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/ About Moulton College / Higher Education Qualifications

Undergraduate Qualifications

There are different types of undergraduate qualification. These include:

Higher National Certificate (HNC) – a two year, part time course with a professional development or technical focus. Often linked to a specific industry or workplace environment.

Higher National Diploma (HND) – a two year full time course usually in a specific vocational area, for example Sports Management or Interior Design. HNDs can also be studied on a part time basis and would normally take three years to complete this way.

Foundation Degree (FdSc or FdA) – a two year full time course linked to specific employment sectors. Generally contains a significant emphasis on work experience and work placement activity. Foundation degrees can also be studied part time and normally take three years to complete in this way. For people working in relevant industries there may be opportunities for the Accreditation of Prior Learning within the Foundation Degree qualification.

Honours Degree (Bachelor of Arts, BA or Bachelor of Science, BSc) – This is the traditional University qualification normally studied full-time over three years. BA degrees are usually Arts or Management based qualifications whereas BSc degrees are awarded in scientific and technical subjects.

For students who already hold a Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree, it is often possible to follow a twelve month ‘top-up’ programme to convert these qualifications into an honours degree.

Post Graduate Qualifications

To qualify for entry to post graduate courses students will normally have completed an undergraduate honours degree.

Masters Degree – This is usually a one year, full time course which develops critical evaluation and knowledge synthesis skills in a particular area. Masters degrees are offered in science subjects (MSc) or Arts subjects (MA). Masters degree courses can also be studied part time.

Doctorate programmes – These are programmes based on designing and carrying out a piece of new research. Successful graduates are awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and are able to use the title, Doctor.

Entry Requirements

HND and Foundation Degree programmes

Entry requirements for HND and Foundation Degree courses are those specified by the Validating University.

They include:-

• Either: One Pass at GCE A2 level (with an additional subject studied to AS level)
  Overseas qualifications where these are deemed to be the equivalent of the UK qualifications listed above
• Or: An Advanced GNVQ or AVCE in an appropriate subject
• Or: A BTEC National Diploma or Certificate in an appropriate subject
• Or: An NVQ level 3 in an appropriate subject plus some Key Skills accreditation
• Or: An Access certificate
• Or: Exceptional entry for mature students.

Please telephone Student Services at Moulton College if you wish to seek clarification on your eligibility.

BSc and BA Honours Degree programmes

Those students who wish to study for an Honours degree will normally have achieved at least two passes at A2 level GCE, or alternatively may enrol initially on the HND/ Foundation Degree route. Provided that they achieve a satisfactory grade profile during the first two years, they may continue for a further one year of study to complete their Honours degree.

Students who have achieved their HND or Foundation Degree at another institution may enrol on the Top-up degree final year, subject to there being an acceptable match with their modules and grades. Staff in the Subject Area will be happy to advise on the acceptability of individual combinations.

Accreditation Of Prior Learning

Mature entrants to higher education courses or those with substantial relevant industrial experience may be able to claim academic credit towards their course where their experience or previous qualifications match the content of modules within the course. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) or more usually Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your eligibility.

Students requiring residential accommodation are advised to apply to Moulton College at the earliest opportunity, as demand usually exceeds supply.