lower second - 2:2 or "two-two"), and a third class ("a third").


    Most UK schools will provide credit for appropriate prior academic work.
     
  3. Malajac

    Malajac Member


    One year BEng? No offense, but that sounds ridiculous to me. Which UK based universities?
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Maybe he is thinking of a program such as thos one offerd by the UK Open University and which is a "conversion" program that upgrades a foundation degree (or other applicable qualification) to an honors degree in one year. 120 points must be earned at OU.
    http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b24.htm
     
  5. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    Well if a student has already done a 3 year diploma in the same subject from any of the recognized Indian polytechnics, this applies. For others they must undergo diploma, advanced diploma and a bachelors. And this is a UK university having a Singapore campus.
     
  6. Malajac

    Malajac Member


    Ah, so diploma is a three-year program? Ok, applying to the BEng (Hons) 1-year program after completing three years of engineering courses makes sense, provided it's in the same discipline. Where I studied only the first year was the same for all engineering majors.

    Admitting applicants to the fourth year of BEng based solely on 5 or x or y years of "supervisory experience" makes no sense however.

    As for the question in the title of this thread, my own BEng (Hons), from a Malaysian university, simply meant cumulative GPA > 3.5, there was no 3-year program. So situations might be different in different countries.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2010
  7. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    okay i appreciate your off topic answers and remarks! Still would like to know if Honors degree and normal degree meant the same for all practical purposes concerning a job in engineering.
     
  8. Malajac

    Malajac Member


    I'm sorry, which part of the answer was off-topic?

    Without transferring in prior academic work when enrolling, it would probably be respected enough to allow the holder of a one year BEng to operate a vacuum cleaner, or possibly a toaster.
     
  9. vadro

    vadro New Member

    In UK a honours degree is usually a 3/4 years programme, however some university accredit prior academic or professional work. Which UK University are you referring to? The question is too generic.
     
  10. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    If all UK engineering degrees were equal then the honors degree would be preferred by an employer - however degrees do vary in reputation (a pass degree from Cambridge would outrank an honors degree from my old school - University of Bolton - in the eyes of some employers).
    Also the degree is not the main factor in hiring - experience, personality, sharpness, and creativity, amongst others, all enter into the hiring equation.
     

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