Higher education qualifications in the UK
The range and diversity of UK higher education (HE) qualifications can sometimes seem quite daunting. You may have questions about what a qualification actually represents. What does 'with honours' or '(Hons)' mean, and is it important? What is an MEng, and how is it different to a BEng (Hons)? What does it mean when a qualification is 'postgraduate'?
The QAA has worked with staff from universities and colleges, and representatives from students', employers' and professional bodies to address such issues. This has resulted in two frameworks for HE qualifications - one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and one for Scotland. This leaflet contains details on the England, Wales and Northern Ireland framework. The Scottish framework reflects its traditionally different undergraduate structure and contains credit definitions of qualifications.
Both frameworks are concerned with qualifications and the associated knowledge and skills students should have. They also make it clear that 'postgraduate' awards will require progression above the level of the honours degree, not just represent programmes taken after graduation.
This leaflet contains summary qualification descriptors for the main qualifications at each level. The descriptors for honours, master's and doctoral degrees are equivalent across the UK.
For the complete descriptors and more information on HE qualifications, please see the frameworks, which are available from the QAA and on our web site.
Summary qualification descriptors - undergraduate
Certificate level
The holder of a certificate of higher education will have a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of a subject, and will have learned how to take different approaches to solving problems. He or she will be able to communicate accurately and will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.
Intermediate level
Holders of qualifications at this level will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study, and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. Through this, they will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Their studies may well have had a vocational orientation, enabling them to perform effectively in their chosen field. They will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.
Honours level
Graduates with a bachelor's degree with honours will have developed an understanding of a complex body of knowledge, some of it at the current boundaries of an academic discipline. Through this, the graduate will have developed analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied in many types of employment. The graduate will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively.
An honours graduate should have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable circumstances.
Summary qualification descriptors - postgraduate
Master's level
Much of the study undertaken at master's level will have been at, or informed by, the forefront of an academic or professional discipline. Students will have shown originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will show originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments.
Doctoral level
Doctorates are awarded for the creation and interpretation of knowledge, which extends the forefront of a discipline, usually through original research. Holders of doctorates will be able to conceptualise, design and implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding. Holders of doctorates will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the ability to make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, and innovation in tackling and solving problems.
Qualifications in each level of the framework for HE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Certificate (C) level - Certificates of higher education.
Intermediate (I) level - Foundation degrees, ordinary (bachelor) degrees, diplomas of higher education and other higher diplomas.
Honours (H) level - Bachelor's degrees with honours, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas Honours degrees
[eg BA (Hons), BSc (Hons) and BEng (Hons)] are the main qualification at this level and typically last 3 years.
Master's (M) level - Master's degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas
Master's degrees may be research-based (often MPhil), taught programmes (eg MA, MSc and MBA), or a mix. Most last at least a year; others may be extended programmes integrating undergraduate study (eg MEng, Mchem).
The Oxford and Cambridge MAs can be awarded to holders of their honours degrees but do not require additional academic achievement.
Doctoral (D) level - Doctorates
Doctorates tend to be at least 3 years long. PhD and DPhil generally refer to qualifications gained from original research, whilst those doctorates with a large taught element tend to include the discipline name, such as EdD for a doctor of education.
If you would like a copy of either of the frameworks, contact the QAA or go to our web site.
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