Types of Higher Education System
Types of Higher Education Institutions
There are two major types of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK: degree-awarding institutions and non-degree awarding institutions.
Degree-awarding institutions, which include universities and university colleges, are also referred to as ‘recognised bodies.’ On the other hand, non-degree institutions – also called ‘listed bodies’ – are those that provide students with bridging courses so they can enter into a recognised degree-awarding programme.
Degree-Awarding (Universities
and University Colleges)
International students can choose from more than 160 universities and university colleges across the UK. These recognised bodies offer a wide range of study programmes in a variety of fields, and award both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
In the UK, the power to award degrees is regulated by law, so only authorised or recognised institutions may award degrees. Not all HEIs in the UK can use the title ‘university’ or ‘university college.’ These titles are also regulated and protected by law, and the only higher education providers that may use them are those that have met the qualifications set by the government.
As recognised bodies, universities and university colleges are permitted to award three qualifications: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Some universities and colleges also award selected higher education awards, depending on the institution’s nature (such as research awards).
Universities also provide non-degree (certificate and diploma) programmes that may lead to a vocational qualification.
Non-Degree Awarding
Non-degree awarding institutions such as further education colleges and government-independent institutions (also called ‘alternative providers’) offer a variety of bridging courses and vocationally oriented programmes that students can study in order to:
-Gain employment
-Learn a specific (technical)
skill set
-Enter into a degree programme
offered by recognised bodies
The courses offered by non-degree awarding institutions are validated, under a formal recognition arrangement, by HEIs that have degree-awarding powers. Non-degree awarding HEIs may use titles such as ‘college’ as the use of such titles is not regulated by law.
Types of Credentials
Degrees
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, students can undertake a three-year undergraduate or bachelor’s degree and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc). Bachelor’s degrees fall into the Level 6 qualification. They can also select a four-year sandwich course, which requires one year of industry professional experience or one year of study abroad. Meanwhile, an undergraduate degree in Scotland takes four years to complete.
There
are two types of undergraduate degrees:
Single-honours programmes include a focused study of a single subject. The core of each programme is already designed and students have the opportunity to shape their work by choosing additional modules.
Joint-honours programmes/Combined programmes enable students to study a combination of subjects, creating opportunities to build a degree programme that would suit a student’s personal interests and needs. Note that the combination of subjects is made by the university. Students do not have the option to combine subjects themselves. Joint honours courses vary in length from three to five years.
Students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree can continue their formal studies by undertaking a postgraduate or master’s degree, which generally takes one to two years to finish when studying full-time. Master’s degrees are Level 7 postgraduate qualifications.
Diplomas
Certificates
Foundation Courses
Students who wish to study in the UK may first take a preparatory course, known as foundation studies or a pathway programme, to gain the academic or English language skills they need for admission to higher education courses. UK universities and schools, as well as private study centres with university associations, deliver foundation courses and help students quickly transfer to their degree courses. Academic pathway programmes help students gain the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge they need to enrol and be successful in their desired degree course. English language training is also incorporated into these programmes. Undergraduate foundation programmes are usually divided into streams such as business studies, science, and arts/social studies, and offer both compulsory and elective subjects. Many institutions also offer pre-master's preparation courses to help prospective students meet the requirements for direct entry to a master’s degree programme.