Most undergraduate degrees in the UK last three years and lead to an honours degree in the subject. However, some undergraduate qualifications may last longer or lead onto postgraduate qualifications. You can study an undergraduate degree in almost any subject, from architecture to zoology.
What undergraduate qualification can I do?
The majority of undergraduate qualifications in the UK lead to one of two qualifications, depending on which area you choose to study in. These are sometimes known as first degrees.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
However, specialist subjects are normally awarded their own degree classifications. For example, engineering students will be awarded a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) and teaching students will get a Bachelor of Education (BEd).
If you fail to complete your three year studies, you can still get a qualification based on how much of your course you have finished.
A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will be awarded if you successfully complete one year of study and a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) may be awarded if you complete two years of study.
What will I study on an undergraduate course?
Undergraduate degrees in the UK are taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. You will be assessed through written assignments and exams, with extended essays, experiments, design work and hands on work experience also used in some subjects.
Contact hours with tutors and professors varies from subject to subject, but you will be expected to spend a large amount of time studying on your own from reading lists and texts.
How do I apply for an undergraduate course?
Almost all undergraduate degree courses in the UK can be applied to through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which centralises undergraduate applications. You can register through the UCAS site, but will have to pay an application fee of £12 if you are only applying to one university, or £23 if you are applying to more than one.
Make sure you research your options and speak to different universities before applying for a particular course.
How much are undergraduate tuition fees?
Undergraduate tuition fees in the UK are capped at £9,000 a year for home students. International student tuition fees range from £5,000 per year to £25,000 per year depending on the subject and university you wish to study at. Find out more about funding UK study with grants, scholarships and loans.