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Everything You Need to Know About Top up Degree
- September 5, 2018
- Posted by: administrator
- Category: Study in UK
What is a top up degree? This is very much a question in the minds of all the students wanting to pursue overseas education ; more so, because many students are under the impression that the degree would be a gateway to earning a higher educational degree in a lesser time period. So we are trying to put aside all the confusion with regard to the top up degree.
What is a Top-up degree ?
A Top-up degree has the same significance as the final year of an undergraduate degree. The sole purpose of this degree is to cater the students who have previously completed a related foundation level degree (or equivalent, e.g. an HND). Therefore this degree is like a mediated route for students who wish to earn a Bachelors degree. Additionally, the top up degree enable students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of a particular topic while also receiving an internationally-recognized qualification. But one must not jump into the conclusion that a top up degree is like a long rope that gives you the leeway to top up a Bachelors degree to a Bachelors degree with Honours [a ‘BA (Hons) degree’].
What is the time it takes to complete?
It must be taken into account that the duration of a top up degree takes 16 months of part-time study in University of Essex Online. If we look at the University of Essex alone, this part-time course has a recommended 10-15 hours of study per week, per module. This result in the faster completion of their studies than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
How much does it cost?
Universities of high repute such as the University of Essex have an annual course fee for online courses are £4,500. The full course fee is £6,000. It is only the UK or EU However, many UK or EU undergraduate students living in England that are eligible for a government-backed student loan. For the non-resident and foreign students, it is better to seek the advice of the foreign education consultants who have all the latest reports with regard to the change of fee structure and the tweaks in the courses each year.
What are the entry requirements?
The following are the requirements for top up course in a majority of universities in UK, you must have completed any one of the following:
- A relevant Foundation degree or an HND from University of Essex Online or another recognized institution ; or
- Two years of a relevant BA (Hons) degree from a recognized institution; or
- A relevant Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognized institution.
- For students who do not have English as their first language, their English ability should be equivalent to IELTS (Academic) 6.0.
One of the major points to be noted is that the previous qualification that you are using to gain to entry into a top course must be relevant to the subject you are applying the top up course for. For instance if it is fine arts or business studies, you must have prior qualification in the same subject area.