UK Educational System - UK Education

There is a wide range of academic and career-based courses on offer at universities and colleges in the UK, all of which are designed to stretch your ability and your imagination.

Students in the UK may study to many different levels, and on many different types of courses. 

Qualifications frameworks

The National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications help students to understand the levels at which qualifications are recognised.

These range from Level 1 to Level 8, with Level 8 being the highest.

The framework detailed below provides a broad indication of how the qualifications compare. You can find out more from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority www.qca.org.uk.

National Qualifications Framework Framework for Higher Education

Level 1
Level 1 certificates
GCSEs (grades D–G)
BTEC Introductory Certificates/Diplomas

Level 2
Level 2 certificates/diplomas,
GCSE (grades A*–C)
BTEC First Diplomas

Level 3
Level 3 certificates/diplomas
AS-/A-levels
International Baccalaureate
BTEC Nationals

Level 4 Certificate
Level 4 certificates/diplomas
Certificates of higher education

Level 5 Intermediate
Level 5 certificates/diplomas
Diplomas of higher education and further BTEC Higher Nationals education
Foundation degrees

Level 6 Honours
Level 6 certificates/diplomas
First degrees, graduate certificates/diplomas

Level 7 Master’s
Level 7 diplomas, Level 7 fellowships
Master’s degrees
Level 7 advanced professional certificates/postgraduate certificates/diplomas

Level 8 Doctorate
Highly specialist diplomas
Doctoral degrees


NOTE this is a different grading scale to the NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) system
MBA Tution Fee Cost Of Living Expenses In Uk For Indian Students