Higher Education Qualification Guide
What will I study?
Diplomas
Diplomas are work-related, competence based qualifications which reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job. At level 4 plus, learners will acquire skills at technical, management and professional levels in their field. Learners will need to be working in a relevant job role to undertake these programmes.
University Certificates
University Certificates consist of part-time modules that can be used towards higher awards. We have a variety of these certificates on offer at the college ranging from 10 credit modules to 60 credits.
The following certificates are on offer at the college:
- University Certificate of Credit
- University Certificate in Continuing Education (UCCE)
- University Certificates in Professional Development (UCPD)
- University Certificates in Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD)
UCCEs are diverse programmes of academic study. UCPDs and UCAPDs focus on personal professional development in one particular field of academic study.
Higher National Certificates (HNCs)
These programmes are vocationally orientated qualifications – highly valued by employers. Validated by Edexcel, HNCs are studied over 2 years part-time. Many HNC programmes provide progression routes towards Foundation Degrees or Honours Degrees.
Foundation Degrees
Foundation Degrees are one of the most flexible professional qualifications on offer today. They allow you to develop specialist skills and knowledge in real workplace settings and provide a way of improving qualifications and career prospects while you work.
The benefits of studying on one of our Foundation Degree programmes include:
- Strong employer involvement
- Development of transferable skills and knowledge in real workplace settings, required for effective management roles
- Clear and agreed progression routes – chance to topup to a full honours degree, enter into employment or progress within your current field of work
- The flexibility of studying locally – minimising time away from home and work whilst gaining a recognised qualification awarded by one of our partner universities
- The chance to earn while you learn
At Stockton Riverside College we offer two types of Foundation Degree:
- Foundation degree in Arts (FdA)
- Foundation degree in Science (FdSc)
Foundation Degrees are designed for learners from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with previous experience rather than conventional entry requirements. The programmes on offer at Stockton Riverside College include:
- FdSc Complementary Therapies (Bodywork)
- FdSc Computing (Networking)
- FdSc Web Design
- FdA Early Years (Sector Endorsed)
- FdA Performance and Events Production
- FdA Performing Arts
- FdA Tourism and Aviation
Degree and Degree top-up programmes
Here at Stockton Riverside College, we offer degree programmes too. On completion of many of our Foundation Degrees, learners can progress on to the final year or ‘top up’ the equivalent degree programme through the university.
HE courses through professional bodies
At SRC, you can study HE courses through the related professional bodies. As well as being taught by our experienced and knowledgeable tutors, students can maximise their potential on such courses through becoming a member of the relevant body.
Courses are available through the following professional institutes:
- Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Higher Education Qualification Levels
| Typical Higher Education Qualifications Within Each Level | FHEQ Level |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degrees (e.g. PhD/DPhil, EdD, BA, DClinPsy) | 8 |
| Master's degrees (e.g. MPhil, MLitt, MRes, MA, MSc) | 7 |
| Integrated master's degrees (e.g. MEng, MChem, MPhys, MPharm) | |
| Postgraduate diplomas | |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) | |
| Postgraduate certificates | |
| Bachelor's degrees with honours (e.g. BA/BSc Hons) | 6 |
| Bachelor's degrees | |
| Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) | |
| Graduate diplomas | |
| Graduate certificates | |
| Foundation Degrees (e.g. FdA, FdSc) | 5 |
| Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) | |
| Higher National Diplomas (HND) | |
| Higher National Certificates (HNC) | 4 |
| Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) |