Diploma of Higher Education

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A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom [1] and Sweden. [2]

Contents

Overview

United Kingdom

The Diploma is awarded after two years of full-time study (or equivalent) at a university or other higher education institution, or four years of part-time study. [3] [1] A DipHE is an independent tertiary award, an award in its own right, and students can study for a DipHE in various academic disciplines.

At Level 5 on both the national qualifications framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the European Qualifications Framework, the DipHE was once seen as the more academic equivalent of the Higher National Diploma, which was perceived as vocational. However, universities have since integrated both qualifications into the first and second years of an undergraduate honours degree, and they can now be considered equivalent.

The Diploma certifies that a student has achieved the minimum standard after conclusion of a second year course of tertiary education in science or the liberal arts. If a student is undertaking a full Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Higher Education marks two-thirds of their undergraduate degree. This suggests that the British Diploma ranks ahead of an American Associate of Arts (which in American parlance is a two-year undergraduate, or half of a BA/BS). That being stated, American universities generally consider UK Diplomas equivalent to a college-level Associate of Arts even though a British student typically holds more credit hours (and therefore more study time) in the arts, humanities and/or sciences.

In Scotland, a DipHE is worth 240 credit points (at least 120 at Level 7 and at least 80 at Level 8) on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. (As a guide, an ordinary degree is worth 360 credit points and an honours degree is worth 480 credit points.)

They are accredited by the universities, except in the case of nurse, community and youth work education where the curriculum is prescribed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Holders are permitted to use the postnominals DipHE, sometimes followed by the course name in brackets and the university from which they earned their qualification.

Sometimes, having a DipHE can exempt the holder from some of the requirements of a bachelor's degree; for example, it might reduce the length of study or number of courses necessary to complete the qualification. This typically allows a Diploma holder to obtain a BA/BSc in one-third of the time.

Diplomas are generally awarded on a pass/fail basis, and occasionally are awarded with honours when a student has distinguished themself. The two highest honours are Merit and Distinction.

Sweden

A Swedish Högskoleexamen (Higher Education Diploma) requires 120 ECTS credits including an independent project (degree project). Additional requirements can be decided by each University or University College, but usually at least 60 ECTS credits are required within the same field of study.

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master's degree</span> Postgraduate academic degree

A master's degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. A master's degree normally requires previous study at the bachelor's level, either as a separate degree or as part of an integrated course. Within the area studied, master's graduates are expected to possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied topics; high order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application; and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

A bachelor's degree or baccalaureate is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years. The two most common bachelor's degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science. In some institutions and educational systems, certain bachelor's degrees can only be taken as graduate or postgraduate educations after a first degree has been completed, although more commonly the successful completion of a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for further courses such as a master's or a doctorate.

An associate degree or associate's degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of academic qualification above a high school diploma and below a bachelor's degree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diploma</span> Educational document

A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or official document of diplomacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bologna Process</span> System for compatibility of higher education qualifications in the European region

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A higher diploma is an academic award in Iraq, Libya, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and Oman. In Iraq, it's one year after bachelor's degree. In Ireland it is a postgraduate qualification at the same level as the honours bachelor's degree. In the United Kingdom, the diploma is equivalent to higher tier (A*-C) GCSE.

A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma. Countries that award postgraduate diplomas include but are not limited to Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Spain, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, India, Israel, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Panama the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe. Level of education and recognition differ per issuing country.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Qualifications Framework</span> Educational standards organization

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A Certificate of Higher Education (Cert.H.E./CertHE) is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom.

A postgraduate certificate (abbreviated as PGCert, PG Cert or PGC is a postgraduate qualification at the level of a master's degree.

Master's degrees in Europe are the second cycle of the Bologna process, following on from undergraduate bachelor's degrees and preceding third cycle doctorates. Master's degrees typically take two years to complete, although the number of years varies between countries, and correspond to 60 – 120 ECTS credits. Within the European Higher Education Area, representing almost all countries in Europe, master's degrees are referenced to the Framework of Qualifications for the European Higher Education Area and national qualifications frameworks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Academic certificate</span> Document that certifies having received specific education

An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.

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A graduate certificate is an educational credential representing completion of specialized training at the college or university level. A graduate certificate can be awarded by universities upon completion of certain coursework indicating mastering of a specific subject area. Graduate certificates represent training at different levels in different countries, for example a graduate certificate is at master's degree level in Ireland, but is at a bachelor's degree level in the United Kingdom. In both cases, the graduate certificate represents less work than a degree at the same level.

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland. Awards are classified under the framework at levels, and study undertaken at that level is valued in credit points. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership promotes lifelong learning in the country. Through the SCQF, learners can gain a better understanding of qualifications and plan their future learning.

References

  1. 1 2 "Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas". DirectGov. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  2. "The Swedish higher education system". Swedish Council for Higher Education. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  3. "Choose your future".