What is Top-up Degree
A Top-up degree is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree (Essex, 2017). It originated from UK higher education system, where university degree(undergraduate or master’s) can be segmented into various qualifications. Undergraduate degree in the UK generally takes 3 years to complete: The first year is called Diploma or Level 4 Diploma, second year is called Higher Diploma or Level 5 Diploma, and the final year is called Bachelor Degree or Top-up Degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science).
For students taking the Top-up degree programs, they usually finish their Diploma and Higher Diploma in different qualified institutions. Then they can transfer the credits or “top-up” their degree to universities with Top-up programs that will accept their qualifications. Top-up have widely spread to institutions other than UK such as Singapore, Hongkong, Switzerland, Ireland, Finland, Australia and some universities in USA.
What is the entry requirements? (IPC, 2018)
Each university have different entry requirements for Top-up degree but the following are the requirements for top up course in a majority of universities in UK, you must have completed any one of the following:
* A relevant Foundation degree from recognized institution ; or
* Two years of a relevant BA (Hons) degree from a recognized institution; or
* A relevant Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognized institution.
One of the major points to be noted is that the previous qualification that you are using to gain to entry into a top course must be relevant to the subject you are applying the top up course for. For instance if it is fine arts or business studies, you must have prior qualification in the same subject area.
What are the advantages of Top-up Degree program?
#1. Top-up degree program will allow students to study for their diploma and higher diploma in different institutions even outside of UK. Students can flexibly choose to study online, offline, blended in countries with qualified institutions offering the programs.
For example, John Doe from China wants to finish a foreign degree through Top-up program. He can apply to study for Diploma online in his home country, transfer to Higher diploma institution in Canada to gain foreign experience, and top-up to finish his degree in the UK. If John feels that Canada will be his second home, he can opt to finish Top-up online without having to go to UK.
#2. Top-up degree awards you with fully recognized university degree. Students who graduate from Top-up degree will have the same diploma as offline students who studied full-time in the university. Although the study pattern is not traditional, the requirements to pass the diploma, higher diploma, and top-up is still as rigorous as the full-time student of the university. It is recommended that the student choose institution to finish Diploma, Higher Diploma, and Top-up that provides good academic support, because it will be difficult to complete on your own.
Not all majors will be available in Top-up degree such as Medical and Fine Arts due to the required facilities and relevant hands on experiences.
#3. It is more time and cost efficient. Studying diploma and higher diploma in another institution is generally cheaper than studying full-time in the university. On average, university in UK requires 35,000USD to 50,000 USD to complete their degree full-time but with Top-up program, students pay on average 15,000USD to 23,000USD to complete their study including diploma and higher diploma. Also, some institutions have more flexible academic schedule by removing semester start dates, term breaks, and end dates. It allow the students to complete their studies in their own time and much faster if they are motivated.
For example, John Doe who is studying online in China expediate his study by taking no semester breaks and complete the Diploma in 6 months. He travels to Canada, and complete his Higher Diploma while taking a part-time job in 8 months. Then he Top-up to UK university online and focus on his study to finish the program in 1 year. He only spent a little over 2 years to complete the Bachelor program with less than half the tuition fee required from full-time student.
References
1. Essex. (2017). What is a Top-up degree?. Available: https://online.essex.ac.uk/blog/what-is-a-top-up-degree/. Last accessed 12th Feb 2021.
2. IPC. (2018). Everything you need to know about top up degree. Available: https://www.unidirection.com/blog/everything-need-know-top-degree/. Last accessed 12th Feb 2021.
