If you’re planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the next year or so, you probably have a lot on your mind. A bachelor’s degree is a popular option for high school grads, offering exposure to new ideas and acting as the bedrock for any future education you might explore — like a master’s degree or beyond.
However, a few bachelor programs offer you a choice that requires a little research. Some universities allow you to choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree for certain programs. For example, you might want to pursue Psychology — assuming you have the option, should you take a BA in Psychology or a BSc? What’s the difference between a BA and BSc, anyway?
What is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree?
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the most common type of undergraduate university degree. A BA typically focuses on “softer” skills, like communication, critical thinking, and value judgments. You might consider a BA’s focus “qualitative” rather than “quantitative.” (Basically, this means there’s more of a focus on subjective experience and interpretation.)
In classes, you’ll explore the ways your field affects the lived experiences of people — how human beings feel is never far from consideration in a BA. You can expect to read written accounts, make inferences from data, and discuss your ideas with classmates. Often, BA programs involve a lot of writing.
Critically, a BA isn’t always a degree in art! You can take a BA without ever picking up a paintbrush or donning dancing shoes. The “art” in “Bachelor of Arts” is an old-school use of the term, referring more to the humanities and “liberal arts” than what we think of as visual or performing arts.
BA degrees are popular at most universities. Some schools have a strong reputation for the humanities or liberal arts, where you’ll likely find many BA options. Some programs will only be offered on the BA side. This list includes areas like history, media culture, and literature.
What is a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree?
A Bachelor of Science (BSc) is less common overall at most universities, though it’s still a popular category. A BSc concentrates on “hard” skills, like research and analysis, technical competence, and logic. A BSc is often more interested in “quantitative” data over “qualitative.” (In general, you’ll be working with numbers, data, and statistics; more “objective” measures that aren’t related to peoples’ feelings.)
In classes, you’ll gather and analyze information to help you understand your subject on a detailed, technical level. While lived experiences might be part of this data, that’s not usually the focus. You’ll spend time taking measurements, gathering data, and using math and science techniques to draw conclusions. BSc programs typically involve plenty of lab reports and technical documents.
Pursuing a BSc doesn’t necessarily make you a scientist, but it can help you develop the technical skills and data-gathering chops to get you there. You may not always be mixing colorful chemicals in beakers, but you’ll adopt a scientist’s mindset to interrogate your assumptions.
BSc degrees are more common at universities with a strong background in research, though most schools will offer at least a few science degrees. Some programs will only be offered on the BSc side, including things like physics, environmental engineering, or biology.
What Programs Usually Have a BA or BSc Option?
Though the specifics of each program vary by university, here’s a quick list of some of the most common programs to offer a BA or BSc “stream”:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education
- Geography
- Psychology
Again, not all schools will offer both “streams” for every program, so you’ll need to do careful research to find the right option(s) for you.
How Long Does a BA or BSc Take to Complete?
There’s usually no major variation in timeline to complete a BA or BSc. Both will take most students about four years for an honors degree, and while a BSc might have more technical requirements, you should still be on pace to finish in four years.
So, for most students, there’s no difference in the time it takes to complete a BA vs. a BSc. (If you fall behind, lab reports might be harder to catch up on than book reports, so keep that in mind.)
How Do I Switch from One Stream to Another?
Because each university program is made up of individual courses, you may be able to switch “streams” midway through, from a BA to BSc, or BSc to BA. Many of the courses that comprise the programs will be shared between the streams, so you won’t necessarily lose out on progress by switching your focus. Bear in mind, in some cases, a BA student might take an “easier” version of a technical course, like statistics, than a BSc student would. This will vary quite a bit by school and program. When in doubt, ask!
To switch streams, you’ll need to get in touch with the department that runs your program. There are no hard-and-fast rules about changing streams, so speak with an academic counselor to get some expert perspective, lay out your goals, and see what might be the best fit for you. You’ll never be trapped doing something you don’t want to do!
How Do I Decide on a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree?
First off, you need to be sure that the program you’re interested in offers you the option. Only some programs will have both BA and BSc options, and different schools will have different choices. Here are a few ways to help you decide whether a BA or BSc is right for you:
- Your Interests: Spend some time thinking about what you like! No, really. If you don’t have a driving passion that animates you, you’ll have a harder time getting through lectures and exams than someone who does. Sure, parents typically love doctors, lawyers, and business executives, but if you care more about medieval poetry or rural demography, you might struggle in your classes.
Having a personal interest in the material is the surest way to remain engaged and active in your classes — which will go a long way to helping you succeed and graduate on time. You don’t have to have your whole life planned out, but take a few moments to reflect on your natural aptitudes. Are you drawn to interpretive, subjective thinking, or do you prefer more logical, objective perspectives? At heart, are you more of an artist or a scientist?
- Consider Your Career Goals: Another crucial factor is your career aspirations. Research the typical career paths associated with each degree to determine which aligns with your professional goals. A BA degree often leads to careers in education, writing, journalism, social work, counseling, and the arts. It provides a strong foundation for pursuing graduate studies in humanities, social sciences, law, or business-related fields.
Conversely, a BSc degree opens doors to careers in engineering, technology, research, healthcare, environmental science, data analysis, and more. It equips you with analytical, technical, and scientific skills sought after in industries driven by innovation and discovery.
- Analyze Skill Development: Consider the skills you want to develop during your undergraduate studies. A BA degree enhances your communication, critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving abilities. It nurtures your creativity, empathy, and understanding of diverse perspectives, contributing to effective interpersonal skills.
In contrast, a BSc degree focuses on honing analytical, mathematical, scientific reasoning, research, and technical skills. It emphasizes logical thinking, data analysis, and the ability to apply scientific principles to real-world problems.
- Evaluate Academic Approach: Reflect on your preferred academic approach and learning style. BA programs often adopt a broader and interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to explore connections between different subjects. They offer flexibility in course selection, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and curiosity.
BSc programs, however, adopt a more specialized and focused approach within a specific scientific field. They provide a deep understanding of scientific principles, requiring a strong foundation in science and math courses. BSc programs generally have a more structured curriculum, leaving less room for elective courses outside the major.
- Assess Course Requirements: Examine the course requirements of both degree programs. A BA degree typically requires fewer credits in science and math courses, enabling a more diverse range of elective options. It allows you to explore various disciplines and broaden your academic horizons.
On the other hand, a BSc degree requires a higher number of credits in science and math courses. This leaves less room for elective courses outside the major, as it emphasizes building a strong scientific foundation in your chosen field.
- Research Graduate Studies: If you intend to pursue advanced studies, research the graduate programs you are interested in. Some fields may have specific preferences for either a BA or a BSc degree. For instance, humanities, social sciences, law, or business-related graduate programs often favor applicants with a BA degree. Meanwhile, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, or technology-related graduate programs may prioritize applicants with a BSc degree.
- Seek Guidance: Lastly, seek guidance from academic advisors, professors, professionals working in your field of interest, and current students in BA and BSc programs. Their insights can provide valuable perspectives, helping you make an informed decision based on their experiences and expertise.
10 differences between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree
| Difference | BA Degree | BSc Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | Focuses on humanities and social sciences, including subjects like literature, history, psychology, sociology, and philosophy. | Emphasizes natural and physical sciences, such as mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and biology. |
| Core Courses | Often includes a broad range of liberal arts courses, allowing for exploration across various disciplines. | Typically includes a strong foundation in specialized scientific courses specific to the chosen field of study. |
| Research Orientation | Emphasizes qualitative research methods and critical analysis of texts, ideas, and theories. | Emphasizes quantitative research methods, data analysis, and experimentation. |
| Career Paths | Commonly leads to careers in fields like education, writing, journalism, social work, counseling, and the arts. | Commonly leads to careers in fields like engineering, technology, research, healthcare, environmental science, and data analysis. |
| Skills Developed | Enhances communication, critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills, along with a broader understanding of human behavior and society. | Enhances analytical, mathematical, scientific reasoning, research, and technical skills, along with a deeper understanding of natural phenomena and scientific principles. |
| Graduate Studies | Often pursued by students interested in furthering their education in areas like humanities, social sciences, law, or business. | Often pursued by students interested in advanced studies in areas like natural sciences, engineering, medicine, or technology. |
| Degree Names in Different Countries | In some countries, the distinction between BA and BSc degrees may not exist, and universities may offer general Bachelor’s degrees instead. | The distinction between BA and BSc degrees may vary across countries, with different subject requirements and titles. |
| Course Requirements | Typically requires fewer credits in science and math courses, allowing for a more diverse range of elective options. | Generally requires a higher number of credits in science and math courses, leaving less room for elective courses outside the major. |
| Academic Approach | Often adopts a broader and interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to explore connections between different subjects. | Often adopts a more specialized and focused approach, providing in-depth knowledge within a specific scientific field. |
| Entry Requirements | May have more flexible entry requirements, including a wider range of subject backgrounds for admission. | May have stricter entry requirements, particularly in science and math prerequisites, to ensure students are prepared for the rigorous coursework. |