Full Degree
A Full Degree is a course of academic study leading to a qualification such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Medicine (MB).
It usually takes three or four years to complete full-time (normally four years if you’re doing a sandwich course as this includes a year in industry or abroad). Some full degrees, like medical courses can take longer. You can also study for a degree part-time, or through flexible learning (for example Open University).
The qualification is designed to give you a thorough understanding of a subject. It helps you develop your analytical, intellectual and essay/dissertation writing skills.
There are a vast number of full degree courses to choose from. Some subjects like medicine, law and architecture prepare you for a particular career. Others, like English or history can equip you with skills for a wide range of jobs.
To study for a full degree, you will need to have the qualifications which meet the entrance requirements for the course you wish to study. Most full degrees ask for at least two A levels at grade E or above (or equal grades in other qualifications).
The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) operates a system called the ‘UCAS Tariff’. Your previous qualifications can earn points on the tariff to help get you a place on a particular higher education course. Different courses will ask for a different number of points.
To find out entrance requirements for a particular course, you can do a search on the UCAS website (link below), or read the course prospectus – most are available from the universities’ websites.
You can study for full degrees at universities, higher education colleges and via distance learning. Degree courses start throughout the year, although most begin in September or October. Check with individual universities/colleges to find out about starting dates for particular courses.