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Higher education qualifications Higher learning at work series www.higherlearningatwork.org
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of higher education (HE) qualifications available. These include:
yy Honours degree (BSc/BA/BEng/BEd) yy Sandwich course yy Modular degree yy Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education yy Foundation degree yy Higher National Diploma/Higher National Certificate yy National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) yy Professional qualification (e.g. CIM/CIMA/CIOB) yy Postgraduate qualification (MSc/MA/PhD). Learners need to understand the differences between them so that they can make an informed choice about their study.
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Higher education qualifications
There are many different types
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Honours degree Honours degrees are the most common HE qualification and they are usually offered by universities or colleges. Courses are usually three or four years on a full-time basis. However, two year fast-track honours degrees are now offered by many universities. Some courses can be taken on a part-time basis. Studying part-time usually adds a further two or three years to the length of the course. Some honours degrees may also be available by distance learning, with the biggest provider being the Open University. Many honours degrees are non-vocational and are focused on a specific subject or a number of related subjects, for example English, or perhaps English and History together. There are vocational honours degrees as well, such as Engineering, Environmental Health or Interior Design. If a degree is vocational it often also awards a professional qualification which is required to work in that specific field. When a learner chooses an honours degree they may come across initials such as BSc or BA and these refer to the type of degree being studied, for example a BSc refers to a Bachelor of Science and a BA refers to a Bachelor of Arts. Which initials are used depends on the subject matter. BSc and BA are the most commonly seen but there are others such as BEng, which is a Bachelor of Engineering, or BEd, which is a Bachelor of Education. By looking at the initials you can tell the broad nature of the course but nothing specific about the content. For a searchable database of all full-time HE courses visit www.ucas.ac.uk Part-time courses will be listed on individual institutions’ websites.
Sandwich course Some full-time honours degrees are available as a ‘sandwich course’, which means the student spends a period of time (usually a year) at work during the course. Sandwich courses are therefore usually four years in length. The benefit of a sandwich course is that learners gain relevant work experience and can apply some of the new skills and knowledge they have developed. This may be useful if the person is considering a new career.
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Higher education qualifications
“Many honours degrees are nonvocational and are focused on a specific subject or a number of related subjects, for example English, or perhaps English and History together.”
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Modular degrees An honours degree may also be offered as a ‘modular’ degree, which is a course that gives students as much flexibility as possible to design their own programme of study. Modular degrees allow combinations of subjects not usually available, although there are some restrictions on the choice of modules as usually they are from the same kinds of subject. For example you may be able to choose from an area such as Humanities and Social Sciences e.g. history, English, sociology, law, criminology, psychology, philosophy, etc. Modular degrees are great for people wanting to get a broad-based degree but learners with specific career plans may find they are too general.
Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education Universities sometimes offer a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education, although they are not commonly available. These can be offered full- or part-time, taking around two or three years. They are often based around a non-vocational subject and are aimed at adults who want to further their knowledge but who are not ready to commit to a full degree programme. They tend to cover the same subjects as a full honours degree but there is less content. Those taking a certificate or diploma course can continue their studies to achieve an honours degree.
Foundation degree Foundation degrees are relatively new HE qualifications, combining academic and work-based learning and they are specifically designed for people wishing to develop work-related skills. Courses can be full-time (usually over two years) or part-time (usually over two or more years). Courses are available at universities, local further education colleges and through private training providers. Foundation degrees are always awarded by a university. The part-time route is particularly useful for those already working in a relevant job and wanting to progress further. Learners who take a part-time Foundation degree are likely to do most of their learning at work and attend a college or university perhaps only once or twice a week. Full-time students are likely to spend more time at a college or university and will also go out on work placements to develop relevant work experience. Once a student completes a Foundation degree they can continue their studies to complete a related honours degree or another higher level qualification (sometimes a professional qualification). Every Foundation degree should have a least one linked honours degree (or other relevant higher level course) to which a student can progress after completion of the Foundation degree. A student would usually progress to the final year of the honours degree rather than starting at the beginning. In some cases Foundation degree graduates may be required to enter year two of the honours degree programme. As an example, someone completing a Business Management Foundation degree would usually be able to take one more year of study to achieve the honours degree in Business Finance. For a national listing of Foundation degrees visit: www.direct.gov.uk/foundationdegrees Full-time Foundation degrees are also listed by UCAS at: www.ucas.ac.uk
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“The part-time route is particularly useful for those already working in a relevant job and wanting to progress further.”
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Higher National Diploma/ Higher National Certificate A Higher National Diploma (HND) and a Higher National Certificate (HNC) are vocational qualifications in a broad range of work-related subjects such as business management, electronic engineering, clothing design and food management. HNCs are generally offered part-time to those already in employment and usually take two years. HNDs are more likely to be two years full-time, but part-time options are available. HND students are less likely to need relevant work experience to take part in the course. Like Foundation degrees, the emphasis on HNDs and HNCs is on the development of knowledge and skills needed for the workplace, so these qualifications are great for those wanting to progress at work. There are some differences in how Foundation degrees and HNCs/HNDs are set up and delivered so it is important for potential learners to find out exactly what they will be studying and how much work-based learning they will undertake. HNCs/HNDs can also be ‘topped up’ to achieve an honours degree if the student wants to continue with their learning. The learner would join either year two or three of a degree course if they had a relevant HNC or HND. However, being able to top up very much depends on whether a student has taken relevant modules. For a list of all Higher National courses visit www.ucas.ac.uk or search at https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk For further information on all BTEC qualifications, visit www.edexcel.com
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Higher education qualifications
“HNCs/HNDs can also be ‘topped up’ to achieve an honours degree if the student wants to continue with their learning.”
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National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) An NVQ is a qualification that shows someone has the right knowledge and skills to do a specific job and NVQs are therefore aimed at those in the workplace. They are of particular interest to those already doing a job who want a qualification that recognises what they can do. NVQs go from Level 1 to Level 5 in the NQF and the QCF, with Levels 4 and 5 being considered equivalent to HE qualifications. NVQs vary enormously in length, depending on the level taken and on how quickly a learner is able to demonstrate they are competent in each aspect of their job. NVQs are available relating to most jobs and sectors, although there are some exceptions. An example of an NVQ is Management NVQ which is available at Levels 3–5. Level 3 is aimed at first line managers, such as a supervisor. Level 4 is for middle managers and Level 5 for those in senior management positions. As much of the course is about demonstrating job related skills it is largely completed at work. However at Level 4 and Level 5 there is some related academic study required and this is often provided by a work-based learning provider or a local college of further education rather than a university.
Professional qualifications A professional qualification is awarded by a professional body. Many professional qualifications are delivered through HE institutions, although some are available through further education colleges, private training providers and work-based learning providers. Some students receive a professional qualification by undertaking an honours degree or Foundation degree but they can also be taken in their own right. Some of the more commonly available qualifications are related to business management such as:
yy Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) yy Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) yy Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) yy Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) yy Certificate or Diploma of Management Studies (DMS/CMS) yy Chartered Institute of Marketing yy Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). Professional qualifications are suitable for those learners who want a specific qualification that enables them to gain employment or promotion within their chosen field. Professional bodies can advise a learner on the most appropriate course for them.
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“Many professional qualifications are delivered through HE institutions, although some are available through further education colleges, private training providers.”
Published by unionlearn Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS 020 7636 4030 www.unionlearn.org.uk
This document was originally produced by fdf – innovating workforce development.
Postgraduate qualifications The term postgraduate refers to a qualification taken by those who already hold a degree or other HE qualification. There are two main types of postgraduate qualifications, ‘taught’ courses and ‘research-based’ courses.
Further information For further information about qualifications, visit www.direct.gov.uk The section on Education and Learning includes “Qualifications Explained” and “Higher Education Qualifications”.
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