Course types
Honours degrees
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Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
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Internationally respected, universally understood.
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An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
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Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
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Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
See a list of honours degrees
Integrated masters degree
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Combines study at the level of an undergraduate honours degree with study at postgraduate (masters) level.
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Common in engineering, mathematics and science.
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Often linked to professional body recognition.
See a list of integrated masters degrees
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
- Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
This type of course may be of particular interest if you’re living or working in Scotland.
See a list of diplomas of higher education
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
- Count it towards further qualifications such as a foundation degree, DipHE or honours degree.
See a list of certificates of higher education
Open University certificates
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Qualification unique to The Open University.
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Focus on a particular profession or subject area.
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Study for interest or career development.
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A wide range of subjects and levels.
See a list of OU certificates
Undergraduate modules
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Self-contained unit of teaching, learning and assessment.
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Combine modules towards OU qualifications, or study individually for interest or professional development.
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Credit in an appropriate subject is widely recognised by many other universities.
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Level of difficulty graded as Access or OU level 1, 2 and 3 (equivalent to FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6, SCQF levels 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively).
See a list of modules
Short courses
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Standalone courses for interest or professional development.
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Flexible start dates.
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Study entirely online, in your own time.
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Ideal if you don’t need academic recognition (credits) or a qualification.
See a list of short courses
Masters degrees
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Internationally respected, universally understood.
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Enhance your career prospects and increase your salary potential.
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Gain specialist academic, professional and technical knowledge and skills.
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Compete in the UK jobs market and further afield.
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Progression route to a research degree, for example, a PhD.
See a list of masters degrees
Postgraduate diplomas
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to two thirds of a masters degree.
- Deepen your academic, professional and technical knowledge and skills.
- Boost your career or take it in a new direction.
- Just one more year of part-time study to complete a masters degree.
See a list of postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate certificates
- The first step on the way to a masters degree.
- A valuable qualification in its own right.
- Ideal for professional and career development.
- Enhance your academic, professional and technical knowledge and skills.
- Just two more years of part-time study to complete a masters degree.
See a list of postgraduate certificates
Postgraduate modules
- Self-contained unit of teaching, learning and assessment.
- Combine modules towards OU qualifications, or study individually for interest or professional development.
- Credit in an appropriate subject is widely recognised by many other universities.
See a list of postgraduate modules
Featured courses
MBA (Masters in Business Administration)
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Highly respected and recognised throughout the world.
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Fast track your career and increase your salary potential.
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Core disciplines include human resource management, organisational behaviour, accounting and finance, marketing and operations.
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A postgraduate qualification – flexible progression routes to help you meet the entry requirements.
For more information, see the MBA course description