This logo isn't an ad or affiliate link. It's an organization that shares in our mission, and empowered the authors to share their insights in Byte form.
Rumie vets Bytes for compliance with our
Standards.
The organization is responsible for the completeness and reliability of the content.
Learn more
about how Rumie works with partners.
Are you figuring out what to study? Do the words "major" and "minor" blur together?
Let's break down the differences between the two and help you understand these terms with ease.
Quick Overview
Majors
Main subject that you will focus on during your degree
Most students pick majors related to their future career choice
Requires more courses to be completed
Minors
Secondary subject that you study during your degree
Often used to try out another field or to expand your range of knowledge
Requires fewer courses to be completed
How Many Credits Will This Take?
Each type of program requires a different amount of credits. Remember that the exact amount will vary depending on your school!
Here are the average amount of credits that each type of program can take up:
Majors
Takes up around 1/3 of your total credits required for graduation
Minors
Takes up around 1/4 of your total credits required for graduation
Quiz
Which program type is best suited for someone who wants to study a subject so that they can gain a basic understanding of a subject?
A minor program is the best choice in this scenario because it requires the fewest amount of credits and provides a deep enough understanding without committing a large number of credits.
Did you know?
Want to discuss this Byte or other content from Rumie? Join us in the Rumie community on Discord to connect directly with other learners using text and voice chat!
How Long Will It Take To Graduate?
There is no difference in the amount of time it takes you to graduate — whether you take two majors or one major and two minors, or any other combination.
Most students will finish their unique combination of majors, minors, or specialist programs within four years.
Photo by Estée Janssens on UnsplashBut, it is common to finish faster by taking extra courses during the summer or take some extra time by reducing the number of courses you take per semester.
The length of your degree is all up to you!
Will There Be A Difference In Cost?
There can be a difference in cost.
Some programs are deregulated — students that are in those programs have to pay more because they are more competitive and require additional resources during their study period.
Examples of deregulated programs (at the University of Toronto ):
Computer Science
Commerce
Bioinfomatics
However, if you are in regular programs, there are no major differences in cost between the different program types.
Mix Them Up!
The great thing about combining different fields of study is that you can learn about different fields and create a unique mix for a degree that fits you best.
Your options may vary depending on your school, but here are some of the common combinations of programs available:
2 majors
1 major + 1 minor
1 major + 2 minors
Take Action
Now that you're more familiar with these terms, it's time to explore all the options in front of you!
This Byte has been authored by
Adrienne Cheng
Designer
BA