A top-up degree is equivalent to the final year of undergraduate studies, taking one year to complete. As the name suggests, students can take their existing qualification and ‘top-up’ to achieve a full Bachelor’s level qualification. Students who hold a Level 5 qualification or equivalent (such as a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) carry 240 credits where they can be used to apply for a top-up as a route to achieve a full Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Level 6 qualification). Universities offering top-up course programmes may have multiple intakes throughout the year and can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis either on campus or through distance learning. As well as this, there are a wide range of subjects to study at top-up level and depending on the university, students may apply to their selected subject of choice. An example of this is Computing: someone who holds a Level 5 Computing qualification may be able to apply for a top-up in BSc (Hons) in Computer Networks and Security. Again, this depends on the course entry requirements so if you have any questions, always make sure to contact admissions.
Benefits of a top-up degree
Allows you to build on your previous academic experience, meaning you don’t have to start a degree from scratch
Builds skills and knowledge in subject area
Improves chances of employability
Opens up new educational and career opportunities
Enables you to apply to graduate schemes or graduate-level jobs
Allows you to further study towards a postgraduate qualification
Universities that offer top-up course programmes usually have their own entry requirements. However you will be expected to have one of the following:
A Level 5 qualification or equivalent from a recognised university or institution
A Higher National Diploma (HND)
A foundation degree
Funding a top-up degree
Students will be able to fund their top-up studies in the same way you would for an undergraduate degree. This means Home students from the UK can apply for a Student Finance as normal. More information on Student Finance can be found here. Depending on your eligibility, you may even be able to considered for a scholarship.
Brite Counsellorswith a wide number of universities and institutions and can help you apply for a top-up degree that is right for you. If you have any questions or queries about applying for a top-up programme, you can email [email protected] for more information or contact us here.
