Qualifications Explained - Degrees Our Degree-level courses come in all shapes and sizes. Here's our guide to explaining what all these different qualifications mean. Find my course Certificates of Higher Education (Cert HE)Level 4Duration: 1 YearProgression: Foundation Degree (Year 2) / EmploymentThese are one-year Level 4 qualifications which follow the same curriculum as the first year of our Foundation Degrees. On completion you can either opt to into employment or, if you decide to continue your studies, join the second year of the corresponding foundation degree. Higher National Certificates (HNC)Level 4Duration: 1 YearProgression: HND / Hons Degree (Year 2)* / EmploymentThese are one-year Level 4 employer-focused qualifications which can either lead directly to employment or to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or the second year of an honours degree programme depending on the subject studied.*Subject dependent Plan your path through Higher Education Flexible learning built around you. Study for one, two or three years and get a qualification at every stage. More info on HE pathway Higher National Diplomas (HND)Level 5Duration: 1 YearProgression: Hons Topup Degree / EmploymentHNDs are one-year Level 5 qualifications which build on the knowledge and skills acquired in a corresponding HNC. On completion, you can either go into employment or join one of our topup programmes to gain a full honours degree. Foundation Degrees (FdA)Level 4 & 5Duration: 2 YearsProgression: Hons Topup Degree / EmploymentFdAs are studied over two years (Level 4 & 5), integrate academic and work-based learning through close collaboration with employers to provide an industry-relevant qualification. They also provide a route through to top-up degrees. Access to Higher Education If you're keen to study for a degree but you don't have the qualifications or experience, an Access to HE Diploma gets you degree-ready in just one year. Bridge the gap with Access to HE BA / BSc / BEng (Hons) DegreesLevel 4, 5, & 6Duration: 3 YearsProgression: Postgraduate / EmploymentThese are traditional three-year programmes available at B&FC that lead to the award of an Honours degree. BA / BSc / BEng (Hons) Topup DegreesLevel 6Duration: 1 YearsProgression: Postgraduate / EmploymentThese provide successful B&FC Foundation Degree graduates with the option of 'topping up' their degree to an Honours degree in just one year. Topup Degrees are a great option for those unable to commit to three consecutive years of study. Postgraduate programmesLevel 7These are typically studied after an Honours degree, such as our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Higher and Degree ApprenticeshipsThese combine skilled on-the-job training with higher level study to allow those already in employment to move their career forward.Check out our Higher and Degree Apprenticeships page for more information. Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ) HTQs are a great way to get the skills employers want - a route to well-paid, secure and sustainable jobs. HTQs Explained Admissions - Higher Education Everything you need to know about our admission procedure, application process, entry requirements and more. Explore HE Admissions Subject to Validation & RevalidationAll our Honours degrees and Topup programmes are validated by our awarding body, Lancaster University, and subject to periodic revalidation to ensure that the courses we deliver are of the highest quality, incorporate new academic research and, where appropriate, reflect current industry best practice.We always indicate if a course is subject to revalidation but this does not mean that the course is likely to be withdrawn.Please visit our Subject to Validation, Revalidation & Approval page for more information. Contact UsDon't hesitate to contact our Course Enquiries Team if you have any questions or concerns about Degree-level qualifications.Call: 01253 504343Email: info@blackpool.ac.uk Scroll to TopGo to Degrees