Academic major

An academic major, major concentration, concentration, or simply major is a mainly U.S. term for a university student's main field of specialisation during his or her bachelor's degree studies. The university department offering the major defines a framework for the student's studies, including a certain number of required courses and a certain number of freely chosen courses relevant to the major. Some majors in some universities effectively define the student's full course of study; many others allow students considerable latitude both within their field and in their other courses. The university also generally defines general education or core education and distribution requirements.

Related Topics:
U.S. - University - Student - Bachelor's degree - Course - ''general education'' or ''core education''

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Although many students choose their major before entering a college or university, many others select it at the end of the first year of a four-year program.

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In many other countries, including the United Kingdom, undergraduate students are normally required to concentrate on one subject throughout their degree, so the concept of a "major" is not relevant. Instead, the choice of degree and subject determines the entire course of study. In Australia, the U.S. system is followed to some extent, but there are also more specialist undergraduate degrees than in the U.S.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Australia

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