Types of Courses

Types of Higher Education qualifications available

Before embarking on university study you need to have an understanding of the different types of courses available.

Definitions

Foundation Degree (Fdg) - This is a vocational degree, which is two years full-time (FT) or three years if taken as a sandwich course (SW) which includes industrial experience. This degree can lead straight to employment or on to a first degree, which could be completed in twelve months. Entry requirements are at least on A level (or equivalent) or a vocational qualification at level such as an AVCE, BTEC National or Certificate or NVQ.

Higher National Diploma (HND) – This is a vocational degree with subjects that are occupationally based such as Travel and Tourism, and is two years full-time or three years if taken as a sandwich course (with industrial experience). This degree can lead straight on to employment or a first degree, which could be completed in twelve months. Entry requirements are at least on A level (or equivalent) or a vocational qualification at level such as an AVCE, BTEC National or Certificate or NVQ.

First Degree – The main qualification taken at university which is usually three or four years full-time and the entry requirements for a degree course are a minimum of two A levels (or equivalent).

These are the two most common undergraduate (or first) degrees and are usually three to four years full-time:

BA (Bachelor of Arts) for a first degree in arts and
BSc (Bachelor of Science) for a first degree in science.

There are a number of different types of courses which you can study at first degree level. You can study:

Single Honours - a single subject,
Joint Honours - two subjects taken equally (you do not do twice as much work),
Combined Honours - two or three subjects.
If you are interested in having more flexibility in your course you could take a Modular Course which allows you to pick individual units. Depending on the modules taken you will graduate with a single or joint degree.
Sandwich Course – part of the course is spent in a work placement which is usually paid employment, professional or industrial training out at work (possibly overseas). There are thick sandwich (a year out) and thin (usually 2 periods of six months). The university prospectus will give you more details about what is on offer.