Undergraduate courses are taught within the Undergraduate Modular Scheme (UMS), a nationally recognised framework made up of three levels, with each level worth 120 credits.

An individual module in an undergraduate course is normally worth 30 academic credits. If you are a full-time student, you must undertake 120 academic credits of study (that is, four 30-credit modules) each year. Part-time students normally study 60 credits each year (two 30-credit modules).

An Honours degree award comprises:

• 240 credits for a Foundation degree or a diploma of higher education
• 300 credits for an Ordinary degree
• 360 credits for an Honours degree

Generally, you follow a set diet of modules at level 1 but there may be options at levels 2 and 3. For some courses, particularly where there are professional body requirements, you may have a set diet at each level.

The taught Postgraduate Modular Scheme (PMS) comprises three awards:

• 60 credits for a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
• 120 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
• 180 credits for a Master’s

Modules are normally worth 15 or 30 credits each and the final Master’s-level dissertation is worth 60 credits. The assessment and grades systems for postgraduate courses are the same as for the Undergraduate Modular Scheme.