Level 8 qualifications are the highest formal qualifications you can gain in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Keep reading as we take a look at the kind of courses on offer and the challenges of studying at this level. Be sure to also browse our list of level 8 courses below!
In 2015, the Regulated Qualifications Framework (the RQF) set out eight formal levels of education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each level of the RQF links to a number of different qualifications that are considered to be equivalent in terms of academic difficulty. So for example:
Level 8 on the RQF is the most academically challenging qualification level and it includes doctoral degrees, as well as level 8 Awards/Diplomas/Certificates.
A doctoral degree is a prestigious level 8 qualification that you can study full time at university or part-time alongside your day job. There are several main types of a doctorate to choose from.
If you choose this option you’ll be carrying out original and significant research under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Your work will then be assessed via a publication-worthy 60,000-90,000 word thesis, based on your original research.
Most learning institutions require their PhD students to hold a 2:1 bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree. However, if you have plenty of relevant professional experience, you may find that entry requirements become more flexible. A PhD or DPhil normally takes 3-4 years to complete if you study full time, or 6-8 years if you opt for part-time study.
Offered by a limited number of universities, this four-year course involves taking a one year MRes, followed by a 3 year PhD. New Route PhDs combine independent research, practical experience and a number of taught elements. These generally focus on essential skills and professional methodologies.
Professional Doctorate courses include a large taught element, so they require less research than standard PhD courses. You’ll still have to produce a thesis, but it will be smaller. Often supported by employers, these courses tend to be taken by students studying vocational qualifications like engineering, education and medicine. They’re also popular with graduates who are keen to teach their subject.
Already a published academic? If your articles or books make an original contribution to a specialist field, you might be interested in this route. It involves creating a portfolio of your published research, writing a supporting statement and presenting your work to an academic committee.
There are two main ways to find opportunities.
According to The Higher Education Statistics Agency’s latest statistics, 74% of doctoral graduates move on to employment, although they don’t all work in academia. If you do want to secure an academic role, there are a few options you could try.
There are also plenty of opportunities if you don’t want to pursue a career in academia. Many doctoral graduates work in science, the pharmaceutical industry or education, while others pursue legal or welfare-related roles.
Although all of these qualifications are equal to a doctorate in terms of academic difficulty, their length and content vary. Awards are worth 1-12 credits (10-120 study hours), certificates are worth 13-36 credits (130-360 hours) and diplomas require over 37 credits (370 hours.)
Here’s a brief example of how this relates to a specific provider. Aimed at directors and senior managers, the CMI Level 8 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Strategic Direction and Leadership covers the advanced skills and knowledge you’ll need to lead strategic change. However, the scope of each qualification differs.
While the Level 8 Award provides a concise introduction to the role of a strategic manager, the Certificate connects these more closely to your job role. At Diploma level the course goes even further, enabling you to develop all of the key skills you’ll need to implement strategies.
To gain a place on a level 8 course you’ll generally need to hold a relevant level 7 qualification and be working in a senior role. For example, if you want to take any of the CMI’s level 8 qualifications in strategic direction, you’ll need to have three years experience as a senior executive or director.
