How do top up degrees work?
Academic courses offered by Online Business School are approved by OFQUAL awarding bodies, and universities will generally accept the credits awarded to students. Students should make it clear to the university that the qualification is OFQUAL RQF validated at the stated level/credit value.
Our degree pathways act as a direct equivalent to Year 1 and Year 2 of a bachelor’s degree, recognised by an OFQUAL awarding organisation, the pathway courses are accepted by many universities worldwide.
Once you complete your pathway, you’ll go to one of our nominated universities to finish Year 3 and obtain your full bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of our level 7 pathway courses, students progress onto the final module of an MBA programme.
Our pathways are the most flexible way to graduate! Being online with little restrictions, it’s possible to complete Year 1 and Year 2 while you work!
On completion of an OFQUAL regulated programme via Online Business School, students can progress onto a range of Universities, these include:
Online Business School can provide students with the requisite OFQUAL documentation and transcript. Alternatively, students can visit the OFQUAL website https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/ to confirm the qualification. Each university will consider an application on its merits subject to their own specific entry requirements.
Graduating Online Business School students can progress onto a university programme either to join at undergraduate entry level, usually on completion of a level 3 programmed, or onto a “top-up” degree, depending on the level of their completed OFQUAL programme. These level equivalencies can be viewed on our ‘Study Levels Explained‘ page. Generally, level 3 is undergraduate entry, level 4 first year degree, level 5 second year degree, level 6 graduate level and level 7 postgraduate level.
University top-up courses require you to have a qualification in a relevant subject. Your chosen course should be closely tied to your previous qualification. However, it does not have to be the same subject. In many cases, if you have studied your level 3/4/5/6 or 7 qualifications in English, an IELTS may not be required. There is a wide range of flexibility, allowing our students to have a plethora of career or completion prospects upon graduation from Online Business School courses. Universities will generally look at your broader experiences and motivations as well as formal qualifications.
Most universities will accept Ofqual credits for advanced entry. Therefore students can choose their own university to study full time for a shorter period. Many universities will also offer part time study programmes either as day release or evening study or by distance learning. Some may also offer weekend workshops. Please check this with your preferred university. (Click here to Find a University). Students should understand that these are general guidelines. Students should always check the requirements with their preferred university or local university Agent if they intend to apply. Many universities operate part time/evening provision, and students should check possibilities with their preferred universities first.
Some UK universities operate overseas campuses and may accept local students on their programmes with advanced entry. For example, UK universities have campuses in Dubai, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, amongst many others. Students should check locally for these arrangements. There are several UK campuses in UAE https://www.guide2dubai.com/living/education/british-universities-dubai Other examples are Hong Kong, Cyprus, Mauritius and several parts of South Asia. International students looking to complete in the UK may also visit the NARIC website to view equivalencies https://www.naric.org.uk/naric/
Students may want to study at institutions nearer their home country or qualifications outside of UK. For example many Australian, Indian and Canadian universities offer distance learning and will recognise equivalent UK qualifications on a case by case basis.
USA universities will generally accept UK advanced entry students and equivalence but there is a huge difference between regions and universities with general policy.
The Association of MBAs is a membership organisation that provides accreditation and upholds the highest international standards of MBA programmes. Many UK universities are members and offer distance learning study. Although credits cannot be given, admission can be gained via the Online Business School level 6 or 7 plus the requisite additional entry requirements of your chosen university. Students should check the regulations of their chosen university first.
Our awarding bodies work in close partnership with various universities to facilitate progression opportunities. Top up on campus or online with one of our awarding bodies:
ATHE: https://www.athe.co.uk/progression-routes/
OTHM: https://www.othm.org.uk/university-progression.html
Qualifi: https://qualifi.net/university-progression/
If you require more information regarding specific progression routes, these are available on each course page under ‘university progression’, alternatively you can contact the Online Business School Support team on [email protected] for further advice and guidance.