What are top-up degrees?
Often, people who have completed a qualification(s) which is not quite a degree have the opportunity to ‘top-up’ their qualification to a full degree. Typically, the top-up degree options are equivalent to the final year of undergraduate study. Depending on the institution, you can do the top-up in a variety of ways – either attending on-campus (full-time or part-time), or doing it online at your own pace.
To qualify for a top-up, you should normally have achieved a diploma qualification in a relevant subject. This means that the course of study should be closely tied to your previous qualification, although it does not have to be the same subject. This flexibility allows students to have a wide range of career prospects upon graduation.
Likewise, with industry experience and a higher-level Diploma (e.g. Level 6 or 7), you can apply to do a top-up to a Master’s degree (e.g. MBA).
Qualification equivalencies
Here are some examples of qualification equivalencies:
University Foundation Level, Level 3 Courses are equivalent to A- Levels and will be accepted by most Universities for entry on to their Undergraduate course, subject to any other entry requirements, such as English Language competency.
First and second year of a University Degree, Level 4/5 Courses carry 240 credits and most Universities will accept students for top up onto the final year of an Undergraduate Degree either on campus or by distance learning.
Postgraduate MBA Entry, Level 6 Courses will allow students entry onto most university Postgraduate Management courses, relevant work experience and English language competency may also be required.
MBA Advanced Entry, Level 7 Courses. Many Universities will accept 120 credits as advanced entry onto an MBA top up. It should be noted that Universities with AMBA accredited MBAs will not accept any exemptions but will usually accept Level 6 or Level 7 as entry qualifications.
University Pathways
Thanks to the recognition of the ATHE as an Ofqual-approved awarding body, our university access qualifications do just that: give you access to university.
When you complete any of our pathway qualifications, you can apply to continue your studies at any of the following British universities:
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Birmingham City University
- Canterbury Christchurch University
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Coventry University
- Edinburgh Napier University*
- Leeds Beckett University*
- London Metropolitan University
- Northampton University
- Northumbria University*
- Southampton Solent University
- University of Bedfordshire
- University of Bolton
- University of Derby*
- University of Essex*
- University of Gloucestershire
- University of Kent
- University of Sunderland London Campus
- University of Worcester*
- University of Winchester
Alternatively, you can apply to study overseas at these institutions:
- Central Queensland University (Australia)*
- Charles Sturt University (Australia)*
- Curtin University (Australia)*
- Deakin University (Australia)*
- Limerick Institute of Technology (Ireland)
- Prince Edward Island University (Canada)
- Southern Cross University (Australia)
- University of Queensland (Australia)*
* Means that you can do your top-up degree through online or distance learning, as well as attending onsite.