Undergraduate Courses

How can I take an undergraduate degree?

The entry requirements for the majority of degree programs will vary depending on the subject and the university. Undergraduate admissions can vary from anything between AAA – CCC (A-Levels) and CCCC-AAAA (Scottish Highers.) The higher the university is in the league tables, the more demanding the entry requirements will be, as well as whether the subject is in the liberal arts, school of business or something more academic.

Some courses are more specific; for pursuing a degree in a subject related to medicine or health sciences, the entry requirements will be incredibly high for most universities. For more vocational subjects, there are also routes to university through HNC/HND college courses.

Most undergraduate students will be eligible for financial aid in the form of tuition and maintenance loans and, in some cases, grants.

What can I study?

Universities vary in the subjects they offer in undergraduate courses; some are traditional, offering only academic programs. Others are more vocational and modern, offering new subjects such as American studies, gender studies, communication studies, environmental studies and graphic design. If you dislike your degree, it is usually possible to change your subject in your first year.

Subject offered at undergraduate level:

• Accounting
• Biology and Natural Sciences
• Business
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Creative Writing
• Engineering and Civil Engineering
• English
• International Relations and International Studies
• Law
• Medicine
• Social Sciences and Social Work
• Political Science
• ​Religious Studies

How long does an undergraduate programme take to complete?

In England and Wales, the average undergraduate degree takes three years, finishing with a bachelor’s qualification, which falls under the category of a Level 6 qualification in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). In Scotland, the average undergraduate degree is four years long, with the option of graduating early after three years.

What can I do after an undergraduate programme?

Most students after an undergraduate program can go straight into employment: many employers look to employ and train graduates right away. Depending on the undergraduate subject, certain schemes and programmes exist to advance undergraduates into certain professions such as law and business.

Those who don’t go straight into employment after undergraduate programs can proceed with further education in graduate study, for example taking a postgraduate course, often referred to as a master’s.