Unit 1: Understanding HE

In Britain there are over 300 institutions of higher education offering full and part-time higher education courses, leading to certificate, diploma, and degree courses. These include universities, colleges of higher education and further education colleges that offer HE courses.

Most institutions offer students the chance to work in full or part-time stages toward a qualification. Students accumulate credits for courses (usually called ‘modules’) they successfully complete.

Modules carry credit ratings, e.g. 10, 15, 20 or 40 depending on the subject chosen.

Each stage of learning involves the accumulation of 120 credits. Students, unless they have previous experience of study in higher education, begin their studies at Certificate Stage (or National Qualifications Framework – NQF 4) and work at this level before moving on to Diploma (NQF 5) , then to the degree (NQF 6) stage of learning.

Each stage has to be successfully completed before the student can continue to the next.

These stages of higher education are referred to as undergraduate level. At Level 1, students study a broad range of introductory subjects, but at level 2 and 3, there is increasing choice, allowing for more specialism on the subjects you prefer.

Types of Degree

Degrees are differentiated either as pass degrees- also known in some areas as ‘ordinary degrees – (NQF 5) - or as honours degrees (NQF 6), usually denoted by the title ‘Hons’ after the degree abbreviation, e.g. B.A. (Hons). An honours degree normally requires a higher level of engagement with the subject.

Honours degrees can be awarded in four classifications. The highest class of degree (the equivalent of an A* at GCSE) is 1st (first class); following this is a 2:1 (upper second class); then a 2:2 (lower second class); and then a 3rd (third class degree).

Typically, a student studying full-time will take 3-4 years to complete 360 credits; whilst a part-time student will take 6-8 years to reach the same level. You will usually choose modules to the value of 60 credits for each term or semester, so you should complete each level in one full-time academic year.

Students successful at level 3 degree stage can also progress to post-graduate study, which can lead to the award of Masters Degrees or to Doctorates.

You can also study for a Foundation Degree (NQF 5), either full or part-time, and these degree courses combine work placements with advanced study of a work related subject. It takes around two years to complete a Foundation Degree full time, or three to four years part time. Generally, there are no grades for Foundation Degrees, and in most cases you are awarded either a 'pass' or 'fail'. However, a few courses may also offer a 'distinction'.

Assessment

All modules leading to the award of credits are assessed, and assessment can be via exams and/or course work, which could be in the forms of essays, reports or projects. Students can be individually assessed, or assessed as part of a group.

For assessed work, students can be awarded marks in bands that broadly connect with the classes of honours degree awards.

Marks 70+ / First class (1st)
Marks 60-69 / Upper-second class (2.1)
Marks 50-59 / Lower second class (2.2)
Marks 40-49 / Third class (3rd)

Exercise

Guess the percentages of UK students awarded the following classes of degree (This is based on most recent statistics for the academic year 2006/7).

What percentage of students in Britain in 2010/11 gained a first class degree?
Was it:
5 – 10%
11 -15%
16 - 20%
19 - 25%? / My guess is % overall
What percentage of students in Britain in 2010/11 gained an Upper-second class (2.1) degree?
Was it:
25 – 30%
31 – 41%
42 - 50%
51 – 60%? / My guess is % overall

Your tutor will discuss the answers to these questions with you. Alternatively, you can check the answers yourself in the online tutor guidance notes for this Section and Unit.

Jargon Busting

Like any large organisation, higher education institutions have their own jargon, which can baffle, and even intimidate students until they learn what it means.

Exercise

Below are some jargon words you will encounter in higher education.

Try and match the jargon words with the definitions that follow them.

Jargon word(s) / Definition number =
Accreditation Process
Campus
Core Skills
Dissertation
Elective
Faculty
Formative Assessment
‘Freshers’
Seminar
Summative Assessment
Thick-Sandwich
Transcript
Transferable Skills

Definitions

Thirteen of the following definitions match with the jargon words. See if you can make the right matches.

  1. These can be applied in a range of work and learning situations.
  1. A long report or essay on a chosen subject that sets out the results of research carried out by a student. This is normally produced as part of the degree course stage (although in some subjects this is optional).
  1. The Vice-Chancellor’s welcoming speech to new students.
  1. A way of testing a student’s knowledge and understanding, but which does not necessarily contribute to the student’s overall marks for the module.
  1. This is a course or subject which is freely open to the student to choose to study.
  1. The title given to the winner of the student vote to become President of the National Union of Students.
  1. A group of academic departments that are grouped together for teaching and administrative purposes.
  1. A slang expression for a shower block in student accommodation.
  1. These are essential to learn, if you want to succeed in a particular subject area.
  1. The name given to new students.
  1. The grounds and buildings of a university.
  1. An expression used to describe an unpopular lecturer.
  1. An official record of a student’s progress and achievements during a course.
  1. An evaluation to check whether a course meets the academic standards set by a higher education institution or outside agency.
  1. A class, led by a tutor, in which a subject is discussed by the students.
  1. Testing a student’s knowledge and understanding in a way that contributes to the marks for a module.
  1. This is where a student spends a full year, usually in year 3 of a 4 year degree, on a work placement.
  1. A maths test for new students.

Your tutor will give you the result of this exercise. Alternatively, you can check the answers yourself in the online tutor guidance notes for this Section and Unit.

End of unit 1.

1