Types of degrees in the UK

A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of higher education, such as universities, normally as the result of successfully completing a program of study.

Degrees are divided into “first degrees” (undergraduate degrees) and “second degrees” (postgraduate degrees).

4.3.1. “First degrees”

The standard first degree is the Bachelor’s degreewith honours (e.g. BA (hons) for arts subjects*, BEng (hons) for Engineering and BSc (hons) for science). This usually takes three years’ full-time study.

Honours degrees are usually categorised by one of four grades:

· First class honours (1^st)

· Second class honours, divided into:

1. Upper division, or upper second (2:1)
2. Lower division, or lower second (2:2)

· Third class honours (3^rd)

Students who do not achieve the standard for the award of honours may be given an ordinary or pass degree which is without honours.

Some students study an integrated Master’s, which is still a first degree. This takes four years of study and is usually designated by the subject, such as MEng for engineering, MPhys for physics, MMath for mathematics, and so on. The 4-year MEng degree in particular has now become the standard first degree in engineering in the top UK universities, replacing the older 3-year BEng.

4.3.2. “Higher degrees”:

4.3.2.1. Master’s degree

In order to study a course at Master’s level, one typically needs to have a Bachelor’s degree. Broadly speaking, Master’s degrees can be classified as either Taught Master’s CoursesorResearch-based Master’s Courses.

Taught Master’s Courses

Teaching and learning on taught Master’s courses may be in the form of essays, project work, industrial or business placements, lectures, tutorials or discussion groups. Taught Master’s courses usually include a project or short research dissertation, which one works on individually or as part of a group. Taught Master’s programs are typically one to two years in duration and are very specialised. The Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Science (MSc or MS) degrees are the basic degree types that cover most subjects.

· Master of Arts (MA)

The MA is typically studied in the Arts, Humanities, Theology and the Social Sciences (although some universities will award a Master of Science for some Social Sciences Masters degrees). MA degrees typically take one-two years to complete.

· Master of Science (MSc or MS)

This is a graduate academic Master’s degree awarded in the pure and applied sciences and takes one to two years to complete. The Master of Science is usually studied to obtain a higher qualification for employment prospects or in preparation for doctoral studies.

Research Master’s Courses are usually in the form of a thesis in any subject and are mostly self-directed work with few taught elements. A Master’s degree by research is typically offered as a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and a Master of Research (MRes).

· Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil is often taken as a provisional enrolment for the PhD. Students sometimes make the decision to continue to a PhD during their MPhil course.

· Master of Research (MRes)

In the UK, the MRes is a graduate degree available in a range of academic disciplines. The MRes is designed to prepare students for a career in research. The MRes is more structured and organised than the MPhil but it differs from a taught Masters by placing particular emphasis on a large dissertation (usually between 35,000-40,000 words) in addition to a few taught modules.

4.3.2.2. Doctorate’s degree

A doctorate is an academic degree of the highest level. There are three types:

· Research Doctorate

· Practitioner’s Doctorate

· Honorary Doctorate

Research doctorates are awarded in recognition of original academic research that is of publishable standard. The most common type of research doctorate is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).