UK Education Levels Breakdown

From school to university, education in the UK is divided into, and defined by, levels. There are eight total levels (numbered 1-8) defined in the RQF and 12 total levels (numbered 1-12) defined in the SCQF. These levels are set as a standard which means the nature and volume of study at a certain level will be the same everywhere. England, Wales and Northern Ireland follow the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and Scotland follows the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF).

For this guide, I’ll be focussing on higher education levels (Level 4 and above) only. Higher education is defined as study undertaken after completing school, typically taking place in universities and colleges.

Here’s everything you need to know about what the different higher education levels are, what qualifications fall under each level, and how the Scottish levels compare to the rest of the UK.

What are the different higher education levels?

Higher education levels are numbered 4-8 and cover everything between Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) to a PhD. Before we move on, there is one thing we need to clarify. The level of education is simply a classification for different qualifications, they determine the difficulty, depth and outcome of study.

Let’s see what qualifications fall under each higher education level.

Level 4

Level 4 qualifications are the first step into higher education and the first level after secondary education (Levels 1-3). They often act as a bridge between school and university. Some examples of Level 4 qualifications are:

• Higher National Certificate (HNC)
• Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
• Level 4 awards, diplomas and certificates
• Higher apprenticeship

Level 5

Level 5 qualifications set you up for higher university degrees, giving you knowledge of a subject that goes beyond school and secondary education. Some examples of Level 5 qualifications are:

• Foundation degree
• Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Diploma of Higher education (DipHE)
• Level 5 awards, diplomas and certificates

Level 7

A Level 7 qualification is equivalent to a Masters degree. If you’re looking to build in-depth knowledge of a subject, a Level 7 degree is the way to go. It is also the penultimate qualification level (for outside of Scotland), becoming a common stepping stone for those wanting to pursue a PhD. Some examples of Level 7 qualifications are:

• Masters degree
• Integrated Masters degree
• PGCE
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
• Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
• Level 7 awards, diplomas and certificates

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

Like the RQF in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the SCQF is the name of the structure of qualifications in Scotland. It’s similar to the RQF and recognises the same qualifications but the SCQF is made up of 12 levels.

Here’s how the SCQF levels compare to the ones used in the rest of the UK.

How can you move between the levels of education?

The levels of education are hierarchical which means the volume and complexity of study increases with each level. So, you’re also likely to move from one level to the next. For example, you’re likely to move from a Bachelors to a Masters to a PhD. However, there are exceptions to this rule as it is possible to jump from a Bachelors to a PhD.

You’ll often find these education levels mentioned in course entry requirements and job requirements, so it’s important to understand how they work. They are also a good indicator for how an international qualification matches to ones in the UK. However, check with your university first about how your international qualification translates to the UK system before committing to anything.