How our qualifications work

Image of students having received their certificates

Each course we run by is part of a credit system which enables students to work towards a qualification at their own pace. On successful completion of an accredited module a student is awarded a number of credit points, usually 10 or 20, sometimes 30 or more. As students accumulate credits it is possible to progress through the certificate and diploma levels to achieve a degree.

Lifelong Learning Certificates

Lifelong Learning Certificate are for those achieving 60 level 4 higher education credits. A list of possible certificates is given below and a certificate will be awarded for achieving at least 40 credits in a specific subject area together with 20 credits in a related area. On completion of this certificate, we encourage you to proceed to the full HE Certificate that equates to the first year of a degree course.

LL Certificate in Business & Management
LL Certificate in Community Action
LL Certificate in Drawing
LL Certificate in European Language & Culture
(Spanish, Italian, French, German)
LL Certificate in Fine Art Photography
LL Certificate in Health & Wellbeing
LL Certificate in History & Archaeology
LL Certificate in IT Skills
LL Certificate in Literature and Writing
LL Certificate in Printmaking
LL Certificate in Professional Practice
LL Certificate in Psychology in Society
LL Certificate in Social Studies
LL Certificate in Women's Issues

Higher Education Certificates

A module can be studied on its own, or you may decide to continue your studies and move on to complete a Higher Education Certificate. Certificates are made up of 120 credits at Level one, which is the same as completing the first year of a full time University course. Certificates are made up of core and optional modules. You can register for a Certificate at any time of the year and no prior qualifications are needed.

Higher Education Diplomas and BA Degrees

Once you've successfully completed a Higher Education Certificate, you may decide to continue your studies at a higher level. As with the Certificate, the Diploma and Degree have a set structure, with core modules which you must complete and optional modules which you can choose from. After completing the diploma (120 credits at Level 2) students can move on to degree level (120 credits at Level 3).

Because the degree programme is flexible you can opt to study at a pace that suits your own personal circumstances. Most students take about 4 1/2 - 5 years to complete their degree.

Postgraduate Study

At Postgraduate level a student requires 60 credits for a certificate, 120 for a diploma and 180 for an MA, of which 60 will be a dissertation.

Unlike many other Postgraduate programmes, we do not feel it is compulsory to have completed a Degree before embarking on Postgraduate studies. We take professional and personal experience into account, and consider all students on merit. We do ask people to complete an application form and attend an interview.

Routes to an award

For advice and guidance, or details on how to apply for any of the programmes, contact us on 01248 382475 or ll@bangor.ac.uk

part-time undergraduate qualifications

part-time postgraduate qualifications

student guide

distance learning