Colleges in London - Levels of Higher Education in The UK

There are a diverse variety of type and level of qualifications available at universities and colleges in London.

There are two main types and levels of qualification in UK Higher Education, Vocational and Academic which are linked to the Qualifications Credits Framework (QCF) and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).

Career-Related Qualifications

Vocational qualifications are measured by level and size according to credit value, or accumulated learning hours and are structured around the QCF. As well as eight Levels of Study which increase in complexity, there are three sizes of vocational qualification from Awards which bear between 1 and 12 credits to Diplomas which bear 37 or more Credits. Qualifications awarded in Higher Education colleges in London start from Level 4 of this framework.

The QCF also aligns with a European framework so that National Qualifications can be recognized of equal value in EU countries.

Recognized Awarding Body Qualifications

University colleges in London award Academic Qualifications in compliance with the Quality Assurance Agency and FHEQ, a framework uniquely associated with recognized UK University awarding bodies.

Level 4 of the QCF is equal to the first level of the FHEQ which defines each level of study by Undergraduate Foundation degree, Bachelor’s degree, progressing to Postgraduate Masters and Doctorate at level 8.

The duration and level of Academic study varies from a 3 year Undergraduate Degree equal to Level 6 of the QCF to a Postgraduate Doctorate at Level 8 and may be studied for an unspecified amount of time.

An Adaptable Pathway to your Chosen Career

One year Diplomas are vocational qualifications taught at some accredited colleges in London and can be a more accessible pathway towards Academic study in Higher Education. Diplomas at Level 4 and Level 5 are equivalent to the first and second year of an Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree, and can be converted to a recognized Higher Education Academic qualification by completing a final Top up year equal to the final year of a Bachelor’s Degree.

The diverse qualifications and levels offered at colleges in London may seem slightly bewildering, but despite the seeming complexity of the UK Higher Education system, the two qualification frameworks utilized enable students to choose a flexible and specialized route in any subject area whether it’s by gaining an accredited career related qualification or by developing academic and research skills through an internationally recognized degree.