University Pathway

How top-up degrees work

All our academic courses carry national recognition of OFQUAL, the UK regulatory body for Higher Education.

Graduating students can progress to a University programme, either to join at Undergraduate entry level, usually on completion of Level 3, or onto a “top-up” Degree, depending on the level of their OFQUAL programme. For an official breakdown of what each level means, please visit https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/compare-different-qualification-levels

Top-up degrees are for those who already hold a nationally recognised Certificate or Diploma of an appropriate level and are looking to complete their qualification to a full Degree. For Level 3 programmes students can apply for Undergraduate entry for a full three-year programme. Level 4 requires final 2 years completion. At Level 5 it is the final year, Level 6 will give entry to post graduate programmes and Level 7 gives exemptions from certain Masters programmes including MBA.

Top-up courses require you to have a diploma qualification in a relevant subject; this means that the course of study should be closely tied to your previous qualification. However, it does not have to be the same subject. This flexibility allows our students to have a wide range of career or completion prospects upon graduation.

All of the academic courses offered by us are Ofqual approved and universities will generally accept the credits awarded to students. Students should make it clear to the University that the qualification is Ofqual RQF validated at the stated level/credit value. We can provide students with the requisite Ofqual documentation and transcript if required. Alternatively, students can visit the OFQUAL website to confirm the qualification. Each University will consider an application on its merits subject to their own specific entry requirements.

Progression options

On completion of an course from our academy, students have the following options available to them.

  1. Top up with our pre-agreement university. We work closely with a range of top UK/EU/Australia/US universities, offering multiple progression routes to students. We are able to provide application assistance for entry to a number of UK and international universities. ATHE, our OFQUAL partners, have direct articulation arrangements with several Universities which give full recognition for entry To view specific University Top up options via ATHE, please visit https://athe.co.uk/progression-routes/

However, students have a range of options in addition to ATHE agreements

  1. Study FULL TIME on campus in the UK/US/Australia for top-up courses or direct entry to university. Most Universities will accept OFQUAL credits for advanced entry and therefore students can choose their own University to study full time for a shorter period. It should be understood by students that these are general guidelines and students should always check the requirements with their preferred University or their local University Agent if they intend to make an application.
  2. Study PART TIME on Campus. Many Universities operate part time/evening provision and students should check possibilities with their preferred Universities first.
  3. Study by DISTANCE LEARNING for top up programmes. Many UK Universities run off campus distance learning programmes and we will always seek direct arrangements with these universities to accept our students. Students may choose to apply directly to a UK University not linked to ATHE or us. Several Universities operate distance learning Business programmes and students can apply directly for credits or other forms of advanced entry.
  4. Study with UK/Australia Universities BASED OVERSEAS. Some UK Universities operate overseas Campuses and may accept local students on their programmes with advanced entry. For example, UK Universities have campuses in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong. Students should check locally for these arrangements.

If you require more information regarding specific progression routes, you can contact the Our Support team on [email protected]