Levels of study

Undergraduate programmes

Foundation Programme

This is a one year preliminary course which gives you the qualification you need for entry to the first year of an undergraduate degree programme.

Foundation degree

A Foundation degree is an employment-related Higher Education which combines academic and work-based learning. They are designed in partnership with employers and are normally related to employment in a particular sector. A full-time course will usually take two years to complete; a part-time course may take longer while you are working. The abbreviation FdSc is used for a science-based award, and FdA for an arts-based award.

You can get more information from Foundation Degree Forward and the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

Certificate of Higher Education

A Certificate of Higher Education normally involves one year full-time study, and is equivalent to the first year of a Bachelor's degree.

Diploma of Higher Education

A Diploma of Higher Education normally involves two years' full-time study, and is equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor's degree.

Bachelor's degree

This undergraduate degree usually lasts three years. Undergraduate degrees can be BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science), LLB (Bachelor of Laws) or BEng (Bachelor of Engineering). Some Engineering degrees and all degrees with a compulsory period abroad or a sandwich placement last four years.

Postgraduate programmes

Graduate Diploma

A Graduate Diploma is for students who already have a degree. The level of study usually incorporates both undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

Postgraduate Certificate

A Postgraduate Certificate is the first part (60 credits) of a Master's degree. It normally takes 9 to 12 months to complete full-time.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

The PGCE is a one year course that trains graduates as teachers.

Postgraduate Diploma

A Postgraduate Diploma involves the taught element (120 credits) of a Master's degree.

Master's degree

A Master's degree is a postgraduate qualification usually involving nine months of academic tuition and a three month project/dissertation. The award may be a MA (Master of Arts), MBA (Master of Business Administration) or MSc (Master of Science). Students can choose to take a Master's by research (MPhil - Master of Philosophy) which usually does not involve taught modules.

PhD

The PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is a research degree which usually takes at least three years to complete. You undertake an original piece of research, working independently, with guidance from a supervisor.