International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate was created as an international qualification for students aged between business 16 and 18 at schools around the world. It is accepted as an entry qualification for higher education by most countries, including the UK. Three subjects must be offered at A-level equivalent standard and three at AS-level equivalent during this two-year course. Students must also complete an extended essay on one subject and take part in a course on the theory of knowledge, as well as extra-curricular activities. Award of the diploma depends on the student gaining at least 24 points from these subjects.
Career-based Courses
These qualifications tend to be more work-related than academic and can put you on a fast-track route within your current career, into a new career or on to a degree course. Career-based courses in the UK often involve strong links between institutions and industry. This ascertains the continuing relevance of these qualifications to the world of work, which, in turn, improves the career prospects of the students who take them.
Courses at this level tend to be particularly flexible. Many do not have specific entry requirements, so, no matter what qualifications you currently have, you can find a course that will let you get a foot on the educational ladder. And, as you will see from the table below, some of these courses meet the entrance requirements for degree courses, allowing you to supplement your newly found practical skills with academic knowledge.
These courses involve classroom instruction, essays, projects and practical work. Class sizes tend to be relatively small, so students benefit from personal contact with tutors. There is continuous assessment of coursework plus examinations. Some career-based/professional programmes are offered only as degree courses – e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, and Law – so it is best to also check the degree section of the chapter as well.
Degrees
The most popular undergraduate qualifications are the Bachelor’s degrees (also called undergraduate or first degrees), which are now required for entry into a wide range of careers in the UK and other countries. British degree programmes incorporate the most up-to-date subject developments, and are underpinned by world-class research and links with business and industry. At Oxford, Cambridge and the ancient Scottish Universities, the first degree in Arts is a Master of Arts (MA).
Many universities and colleges now co-operate to deliver degree courses, and this has further increased the number and variety of courses and study environments. The new two-year foundation degrees, introduced in England in September 2001, will widen the range of options still further, offering an innovative blend of academic and career based study. Many degree courses are now offered via distance learning. This allows you to study from home with course materials provided by the institution. These can be paper-based, on CD-Rom or provided through the Internet. Institutions provide special systems of support to help you through the course.
If you don’t currently meet the standard entrance requirements for a degree programme, you can begin with an access or foundation course instead and then move smoothly on into degree work – studying English language courses alongside it if you need to.
Postgraduate
There are two main types of taught postgraduate course: Master’s programmes, which normally are classes and seminars plus a dissertation; and diploma or certificate courses, which consist of classes and seminars, but with no dissertation. Some diploma courses enable you to transfer to a Master’s when you have successfully completed them.
A research degree is the ultimate opportunity if you want to pursue your own specialist interests. You will be expected to initiate and develop your topic under the supervision of one or possibly two academics. To be successful, you will need to demonstrate intellectual independence
Taught Masters
| Qualifications Offered |
Entrance Requirements |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
Duration |
| MA , MSc , LLM , MEd , Others |
British or recognised overseas undergraduate degree in a relevant subject plus English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band six or above). |
Programmes are intensive and you should be prepared for a heavy workload. Postgraduate students attend classes and lectures, do a great deal of independent reading and/or experimental work between classes, complete regular written assignments, and write a substantial dissertation. |
Taught elements are assessed by continuous assessment and/or final exams. The dissertation forms a major part of the total assessment. |
One Year |
Research Masters
| Qualifications Offered |
Entrance Requirements |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
Duration |
| M.Phil. , MA/M.Sc. by research , M.Res. |
British or recognised overseas undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, at 2.1 Honours or above plus English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band six or above). |
Students are expected to work on their own under the guidance of a supervisor..The first two-thirds of the programme are spent researching the topic and planning the dissertation. The remaining time is spent writing the dissertation, which describes in detail the research. |
Dissertation – typically 30,000 to 40,000 words. |
One to three years |
Research Doctorates
| Qualifications Offered |
Entrance Requirements |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
Duration |
| Ph.D. , D.Phil. |
Taught or research Masters degree in a relevant subject plus English Language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band 6 or above). An outstanding academic record is expected. |
Students will be expected to work on their own to a large extent, under the guidance of a supervisor. The research is usually written during the third year. The first two years are spent researching the topic and planning the dissertation. |
Dissertation – typically of 70,000-100,000 words. |
Three years minimum |
MBA
Business studies are increasingly popular with students from all countries and the MBA (Master of Business Administration) is the most popular business qualification. MBA programmes are designed to develop management skills, knowledge, the ability to analyze complex problems and the ability to make decisions. There are many MBA programmes to choose from in the UK, from those that teach principles of general management to highly specialised programmes tailored to careers like, banking and finance, construction, oil and gas, health care, hospitality, transport, and technology. Many have pipeline to relevant industries to ensure their direct relevance to the working world.
Many postgraduate courses – particularly MBA’s where people tend to need to continue working – are now offered through distance learning. This allows you to study from home with course materials provided by the institution. These can be paper-based, on CD-Rom or accessible on the Internet.
| Qualifications Offered |
Entrance Requirements |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
Duration |
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) Both general and specialised versions are available. |
British or recognised overseas undergraduate degree or a professional qualification plus a good GMAT score plus English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band six or above). |
Projects, practical work and simulations or games are important elements. Lectures (sometimes involving guest speakers from industry) and seminars are also used. |
Continuous assessment plus dissertation and exams. |
About one year. |