If you’re thinking about going to university, you may be wondering about the types of different degree levels and the right one for you. To make it more clear, the common types of UK degrees have been outlined:
Higher National Diploma (Level 5): A qualification that is awarded by further education institutions and is equivalent to a foundation degree. These degrees are two year courses and are specifically designed for more hands on experience and the world of work. It can also be used to gain entry to most UK universities.
Foundation Degree (Level 4 and 5): Equivalent to two-thirds of a Bachelor’s degree and 240 credits, this qualification usually takes around two years full-time or four years part-time to complete. Post Holders can go onto study further in the field and complete an undergraduate degree or seek employment. The first year (Level 4) is made up of 120 credits and the second year (Level 5) is made up of 120 credits.
Bachelor’s Degree (Level 6): The most common type of undergraduate degrees, these usually last three to four years full-time and students are awarded with a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) Bachelor of Law (LLB) or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) depending on the course they study. Students will often go into their chosen career or pursue further studies upon graduating.
Master’s Degree (Level 7): This postgraduate qualification is an advanced academic degree where study is more intense and subjects are more in-depth. The degree is awarded to students who demonstrate mastery in a field of study.
PhD (Level 8): The highest level of degree and also known as a doctorate, students conduct more independent and original research in their chosen area and field of study. Students choose their own topic and investigate their own research to create a written piece of advanced research (thesis) in most academic fields. The average length of time it takes to complete is three to four years.
