Double Degrees: How Your WAM is Calculated Across Faculties

The Double Degree Dilemma

Australia is globally unique in its obsession with the "Double Degree." Massive percentages of students undertake combinations like Engineering/Commerce, Arts/Law, or Science/Computer Science. It takes 4 to 5 years, but you graduate with two distinct bachelor's degrees.

But this creates a massive source of anxiety: How is your WAM actually calculated?

If you have an 85 WAM in your Arts subjects and a 62 WAM in your Law subjects, what number do you put on your resume?

1. The University Transcript Reality

Most Australian universities (like UNSW, Monash, and UQ) calculate one single cumulative WAM for your entire enrollment.

The system takes every single unit you have completed across both degrees, multiplies the grade by the credit points, and averages them out.

The Shield Effect: In a Law/Arts degree, Law is notoriously difficult to score above a 75. Arts subjects (like History or Sociology) are often easier to score High Distinctions in if you are a strong writer. Your high Arts grades act as a "shield," dragging your overall combined WAM up.

2. The HR Screening Reality

Here is the trap. You apply for an elite corporate law firm (like King & Wood Mallesons). You proudly write on your resume: WAM: 78.

During the HR screening, they ask for your official transcript. The recruiter manually separates your Law subjects from your Arts subjects. They realize your "Law WAM" is actually a 64.

The Corporate Rule: Employers only care about the WAM relevant to their industry.

An engineering firm will completely ignore the High Distinctions you got in your "Introduction to Marketing" electives. They will calculate a custom WAM based solely on your thermodynamics and fluid mechanics units.

3. Resume Strategy for Double Degrees

You are legally allowed to break down your WAM on your resume, provided you do not lie.

If you are applying for a software engineering job and your overall WAM is dragged down by your Commerce degree, format your resume like this:

Bachelor of Computer Science / Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW) Computer Science WAM: 82 (High Distinction)* Overall WAM: 71*

This immediately highlights your strength in the relevant field while remaining completely honest about your overall performance.

4. Honours Calculation

If you intend to do an Honours year (which is critical for Psychology or Science), the faculty will only look at the WAM of the specific degree you are taking into Honours. Your second degree is mathematically erased from the admissions calculation.

Stop guessing your combined average. Enter your units from both faculties into our Cumulative WAM Calculator to see exactly where you stand.