Get Qualified

Get Qualified

CU Coventry offers a range of academic awards. For many of our subjects you can choose the level at which you want to study. And the great thing about CU Coventry is that you can complete one course and then decide to study further for a higher award, helping to improve your employability.

Foundation Year

Our Foundation Year courses offer an introduction to your chosen subject and are an ideal route to higher level qualifications, helping you develop the necessary skills for further study. You can apply for a Foundation Year course if you have:

  • Studied for level 3 qualifications, such as A levels or a BTEC National Diploma and Certificate qualifications, but may not have yet achieved the grades necessary to enter the university course of your choice.
  • Studied for a level 3 qualification but have decided to change subject area.

A Foundation Year course will comprise four six-week learning blocks (120 credits).

Degree with foundation year courses

A degree with foundation year gives you a direct, accessible route to your desired higher education path. It's a four-year undergraduate course that includes an additional year of study at the start. This foundation year is designed to give you the necessary knowledge and skills to progress onto degree-level study.

Higher National Certificate (HNC)

A Higher National Certificate is a well-established qualification at level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework. Many employers like their staff to have this qualification if they want them to operate at a technician level within their organisation.

At CU Coventry you will be required to study and pass four specified six-week learning blocks (120 credits) at level 4 in order to achieve a HNC. A HNC is year one of a degree course.

Higher National Diploma (HND)

A Higher National Diploma can be studied from year one or you can join the course after completing a HNC. With a HND qualification you can expect to work as a higher technician in your company.

A HND is equivalent to 240 credits or eight specified six-week learning blocks:

  • four at level 4
  • four at level 5

A HND is year two of a degree course.

Bachelor’s Degree with Honours

The Undergraduate Honours Degree is the widely recognised qualification offered by the UK university system. Once you have an honours degree you will be a graduate and have better prospects to be able to work at a professional level in an organisation.

The Honours Degree at CU Coventry is designed so that you can enter at first, second or third level according to your existing qualifications. It is made up of 360 credits:

  • 120 at level 4
  • 120 at level 5
  • 120 at level 6

Each level is usually taken and completed over one year.

Professional qualifications

In addition to the academic qualification, many courses at CU Coventry can lead to professional qualifications. These are awards made by professional bodies after you have taken and passed the examinations, tests and professional practice requirements set by the relevant professional body.

Professional qualifications are designed to ensure that professional standards within a whole range of fields are maintained and, in most instances, you’ll be able to apply for membership of the professional body.

Where applicable our HNC, HND and Honours Degree courses have been designed around these standards and we have worked closely with the relevant professional bodies to achieve accreditation.

Securing a professional qualification could help set you apart from other candidates when you’re applying for jobs, and it will show prospective employers that you are a committed individual, serious about what you do.

Please note that all examination fees and membership fees are in addition to your tuition fees. 

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