Before we look at what is a Diploma or Degree, it is probably best to understand what is meant by different 'levels' of study, and here, we will refer to those levels associated with England (qaa.ac.uk, ofqual.gov.uk), Wales (cqfw.net), and Northern Ireland (ccea.org.uk). Scotland (scqf.org.uk) has a slightly different level structure. More information can be found by clicking here.
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, there are eight levels of study, and a level of study reflects the depth of knowledge taught at each stage, as well as the quality of student output expected. The level structure is comparable to the various stages of the educational system and can be broken down as follows:
Level 1 (13-120 credits) = GCSE level (grades D-G, or 3-1), Level 1 Cert/Diploma = Basic Knowledge & Skills.
Level 2 (13-120 credits) = GCSE level (grades A*-C, or 9-4), Level 2 Cert/Diploma = Good Knowledge & Skills.
Level 3 (13-180 credits) = AS, A level, Level 3 Cert/Diploma = Apply of Knowledge & Skills.
Level 4 (13-120 credits) = Year 1 of Bachelor's Degree, Level 4 Cert/Diploma = Analysis of Knowledge & Skills.
Level 5 (13-120 credits) = Year 2 of Bachelor's Degree, Level 5 Cert/Diploma = Advanced Knowledge & Skills.
Level 6 (13-120 credits) = Year 3 of Bachelor's Degree, Level 6 Cert/Diploma = Specialist-level Knowledge & Skills.
Level 7 (13-180 credits) = Master’s Degree, Level 7 Cert/Diploma = Highly Developed Knowledge & Skills.
Level 8 (120-540 credits) = Doctorate, DBA, DPhil, PhD, Level 8 Diploma = Research New Knowledge & Skills.
In UK education, credits are a unit of measurement for the amount of work required to complete a particular course or module. One credit is equivalent to 10 notional hours of study, which includes both contact time (lectures, seminars, tutorials, etc.) and independent study. The number of credits required for a particular qualification varies depending on the level of study and the subject area. For example, a diploma typically requires 120 credits, a bachelor's degree requires 360 credits, a master's degree requires 180 credits.
Diploma, Diploma of Higher Education, Higher National Diploma, Graduate Diploma; all different qualification levels, but all using the same terminology - so what exactly is a Diploma, and what level of study does it imply?
A Diploma qualification refers to the number of learning credits (37 credits or more) that a student will study and aim to achieve in a course, and it can be awarded at any level (level 1–8), for example, a Level 2 diploma, Level 3 diploma, Level 4 diploma, Level 5 diploma, and so on. At each level, 1 to 12 credits are required to receive an award; 13 to 26 credits are required to receive a certificate; and 37 credits or more are required to receive a diploma.
Diploma qualifications can be used to advance to degree programmes:
1) A Level 3 Diploma student will study a course equivalent to A-Level standard, as well as a qualification that can be used to gain entry into a 3 Year Undergraduate Degree programme (360 credits).
2) A Level 4 & 5 Diploma (240 credits) student will study a course equivalent to years 1 & 2 of an Undergraduate Degree, as well as a qualification that can be used for entry into a Degree Top-Up or Year 3 of an Undergraduate Degree programme (120 credits).
3) A Level 6 Diploma (120 credits) student will study a course equivalent to year 3 of an Undergraduate Degree, as well as a qualification that can be used to gain entry into a Postgraduate Diploma or Master's Degree programme.
4) A Level 7 Diploma (120 credits) student will study a course equivalent to two-thirds of a Master's Degree standard, as well as a qualification that can be used to enter a Master's Degree Top-Up programme (60 credits).
5) A Level 8 Diploma (160 credits) student will study a course equivalent to a portion of a Doctorate Degree (DBA) standard, as well as a qualification that can be used to gain admission to a Doctorate Degree (DBA) programme with advanced standing through RPL.
After A levels or Level 3 Diplomas, a Bachelor's degree (Level 4, 5, or 6) is usually the next step in education. Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) are the most common titles. Bachelor degrees usually have the option to be studied 'with honours'. When 360 credits are obtained, an honours degree is awarded, whereas a non-honours degree requires 300 credits. Extra points are typically given for a research project, such as a dissertation (60 credits). The honours component is abbreviated as part of the degree title, for example, BA (Hons).
A Masters degree (Level 7) is the next level of study after a Bachelor's degree or eqivalent. Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) are the two most common titles. An MBA is a type of Masters degree, but admission requires business work experience in addition to a Bachelor's degree or equivalent. It is intended for professionals aspiring to executive and senior management positions.
The highest level of research/academic degree is a Doctorate (PhD/DBA). At Doctorate (Level 8), students must complete an independent research project that can take years to complete. The degree is highly valued, and many students use their Doctorates to work as academics or industry researchers.
UCAS Tariff points are a way of measuring the academic achievements of students who apply to UK universities for the degree programmes. They are based on the grades and qualifications that students obtain in their post-16 education. Different qualifications and grades have different UCAS Tariff points values, and universities usually set a minimum number of UCAS points that applicants need to have in order to be considered for admission. More information can be found by clicking here. SBC does offer qualifi level 3 diploma qualifications worth 24-64 UCAS Tariff points.
UK ENIC is the designated United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills. They provide recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills to UK standards. UK ENIC issues Statements of Comparability that show the comparable UK level and qualification of an international qualification. They also offer a Certificate of Comparability that shows the same information as the statement in a decorative document.
UK diploma fees are typically between £1,000 and £6,000 per level/year, while UK degree fees are typically between £6,000 and £20,000 per level/year.
Foundation Courses
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses
