How does a top-up differ from a standard degree?

A top-up degree gives you the chance to combine all of your previous certificates in further education, wherever you’ve studied, with one year of full-time study.

Generally, you would complete this course after a Level 5 qualification such as a two-year foundation degree, HND, BTEC or NVQ.

This one-year course is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree, and converts your achievements into a full Level 6 qualification.

What does a top-up involve?

You'll take academic refresher modules covering writing and referencing skills, alongside modules covering the central topics and themes. These will be delivered through large teaching groups, tutorials, and online resources. As with the third year of a standard BSc (Hons) or BA (Hons) degree course, there will be a final research project and, in many cases, practical elements to your study, depending on your chosen subject.

Why study a top-up degree at University College Birmingham?

We offer a wide range of degrees to suit a host of career or academic ambitions, with more than 20 top-up courses available.

Studying at University College Birmingham means being able to take advantage of our bustling city centre location, with plenty to occupy all tastes nearby. We also have excellent transport links and industry connections. All this combines to allow our students unrivalled opportunities for placements, employment and ways to spend your free time.

On top of this, our state-of-the-art campus and facilities have just received over £200 million of investment, and our teaching staff and support services are both award-winning.

What top-up courses do we offer?

An extensive range of top-up courses is available at University College Birmingham, with curriculums developed to provide the academic and practical skills needed to advance your career or learning journey. You can choose from: