A degree is an academic qualification given by a college or university upon the completion of a course of study. The most common types of degrees are Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees. However, there are other types of degrees in modern higher education, such as associate degree, foundation degree, and top-up degree. A top-up degree is similar to the final year of an honors Bachelor’s degree. The key difference between a top-up degree and a degree is the time taken to complete the degree; a top-up degree can be completed in a year, whereas a degree generally takes more time to complete.
Key Takeaways
- A top-up degree is equivalent to the final year of an honors Bachelor’s degree and can be completed in one year.
- A degree is an academic title given by a college or university to a student who has completed a course of study, such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degrees.
- To enroll for a top-up degree, a student must have completed a Higher National Diploma or a foundation degree.
What is a Degree?
A degree is an academic title given by an institute of higher education, such as a college or university, to a student who has completed a course of study. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees are the most common types of degrees. There are now lower-level higher educational qualifications, which are titled as degrees, such as associate degrees and foundation degrees.
What is a Top Up Degree?
A top-up degree is equivalent to the final year of an honors Bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed a two-year HND (Higher National Diploma) course or a foundation degree can study for a top-up degree. Students who complete a top-up degree will be awarded either a BA or BSc, giving them a Bachelor’s level qualification. Completing a top-up degree typically takes only one year.
What is the difference between Top Up Degree and Degree?
Top-up degrees are qualifications equivalent to the final year of an honors Bachelor’s degree, while a degree is an academic title given by a college or university to a student who has completed a course of study. A top-up degree can be completed in a year, while a Bachelor’s degree takes a minimum of three years. To enroll for a top-up degree, a student must have completed an HND or foundation degree. Students with a top-up degree will have technical and professional experience since they complete HND or foundation degrees, while degrees mostly give academic qualifications.
Summary – Top Up Degree vs Degree
The main difference between a top-up degree and a degree is that a top-up degree can be completed in one year, unlike an undergraduate degree, which takes a minimum of three years. However, a student must have completed a Higher National Diploma or a foundation degree to enroll for a top-up degree. Thus, the completion of a top-up degree is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree level.
