Bachelor

Bachelor's degree courses last usually for three, sometimes four years, especially when a year is spent abroad. Most Scottish universities offer only four-year degree programs.

Unlike the rest of Europe, where the so-called "Credit Points " are calculated according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), in Britain they are reckoned according to the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). For the bachelor courses of study, you have to acquire 120 credit points per year.

The UK has among other things:

•  Bachelor of Arts (BA)
•  Bachelor of Science (BSc)
•  Bachelor of Medicine (MB)
•  Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
•  Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
•  Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  

Master

Master programs are further graduate programs that have period of duration up to two years and require the acquisition of 120 credit points. The requirement for a Master Degree is a Bachelor's Degree.

The most common types are:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND)

One-or two-year professional degree courses are offered in many disciplines such as Engineering, Sports Science, Art and Design and Media and Communication Sciences. After graduating, you can either directly start working or make the second or third year of a regular degree program.

Foundation Degrees (FdA, FdSc etc)

The two-year professional-oriented degrees, like for example the HNCs and HNDs as a basis for your career or for further studies.

Diplomas of Higher Education

Two-year courses are mainly offered when studying Social Sciences. Graduates can either enter directly into this profession or to obtain a further degree.

Degrees

Higher education courses are the most common. They normally last for three years, but four years in Scotland. Some degrees may be extended by one year to offer students the opportunity to spend a year abroad, or to gain practical work experiences.

University International Foundation Year

These courses are offered to international students who want to study in Britain. They allow you to gain missing skills.

Double Degree

In Britain, there are some courses that are offered in cooperation with foreign universities. The students sit a part of their studies abroad and then receive a bi-degree (double degree / joint degree).

On the pages of the universities you can find out more about the offers of integrated international studies.