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Types of Degrees in the UK

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  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:Mar 11,2024 10:03 AM IST

The United Kingdom has for centuries remained the education capital of the world, offering quality education at different levels of expertise. Read this blog to learn in detail about the different types of degrees offered in the UK and which would serve you the best. 

Types of degrees in UK.webp
The idea of receiving quality education abroad has long fascinated many International students to take up different types of degrees in the UK. To be honest, the reasons for this growing interest are not unfounded. 

The competence of the UK's education system is a legend in its own. The country offers a rich academic legacy, renowned universities, and a vibrant cultural landscape, providing an extensive range of degree programs tailored to meet students' diverse needs and ambitions worldwide.

The freedom to choose from multiple types of qualifications in the UK is a leading factor, contributing to the overall success of the English education system. Breaking down the Different Types of Degrees in the UK

Popuar degrees in UK.webp

Pathway Programs: Transition to an undergraduate course in UK

As the name suggests, different universities offer pathway programs as introductory courses that help students prepare beforehand for challenges concerning language proficiency and skillset development.

These programs offer the chance for an easier transition and are mostly taken to build the necessary skill set to promote a smooth transition to an undergraduate course in the UK for Indian Students. 

Most UK institutions offer hybrid courses with short introductory courses known as pathways that typically last for a year before the student can move on and take up a more challenging university-level education. 

Before applying to this program, the candidate must have obtained a Standard XII Higher Secondary Certificate. Details of minimum Score in class 12th and IELTS might vary from university to university. Here are some of the popular pathway programs

UniversityProgram NameCost
Durham UniversityInternational Foundation Year In Business, Economics, Accounting And Finance, Leading To Bachelor Of Arts (Hons) In Accounting And FinanceGBP 24000 per year
Kingston University LondonInternational Foundation Year In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (3 Terms), Leading To Bachelor Of Engineering GBP 15500 per year
Leeds Beckett UniversityInternational Foundation Year In Business, Law And Social Studies (2 Semesters), Leading To Bachelor Of Arts (Hons) In BusinessGBP 20700 per year

Eligibility

Some universities do offer admission at lower scores too but it is advisable to maintain the following level.
 
1. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5. 
2. A minimum score of 55% in 10+2 standard.

Therefore, it is imperative to seek professional help from leading centers like Canamprep.  

Bachelors Courses in the UK

Bachelors or undergraduate courses in the UK commonly range from three to four years for full-time programs. However, some more technical courses can go on for as long as 60 months. 

Of the many types of degrees in the UK, a bachelor's degree is among the most sought-after programs, offering courses in many areas ranging from humanities to engineering. 

Unlike India, the education landscape in the UK encourages students to choose from multiple majors and minors. This is one of the primary reasons why an undergraduate course in the UK for Indian Students makes a lot of sense. 

The formal nomenclature of the degree awarded may vary from place to place in the UK, but all of them hold the same value. For example, a bachelor's course in some parts of the UK can lead to an MA degree. 

Duration

As mentioned, the course duration for various types of qualifications in the UK can vary depending on the field of study. 

Some 3-year courses often have 4-year alternatives with an added placement year. Therefore, it becomes essential to read about the course in detail and understand what makes it different. 

Therefore, one should always conduct thorough research or seek help from the expert counsellors at Canam to study in UK

Freedom to choose from multiple courses

A student can opt for multiple subjects and allocate them as majors or minors according to the guidelines set by different universities. 

For example, taking up more than two significant subjects as part of a bachelor's degree would lead to a joint honours degree, while only one primary subject would lead to a single honours degree. 

Also, students can take up only one primary subject and choose a minor subject as a hobby. Such an arrangement would lead to the candidate being awarded a major/minor honours degree. 

Most Popular Bachelor Programs

UniversityProgram NameCost
Robert Gordon UniversityBachelor Of Arts (Hons) In Accounting And FinanceGBP 16990 per year
Buckinghamshire New UniversityBachelor Of Science (Hons) In Nursing (Adult) With NMC RegistrationGBP 16000 per year
Birkbeck, University of LondonBachelor Of Arts In Digital Media, Arts And EntrepreneurshipGBP 16020 per year

Eligibility

Below is the Eligibility Criteria associated with applying for a bachelor's degree in UK:

1. Relevancy with subjects studied in 10+2, when looking for specific technical courses like engineering. 
2. IELTS/TOEFL/PTE test scores. 
3. Past CGPA requirements can vary from course to course. 

Master's degree in the UK

There are undoubtedly many options when looking for options to study in the UK. However, a master’s degree in the UK for international student’s triumphs over all other enrollment modes. 

The robust and disciplined education system ensures that universities produce job-ready students after completing their post-graduate studies. 
Duration

Most of the master's courses in the UK are 9-12 months if enrolled full-time, with some of the more technical and demanding courses requiring up to 24-60 months of study. 

Postgraduate Degree in UK: An Opportunity?

A master's degree in the UK offers a fantastic opportunity to network, as this level of education is probably regarded as the last gate before a student enters the professional work market. 

Also, thanks to proven standards of education in the UK, the pool of students studying will offer many avenues to network. 

Competitive Qualification Required 

Although studying in the UK does require constant scores throughout schooling, getting a good master's degree in the UK would require much more. Even if we isolate extremely complex courses like medicine and think about getting into popular yet rewarding courses like MBA and MIM, it would require the student to ace exams like GMAT and GRE. 

UniversityProgram NameCost
Birmingham City UniversityInternational Master In Business AdministrationGBP 16870 per year
Brunel University LondonMaster Of Arts In Digital Design And Branding With PlacementGBP 22855 per year
Kingston University LondonMaster Of Midwifery With Registered MidwifeGBP 16200 per year

Eligibility

Below is the eligibility Criteria associated with applying for post-graduate studies in UK:

1. Proven relevancy with subjects studied in under graduation. 
2. IELTS/TOEFL/PTE test scores. 
3. Entrance exam scores for some programs. 

Integrated Courses in UK

Integrated courses can be of many kinds. It can very well be a combination of undergraduate and postgraduate study, all packaged into a single course of 4 or 5 years. At times, they may also combine all three levels of post-school study and include PHD’s too. 

It can also be just a bachelor’s or master’s level course combining two different subjects at the same level of study. The details of these programs vary vastly from university to university. Are integrated courses really worth it? 

Integrated courses are often much longer than conventional courses and should only be pursued by someone who understands the pressure that accompanies such an advanced course.
 
Although it is understandably a tad challenging to manage, it comes with merits. If we compare different types of qualifications in the UK, this education system has a proven leverage over its counterparts over many factors like affordability, duration of course and learning outcomes. 

However nevertheless, this program is only some people's cup of tea and should only be pursued after having an in-depth conversation with our counsellor at Canam.  

Most Popular Integrated Courses in the UK

Below are the most popular integrated courses that are oferred in UK:

UniversityProgram NameCost
Loughborough UniversityMaster Of Chemistry (Hons) In Chemistry With Computing With Placement YearGBP 25700 per year
Robert Gordon UniversityMaster Of Arts (Hons) In Mechanical And Electrical EngineeringGBP 17150 per year
University of KentMaster Of Engineering In Electronic And Computer EngineeringGBP 21900 per year

Conclusion 


Pursuing a degree in UK for International students might seem like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Students, after completion of their UK degree can surely look forward to see themselves completely equipped to enter the global corporate workforce. Consult the expert counsellors at Canam to take the first step towards your dream of receiving an education in the United Kingdom. 

FAQ

Well the nomenclature and level of the qualification awarded depends on the duration of the course. Majority UK Universities follow the following guidelines. 

• Level 4 or Certificate– one year of undergraduate study
• Level 5 or Intermediate – two years of study
• Level 6 or Honours – three or four years of study.
Both the programs award multiple degrees but they are different in the sense that while pursuing a joint honours degree, a student can choose any topic available unaffected by relevancy. However, an integrated course requires relevancy between the subjects opted for. 
While both are postgraduate mode of study, a master’s degree usually require relevancy to the subject studies in under graduation. Also, the exposure of different master’s degrees can be limited to a particular region. On the other hand, an MBA is an internationally accepted degree and can be pursued by most students irrelevant of study experience, with a few exceptions. 
Pathway programs are mainly for students who are unable to meet necessary skillset criteria for a bachelor’s program. Thereby, such students are advised to take the pathway program and first enroll in a foundation program to build on areas like academic English standards and other technical knowledge necessary. 
While some universities in the United Kingdom have waved of IELTS for students who are able to prove their English proficiency skills either through submitting a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from their previous educational institute or by convincing the college authority through an online interview. Nevertheless, it is recommended to prepare and score well in IELTS to expand one’s horizon of universities.

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