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Choosing the right course for you

You’ve decided that you want to study a university degree, but how do you go about choosing the right one for you?

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There is a lot to consider when you are choosing the correct degree for you, and the course you choose will ultimately decide what award you receive at the end. 

From your existing level of education to your areas of interest, there are a few factors to consider when deciding on your next steps within higher education. 

We are here to help you understand all the different types of courses that we offer here at USW – what they mean, the entry requirements needed, and how they will boost your career as well as your education. 

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What is an Undergraduate Course?

You will typically study an undergraduate degree if you’re looking to complete your first course in higher education. A bachelor’s degree – also known as an Honours degree or a first degree – is the most common type of undergraduate qualification. 

Bachelor’s degrees usually last for three to four years. However, this is not the only study option for your first university course as you can also choose to study a Certificate of Higher Education or a Graduate Certificate.

Entry requirements vary depending on the course – most bachelor’s degrees require relevant A Levels, equivalent qualifications, or relevant work experience, however there are other routes to studying an undergraduate degree if you do not currently meet the criteria. 

Types of undergraduate study

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Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts degree, or a BA, is an undergraduate bachelor’s degree which can be awarded in a variety of subjects – from English and Drama to History and Fashion.

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Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science degree, or a BSc, is an undergraduate bachelor’s degree which can be awarded in a variety of STEM subjects – from Biology and Chemistry to Cyber Security and Medical Sciences.

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Bachelor of Engineering

A Bachelor of Engineering degree, or a BEng, is a professional and accredited undergraduate degree which awards engineering students in a few different STEM areas such as Aerospace, Automotive, Civil, Electronic and Mechanical.

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LLB degrees

A Bachelor of Law degree, or an LLB, is an undergraduate bachelor’s degree which can be awarded for studying different areas of law – from general law to criminal law or legal practice. These courses are a perfect first step for aspiring solicitors, paralegals or even barristers.

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CertHE

A Certificate of Higher Education, or a CertHE, is a stand-alone qualification which is worth 120 credits and awarded for one full-time year of study. The CertHE is designed to provide you with a foundational understanding of a particular subject or field without committing to a full degree. While it can be useful for getting a job, they can also be used as a stepping stone to a full degree.

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three students have taken seats in the moot court stand, they are listening to a statement being presented.
Students studying on a laptop and talking.
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Other degree formats

  • Degrees with a foundation year are designed for those who don’t quite meet the entry requirements for a particular course. They typically last four years full-time instead of three years as the first year prepares students who are not quite ready to start studying their degree. The foundation year leads straight into degree study with the same university.

  • Accelerated degrees are bachelor’s courses that take two years to complete rather than three years full-time. You cover the same content and get the same qualification as on a three-year course (however it does mean covering more content in a shorter period).

  • Top-up degrees will allow you to build on existing level 5 qualifications, such as a Higher National Diploma (HND) or NVQ Level 5, to gain credits and graduate with a full bachelor’s degree. You can go straight from your previous qualification or take a break before starting a top-up degree. Equivalent to the final year of undergraduate study, they are designed so you won’t need to start over with your degree when returning to education.

  • A degree with a sandwich year is an undergraduate course which includes an additional year for a work placement. The placement, which typically happens between your second and third years of study, places students in industry to gain valuable experience in their field.

  • An integrated master’s degree combines undergraduate and a postgraduate study for a subject into a single course. Integrated master’s degrees typically last for years with full-time study.

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Degree Apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships are a great way for students to gain industry experience while working towards a full undergraduate degree. Employers, universities, and professional bodies specifically design degree apprenticeships so that both students and employers to gain huge benefits from one another. Students can earn a small wage as they learn with degree apprenticeships which combine higher education learning with invaluable real-world work experience.

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What is a Postgraduate Course?

You will usually study at postgraduate level if you’re looking to further your studies or career prospects and you hold a bachelor’s degree. There are a few different types of taught and research postgraduate degrees which last for varying amounts of time. 

A master’s degree is the most popular postgraduate qualification and is often seen as the most logical step after an undergraduate degree. A master’s degree lasts for one to two years and will help you to become a specialist while enhancing your skills and employability. It can lead to more specialist jobs as well as to further study such as a PhD. 

Entry requirements vary depending on the course – while most postgraduate degrees require an undergraduate degree, sometimes applicants without a degree will be considered if they have relevant work experience. Postgraduate degrees are a great option if you’re looking to get ahead in your career. 

Types of postgraduate study

A Master of Arts degree, or an MA, is a postgraduate master’s degree which can be awarded in a variety of subjects – from English and Drama to History and Fashion.

A Master of Science degree, or a MSc, is a postgraduate master’s degree which can be awarded in a variety of STEM subjects – from Biology and Chemistry to Cyber Security and Medical Sciences.

A Master of Engineering degree, or a MEng, is a professional and accredited postgraduate degree which awards engineering students in a few different STEM areas such as Aerospace, Automotive, Civil, Electronic and Mechanical.

A Master of Business Administration, or an MBA, develops skills for careers in business and management. MBAs can be used to open doors for a managerial area in both the public and private sectors, and they equip individuals will the skills to successfully start and run their own businesses. MBAs are internationally recognised, and you typically need an undergraduate degree to enrol.

A Master of Law degree, or an LLM, is a postgraduate master’s degree which can be awarded for studying different areas of law – from general law to criminal law or legal practice. These courses are typically for law graduates or individuals working in the legal sector.

A Postgraduate Diploma, also known as a PgDip, is ideal if you want to take your undergraduate studies further without committing to a full master’s degree. Worth 120 credits, they are often vocational and give graduates an edge while being easier to fit around work. A PgDip can lead to a full master’s degree.

A Postgraduate Certificate, also known as a PgCert, is ideal if you want to take your undergraduate studies further without committing to a full master’s degree. Worth 60 credits, they are often vocational and give graduates an edge while being easier to fit around work. A PgCert can lead to a PgDip which in turn can lead to a full master’s degree.

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Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy, also known as a PhD, is a doctoral degree based on significant and original individual research which culminates in an in-depth thesis or project. There are no classes as PhDs rely on self-study and research.

You can complete a PhD on either a full or part-time basis, on campus or by distance depending on the nature of your research. There are various ways of achieving a PhD, depending on your research experience and/or publication history to date.

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Vocational Degrees

Learning

By doing with USW

  • A Higher National Certificate, also known as an HNC, is a Level 4 Qualification which takes one year full-time to complete or two years part-time.

  • A Higher National Diploma, also known as an HND, is a Level 5 qualification which takes two years full-time or four years part-time to complete.

Vocational Degrees

Vocational

or work-related qualifications which provide skills and knowledge for a particular career or profession.

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  • A Higher National Certificate, also known as an HNC, is a Level 4 Qualification which takes one year full-time to complete or two years part-time.

  • A Higher National Diploma, also known as an HND, is a Level 5 qualification which takes two years full-time or four years part-time to complete.

Qualifications for prospective teachers

Qualified Teaching Status, known as a QTS, is a required qualification to work as a teacher in Wales or England in a maintained (state) school. While you do not need a formal degree in teaching to achieve a QTS, you will need bachelor’s degree as well as a minimum of two-years work experience and a grade 4 or equivalent in GCSE English, Maths and Science. 

Providing you meet the teacher’s standards, a QTS can be completed either with a teacher-training programme or on a 12-week assessment-only route. Qualifying with a QTS will enable you to teach in Wales and England, however additional qualifications may be required to teach in other areas of the UK. 

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education, also known as a PGCE, is a postgraduate academic qualification which you get through teaching training. You do not need a PGCE to be a qualified teacher in England or Wales, however it can help develop teaching knowledge and skills. 

Much like with a QTS, students studying a PGCE typically need to hold a bachelor’s degrees and meet other entry requirements.

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