Education system

A bachelor's is the first degree (3 to 4 years). A master's is a specialised degree after it (1 to 2 years). A PhD is a research degree after a master's (3 to 6 years). Some countries add diplomas and graduate certificates between these levels.

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Because they are full time for twelve months including the summer dissertation, with no long vacation. The content matches a two-year programme elsewhere and the degree is recognised as a full master's worldwide.

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A group of 24 research-intensive UK universities, including Glasgow, Southampton and Exeter among our partners. They are well regarded, but many excellent courses are at universities outside the group.

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The Teaching Excellence Framework rates English universities Gold, Silver or Bronze for teaching quality and student outcomes. Scottish universities are not rated.

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First (70 percent or above), 2:1 (60 to 69), 2:2 (50 to 59), Third (40 to 49). Master's are graded Distinction, Merit, Pass. Many employers and postgraduate courses ask for a 2:1.

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A grade point average on a 4.0 scale used in the US, Canada and elsewhere. A 3.0 is roughly a UK 2:1; universities publish their own conversion tables.

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The European credit system: 60 credits is one full-time year. A bachelor's is 180 to 240 ECTS and a master's 60 to 120. Used across the EU, Switzerland and increasingly elsewhere.

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