Sponsored by Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"
Dual degrees – also known as double degrees or combined degrees – allow you to gain a more comprehensive knowledge of a specific subject as you’re able to study in two different countries. And given that having more of something is nearly always a good thing, you’re probably thinking: “That sounds great!”
Yes, it does, but hold on. Although a dual degree is a worthwhile endeavor and can be very beneficial, it does demand a little more commitment and self-discipline, while requiring excellent time management skills as you adapt to alternative teaching styles and overcome language barriers.
Dual degrees can be a real advantage to those who want to pursue a degree where international experience is key, such as business, political science, economics, finance or sciences. This is something which students who study a dual degree at University of Rome Tor Vergata do, as they split their academic studies between a partner university in Europe, the US or China.
Read on to find out what else you’ll gain and experience if you choose to study a dual degree.
Strengthen your employability prospects
You’ll get a head-start and a competitive edge over others as a dual degree offers an added value to your CV. A dual degree helps develop your interdisciplinary field of knowledge, as well as improves your well-rounded skillset which can be applied to an abundance of various industries and sectors.
Taking into consideration a job market that’s constantly evolving and increasingly tough, especially for graduates, a dual degree can help you stand out among the crowd.
Your networking abilities and connections will flourish
Studying at two universities in two countries means your connections will double, and your networking skills will flourish. Meeting new course colleagues, professors and lecturers from around the world is not only an advantage during your studies, but it can also be a huge benefit to you after you graduate.
You’ll gain a valuable and highly transferable skillset
Although studying a dual degree does demand more time and focus depending on what you choose to study, it certainly doesn’t double the workload despite some common misconceptions. It does reinforce a strong work ethos though, with the ability to adapt quickly and handle demanding tasks.
For example, one day you could be sitting a finance exam, and the next you’ll be writing a 5,000-word assignment on Pavlov. For some, this may be refreshing, whereas others will need to quickly learn how to switch up learning styles in order to keep up with the workload.
Demonstrates your commitment and international outlook
You’ll be an attractive hire for potential employers with a dual degree, and not just because of your extensive interdisciplinary academic experience. It will also showcase your ability to immerse yourself in a new culture, commitment to your studies, as well as the ability to adapt to alternative teaching styles.
You can learn a new language
… which only adds to your already stand-out CV! Many dual degrees around the world are taught in English – University of Rome Tor Vergata included. However, living in Italy also means you’ll get to grips with the local language, and you may even get the chance to learn an additional language while studying at one of the university’s many partner institutions, such as Swedish, German, French or Chinese Mandarin.
