Qualifications and Degrees
Universities and Colleges offer a wide range of Higher Education qualifications at undergraduate level. Here are some of the more common ones:
Bachelor's Degree
A Bachelor's degree is a qualification taking three or four years full time. Most today are awarded with honours. It is possible to study part time over a longer period either by attending a university or college or with distance learning offered by institutions including the Open University. Courses are available in one subject (single honours), two subjects (joint honours) and combined courses - up to four.
There are sandwich courses which include a work placement and with language degrees it is usual to spend a year abroad in a relevant country.
The two most common designations are a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) but there are many others such as LLB (Laws) BEd (Education) BEng (Engineering) and so on. A Bachelor's degree is at Level 6 on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) .
Integrated Master's
Some universities offer an extended undergraduate programme, taking a further year of study, resulting in a Master's degree. These are usually offered for science and engineering courses. For example the MEng, MSci, MChem and so on. Entry requirements for these courses are often higher than for the Bachelor's programmes. An integrated Master's programme is at Level 7 on the FHEQ.
Foundation Degrees
A Foundation Degree is a two year Higher Education course which is vocationally focused and has a practical approach. Entry requirements are lower than those for Bachelor's degrees. Many universities offer Foundation Degrees - sometimes study is undertaken at a college local to the university. It is possible to progress on to a 'top-up' course at the university to complete a Bachelor's degree, usually in 12- 24 months depending on the subject.
Foundation Degrees are at Level 5 of the FHEQ.
Higher National Diploma (BTEC HND)
A very long standing qualification, similar to a Foundation degree. Offered in vocational subjects and taking 2 years to complete. Again it is possible to 'top-up' and graduate with a Bachelor's degree. At Level 5 on the FHEQ.
Foundation (Introductory) courses
Some institutions offer a preparatory year prior to starting a degree course proper. It is advisable to check entry requirements as some e.g. medicine are aimed only at students who do not have the necessary subjects.
Art
It is common for students intending to apply for art and design courses at university to complete a 1 year Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design beforehand. Usually no fees are payable by those under 19 on a stand alone course; the course is also offered integrated into a degree course.
© 2023 All rights reserved
Bachelor's Degree
A Bachelor's degree is a qualification taking three or four years full time. Most today are awarded with honours. It is possible to study part time over a longer period either by attending a university or college or with distance learning offered by institutions including the Open University. Courses are available in one subject (single honours), two subjects (joint honours) and combined courses - up to four.
There are sandwich courses which include a work placement and with language degrees it is usual to spend a year abroad in a relevant country.
The two most common designations are a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) but there are many others such as LLB (Laws) BEd (Education) BEng (Engineering) and so on. A Bachelor's degree is at Level 6 on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) .
Integrated Master's
Some universities offer an extended undergraduate programme, taking a further year of study, resulting in a Master's degree. These are usually offered for science and engineering courses. For example the MEng, MSci, MChem and so on. Entry requirements for these courses are often higher than for the Bachelor's programmes. An integrated Master's programme is at Level 7 on the FHEQ.
Foundation Degrees
A Foundation Degree is a two year Higher Education course which is vocationally focused and has a practical approach. Entry requirements are lower than those for Bachelor's degrees. Many universities offer Foundation Degrees - sometimes study is undertaken at a college local to the university. It is possible to progress on to a 'top-up' course at the university to complete a Bachelor's degree, usually in 12- 24 months depending on the subject.
Foundation Degrees are at Level 5 of the FHEQ.
Higher National Diploma (BTEC HND)
A very long standing qualification, similar to a Foundation degree. Offered in vocational subjects and taking 2 years to complete. Again it is possible to 'top-up' and graduate with a Bachelor's degree. At Level 5 on the FHEQ.
Foundation (Introductory) courses
Some institutions offer a preparatory year prior to starting a degree course proper. It is advisable to check entry requirements as some e.g. medicine are aimed only at students who do not have the necessary subjects.
Art
It is common for students intending to apply for art and design courses at university to complete a 1 year Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design beforehand. Usually no fees are payable by those under 19 on a stand alone course; the course is also offered integrated into a degree course.
© 2023 All rights reserved