Module credits and levels of study
Understanding academic credits and levels of study.
You may not be familiar with university accreditation systems. Our course teams are available to offer guidance when you need it. The key points are
Undergraduate modules are offered at levels 4, 5 or 6
- Level 4 credits are awarded in the first year of an undergraduate degree
- Level 5 credits are accumulated in the second year
- Level 6 credits are final year undergraduate level
Individual undergraduate CPD will usually be worth 10, 20 or 30 credits. A total of 360 credits are required for a full Honours Degree, 120 at each of levels 4, 5 and 6. A Diploma in Higher Education or a Foundation Degree is achieved with 240 credits.
You will therefore need 120 level 6 credits for a 'top-up' award, for example, to convert a Nursing Diploma or a Diploma in Social Work into an Honours Degree.
Postgraduate modules are all at level 7
This single academic level covers the postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and final year of a masters award. Individual level 7 modules are usually worth either 15 or 30 credits. Dissertations will normally be 45 or 60 credits.
- a postgraduate certificate is 60 credits at level 7
- a postgraduate diploma requires 120 credits at level 7
- the final masters award is achieved by gaining 180 credits at level 7
Many programmes allow you to 'step on and off' at each award level within a masters route. The programme leader will advise you on this.
Professional Doctorate
Doctorate study is at level 8. We offer a Doctorate in Professional Studies. You can study it in health and social care, biomedical science, or sports and active lifestyles.
Other research opportunities are available in the Biomedical Research Centre, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Centre for Sport and Exercise Science and Sport Industry Research Centre.
Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL)
Through APCL you may be awarded for previous formal study that you have completed, which has similar or overlapping content to modules in your programme.
Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL)
If you think some of the modules in your programme would mean repeating some learning you have already achieved, which is not formally recognised, you may be able to claim APEL credit. This recognises the learning gained from your various professional experiences, provided it is related and is at an appropriate level.
