Top-Up Degree In The UK || Why You Should Consider A Top-Up Degree
What is a Top-Up Degree?
Top-up degrees are equivalent to the final year of study in the university. A top-up degree allows you to convert relevant qualifications like a foundation degree or HND to a complete bachelor’s degree qualification.
While a standard undergraduate degree in the UK will take three to four years to complete, a top-up degree typically runs for one year and is recognized and accepted as a Bachelors degree.
Top-up degrees are generally for students who wish to gain an internationally recognized qualification and also develop their knowledge and skills in a specific field of study.
What qualifications can you top-up?
UK universities that run top-up programmes allow you to top-up your existing Level 5 qualification to a full undergraduate degree. These qualifications include:
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Foundation Degree
- Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- Level 5 NVQ
Though a top-up programme allows you to convert a Level 5 qualification to an honours degree, you should note that you cannot top up a Bachelors degree to a Bachelors degree with Honours.
Why should you consider a top-up degree in the UK?
As earlier mentioned, top-up degrees in the UK allow you to convert your existing Level 5 qualification to a full undergraduate degree in a year. This is in contrast to the standard three to four-year duration of an undergraduate degree in the UK.
Top-up degrees are designed with a curriculum that is aligned to suit the present-day job market. This means students get to develop the specific skill set needed to succeed in their industry. Top-up programmes are an ideal choice for students looking to access graduate-level jobs as they give you a great head start in your career and provide the academic requirements and skills needed for these roles. Students who graduate from top-up programmes have the technical and professional knowledge to apply in their industry.
Top-up degrees are also a great option for students who want to further their studies to the postgraduate level. For most postgraduate programmes in the UK, an undergraduate degree is a major entry requirement.
What subject areas can you study for a top-up degree in the UK?
When applying for a top-up programme, you should note that your existing qualification should be related to whatever subject area you are applying for. There are several universities in the UK that offer top-up programmes. These universities, however, may not have top-up programmes for all subject areas. The most popular subject areas for a top-up degree in the UK are:
- Business and Management
- Accounting and Finance
- IT and Law
- Science and Engineering
- Health and Social care
- Art and Design
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Food and Nutrition
Which UK Universities offer top-up programmes?
Several universities and courses have specific entry requirements to be met, so you will need to ensure you meet the requirements of your desired course programme before you apply. Here are 10 top universities to explore for a top-up degree in the UK:
