This guide covers what Bachelor’s degrees are, how long it takes to them, the costs, and the career and salary benefits you can expect!
What is a Bachelor’s degree?
A Bachelor’s degree represents a crucial step in your academic journey after high school.
This degree generally lasts three to four years and offers an in-depth exploration of your chosen field after your high school education (or equivalent).
Types of Bachelor’s degrees
- BS or BSc (Bachelor of Science)
- BA (Bachelor of Arts)
- BEng (Bachelor of Engineering)
- BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
Choosing the right Bachelor’s program
Choosing the perfect Bachelor’s program can initially seem overwhelming, but it fundamentally depends on your career goals and academic interests. Ask yourself:
- What are my academic interests? Reflect on which subjects you enjoyed or excelled at during high school.
- What are my long-term career goals? Are you clear about your career aspirations? How does a Bachelor’s degree fit into your professional goals?
- What skills do I want to acquire? Consider the soft and hard skills you want to learn in your degree.
- How much can I afford to spend on my education? Are you eligible for scholarships or financial aid? Are you open to working part-time or taking a gap year to save money for your degree?
- How much time can I commit to a Bachelor’s program? Can you commit to three or four years of continuous study, or do you need to explore part-time or online options?
- Am I ready to move away for university if I need to? If your university is far from your home, consider whether you’re prepared for the challenges of living alone.
How long does it take to get a Bachelor’s degree?
Bachelor’s programs typically last three to four years, earning you 180 to 240 ECTS credits or 120 to 160 credits for US colleges.
The duration and credit requirements can change based on factors such as the country, university, and degree program.
The length of your studies may also vary depending on your chosen mode of study—part-time, full-time, or an accelerated program.
Here’s an overview of the most common requirements for a Bachelor’s degree:
📄 Academic transcripts
To apply for Bachelor’s degree programs, you must submit a scan of your high school diploma.
What’s more, depending on the competitiveness of the program you’re applying for, you may need to meet a minimum GPA (grade point average) requirement. In this case, you might also need to submit a transcript of your grades, so it’s a good idea to have a scan of your grades for all high school years.
✉️ Personal statement/motivation letter
A personal statement is an essay that highlights your interest in the specific program and university to which you’re applying.
It outlines your:
- Academic and personal background
- Reasons for choosing the particular field of study
- Career aspirations and how the program aligns with them
💬 Language proficiency
You’ll usually be required to provide proof of language proficiency if you’re not a native speaker of the language of instruction.
The most common way of proving language proficiency is by getting a certificate from a language course.
Here are the most widely accepted language exams:
- English: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo
- German: Goethe Institute Courses, university-specific courses
- French: DELF, DALF, TEF
- Spanish: DELE, SIELE
✍️ Standardized test or entrance exam results
Standardized testing helps universities assess the academic readiness and potential of applicants from diverse educational backgrounds.
What test(s) you may have to complete varies by country and institution, but here are some of the most common standardized tests used worldwide:
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): Widely used by US colleges, the SAT includes sections on reading, writing and language, math, and an optional essay.
- ACT (American College Testing): Covers English, math, reading, and science reasoning, with an optional writing section.
- A-levels (Advanced Level Qualifications): In the UK, A-levels are subject-specific qualifications typically taken by students in the final 2 years of secondary education.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: The IB Diploma is an internationally recognized program that includes a range of subjects, an extended essay, a theory of knowledge, creativity, activity, and service components.
- Country-specific exams: Many countries have their own standardized tests for university admissions.
👍 Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation are written endorsements from your teachers, mentors, coaches, or employers that support your application for a Bachelor’s degree.
They provide insight into your academic abilities, character, and achievements from someone who knows you well and can vouch for your potential as a student.
To secure strong letters of recommendation:
- Ask early: Contact your teachers or mentors well in advance to give them ample time to write a thoughtful and detailed letter.
- Choose who you ask wisely: Select recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths, character, and achievements. Ideally, these should be teachers of subjects relevant to the program you’re applying for.
- Provide context: Explain what programs you’re applying to and send a summary of your essential experiences related to those programs.
- Follow up: Politely remind your recommenders of deadlines and check in to see if they need additional information.
🎨 Extracurricular experience
Extracurricular activities are non-academic pursuits that you can engage in outside of the regular school curriculum.
These activities include various interests such as sports, arts, clubs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, internships, and other hobbies. These activities often provide valuable experiences that contribute to your growth, so universities value them as a demonstration of your interest, engagement, and leadership.
We’ve created a comprehensive list of the best extracurriculars for college, as well as all of the key things you should know when choosing what extracurriculars to pursue.
💡 Extracurriculars are especially important if you want to study in the US.
🔍 Program-specific requirements
Depending on the program, there may be further requirements:
- Art or design majors may need a personal portfolio of projects showcasing their art/design skills.
- Certain STEM degrees may require you to take a specific course in high school. For example, if you want to study biology, you may need a good grade in biology, science, math, or another relevant subject from your high school program.
- Music degree programs often require you to perform a live audition to assess your music skills.
💡 Carefully read the requirements of the program(s) you’re interested in on the university’s official website to ensure you have everything you need to apply.
Benefits of going to college
A Bachelor’s degree offers many tangible and intangible benefits. Here are some of them:
Better job opportunities and higher salary
Many professions nowadays require a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification.
85% of good jobs will require some university education by 2031, according to a report by Georgetown University: “The largest growth in good jobs over this decade will be on the Bachelor’s degree pathway, including jobs that demand graduate degrees”.
They continue: “Managerial and professional office occupations will be the largest source of good jobs… and 84% of good managerial and professional office jobs will be on the Bachelor’s degree pathway.” In other words, a Bachelor’s degree will be required for a large majority of well-paying jobs by 2031.
What’s more, a 2023 Forbes report showed that the median annual salary of 25 to 34-year-old full-time workers is 25% higher for Bachelor’s degree graduates than high school grads ($44,100 a year to $59,600).
Specialized knowledge and skills
A Bachelor’s degree equips you with a comprehensive understanding of a specific field.
This is highly valuable in a world where AI and robots can replace humans in more general, manual tasks. To stay afloat, you’ll need to become a specialist, an expert in one area – which is exactly what Bachelor’s degrees offer.
💡 A great way to build your skill set is to use the T-shaped skills model developed by McKinsey, which consists of one core skill and several adjacent skills.
Networking and connections
Universities are fantastic places to connect with people who could further your career. Many also provide job placement services and internship opportunities as part of their Bachelor’s degree programs.
Pathway to further study
A Bachelor’s degree is necessary if you wish to pursue a Master’s or a PhD program in the future. So, if you would like to develop your academic career, you may want to consider getting an early start with a Bachelor’s program.
How much does a Bachelor’s degree cost?
The cost of a Bachelor’s degree depends on several factors, including the country where you intend to study, your citizenship status, your eligibility for funding and scholarships, and visa requirements, among others.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how much getting a Bachelor’s degree costs in different parts of the world:
| United States | $25,000-35,000/year at public, and $30,000-$45,000/year at private universities |
| United Kingdom | £10,000 to £61,000 per year |
| Germany | Free at public universities, €26,000/year for private universities |
| France | Free for EU citizens. Non-EU pay €2,770 at public, and €3,000 – €20,000 at private universities. |
💡 Check the specific costs and funding opportunities for your desired program.
Online Bachelor’s degree
With the rise of digital learning, many universities offer online and hybrid programs.
Online degrees are a great option if you want to study at a university abroad while avoiding living expenses associated with studying overseas or if you need the flexibility of online studies while balancing other responsibilities.
Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree online comes with various benefits:
- Cost-effectiveness: Online degrees often come at a lower cost than traditional on-campus programs.
- No travel time: Study from the comfort of your home without commuting.
- Flexibility: Online learning allows you to manage your studies with existing commitments.
Best online degree programs for working adults
Here are some of the best online Bachelor’s degree programs for working adults, organized by major and potential job opportunities:
1. Business Administration
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA)
- Potential jobs: Business manager, marketing manager, financial analyst, human resources manager, operations manager
- Highlights: Flexible schedules, comprehensive business education, opportunities for specialization (e.g., marketing, finance, human resources).
2. Information Technology
- Programs: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSc in IT)
- Potential jobs: IT manager, network administrator, cybersecurity analyst, data analyst, software developer
- Highlights: Competency-based education, up-to-date technology curriculum, various specializations such as cybersecurity and data analytics.
3. Healthcare Administration
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration (BHA)
- Potential jobs: Healthcare administrator, health services manager, medical practice manager, hospital administrator, clinical director
- Highlights: Focus on healthcare management and policy, flexible online courses, practical training through virtual simulations.
4. Education
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed.)
- Potential jobs: Teacher, school administrator, instructional coordinator, education consultant, curriculum developer
- Highlights: Specializations in areas like special education, curriculum and instruction, and educational leadership, flexible scheduling for working educators.
5. Nursing
- Programs: RN to BSN
- Potential jobs: Registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse manager
- Highlights: Programs designed for current RNs, focus on advanced nursing practice, leadership, and education roles, flexible coursework.
6. Criminal Justice
- Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSc in CJ)
- Potential jobs: Police officer, detective, probation officer, forensic analyst, homeland security officer
- Highlights: Courses in law enforcement, corrections, and criminal law, flexible schedules, opportunities for specialization in forensic science or homeland security.
7. Psychology
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Psychology (B.A. or B.S. in Psychology)
- Potential jobs: Clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist, school psychologist, human resources specialist, market research analyst
- Highlights: Broad understanding of psychological theories and practices, flexible learning options, and specializations in clinical or industrial-organizational psychology.
8. Engineering
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Engineering (B.Eng.)
- Potential jobs: Mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, civil engineer, project engineer, quality engineer
- Highlights: Various branches, including electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering, flexible online classes, and access to virtual labs and simulations.
9. Human Resources Management
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management (BHRM)
- Potential jobs: Human resources manager, talent acquisition specialist, training and development manager, compensation and benefits manager, employee relations specialist
- Highlights: Focus on recruitment, talent management, and organizational development, flexible schedules, opportunities for SHRM certification preparation.
10. Marketing
- Programs: Bachelor’s in Marketing (BA or BSc in Marketing)
- Potential jobs: Marketing manager, digital marketing specialist, brand manager, market research analyst, social media manager
- Highlights: Courses in digital marketing, consumer behavior, brand management, flexible online programs, and practical applications through projects and simulations.