What Is a Level 6 Qualification? A Plain Guide for UK Students

You see it in job adverts. "Educated to Level 6." You see it on course pages and on forms. But nobody stops to say what it means.

So what is a Level 6 qualification? In simple terms, it is study at the same standard as the final year of a university degree. A full bachelor's degree, such as a BA (Hons), is the best known Level 6 qualification.

This guide explains what Level 6 means in the UK, which courses count, how it compares with Level 5, and how you can reach it, even if you did not go to university at 18.

What is a Level 6 qualification, in plain words?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, every qualification is given a level. The level tells you how hard the course is. It goes from Entry Level up to Level 8.

Here is the ladder.

• Level 2 is GCSEs at grade 4 and above.
• Level 3 is A Levels, BTEC Nationals and Access to HE courses.
• Level 4 is the first year of a degree, or an HNC.
• Level 5 is the second year of a degree, an HND or a foundation degree.
• Level 6 is the final year of a degree. A bachelor's degree sits here.
• Level 7 is a master's degree.
• Level 8 is a doctorate, also called a PhD.

So Level 6 is the top of undergraduate study. Undergraduate just means study up to a first degree.

Scotland uses a different set of numbers. If you see Scottish levels, do not mix them up with these.

Which qualifications are Level 6?

More than you might think. All of these sit at Level 6.

• A bachelor's degree with honours, like a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons).
• An ordinary degree, which is a degree without honours.
• A top-up degree, which is the final year of a degree taken on its own.
• A degree apprenticeship, where you work and study for a degree at the same time.
• A graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
• Some professional awards, such as a Level 6 diploma from a professional body.

The level tells you how hard the work is. It does not tell you how big the course is. A full degree takes three years. A Level 6 certificate might take a few months. Both are Level 6, but they are not the same size. Employers who ask for "a degree" usually mean the full thing.

Is Level 6 the same as a degree?

Mostly, but not quite.

A bachelor's degree is a Level 6 qualification. That part is true. But not every Level 6 qualification is a degree. A short Level 6 diploma is at degree standard, yet it is a smaller award.

If a job advert says "degree or equivalent", a BA (Hons) meets it with no questions asked. If you have a different Level 6 award, check with the employer.

What is the difference between Level 5 and Level 6?

This matters a lot if you have an HND or are thinking about one.

An HND, or Higher National Diploma, is a Level 5 qualification. It covers the same ground as the first two years of a degree. Our guide to what Level 4 and Level 5 mean explains those steps.

Level 6 is one step up. The jump is not about more facts. It is about how you think.

At Level 5, you learn how things work and apply them. You might look at a real business and suggest how to improve its marketing.

At Level 6, you are asked to judge. You compare ideas, weigh up the evidence and reach your own view. You question what the textbooks say. You also work more on your own, often on one long piece of research called a dissertation or a final project.

Tutors guide you less and expect more. That sounds scary, but if you have passed Level 5, you have already built the skills you need. Our post on critical thinking at Level 6 shows what the step up feels like.

Why does a Level 6 qualification matter?

There are four main reasons.

It meets the "degree" rule in job adverts. Many graduate schemes and management jobs ask for a degree. An HND gets you a long way, but some doors only open at Level 6.

It can lift your pay. On average, people with a degree earn more over their working life than people without one. It is an average, not a promise, but it is a real pattern.

It lets you study further. A master's degree is Level 7, and most ask for a Level 6 degree first. The same goes for teacher training.

It can help with work abroad. A bachelor's degree is understood by employers and visa offices around the world. Other awards are sometimes harder to explain.

How do you get a Level 6 qualification?

There are three common routes.

The three-year degree

This is the route most people know. You apply through UCAS, which is the service that handles university applications in the UK. You study full time for three years and finish with a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons).

It works well for many school leavers. It is harder for adults with jobs, children and bills.

The HND and top-up route

This is the route many adult learners take. You study an HND for two years. That gives you Level 4 and Level 5, and a qualification in its own right. Then you take a top-up degree, which is one more year at Level 6.

At the end you hold a full BA (Hons). It is the same degree a three-year student gets.

The good thing about this route is that you can stop and start. You can finish the HND, work for a while, then come back for the final year. You also have a real qualification after two years, so you are never left with nothing. Our guide to what a top-up degree is explains how the final year works.

The degree apprenticeship

Here you are employed and your employer pays for your degree. You earn a wage and have no tuition fees. The catch is that places are few and hard to win. Our post on HND or apprenticeship compares the two.

How long does it take to get to Level 6?

It depends on where you start.

From Level 3, such as A Levels, it takes three years full time.

From an HND or a foundation degree, it takes one year full time. Some colleges offer the final year part time over a longer period.

If you have no Level 3 qualifications, do not give up. Many colleges accept work experience in place of A Levels for an HND. Our post on getting onto a business HND without A Levels explains how.

Can you get student finance for Level 6 study?

In most cases, yes. If you are a UK student on your first degree, you can usually get a tuition fee loan to cover your fees. You may also get a maintenance loan to help with living costs.

This applies to a top-up year too. Moving from an HND to a top-up is treated as carrying on with your studies.

You only start paying back once you earn over a set amount. Our guide to student finance for adult learners covers the details. Rules can change, so always check the official Student Finance pages before you apply.

Is Level 6 too hard if you have been out of education?

Many adults ask this. The honest answer is that it is a step up, but it is a fair one.

Nobody starts at Level 6. You build up to it. By the time you get there, you have written plenty of reports, given presentations and learned how to find good sources.

Adults often do well at this level. You have real work stories to draw on. When an assignment asks you to judge how a manager handled a problem, you have seen it happen.

What helps most is time. Plan your weeks. Start assignments early. Talk to your tutor when you are stuck, not when the deadline has passed.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Level 6 qualification a degree?

A bachelor's degree is Level 6. Some other awards are also Level 6 but smaller than a degree. Check the title of the qualification, not just the level.

Is an HND a Level 6 qualification?

No. An HND is Level 5. You can turn it into a Level 6 degree with a one-year top-up.

What level is a BA (Hons)?

A BA (Hons) is Level 6.

What comes after Level 6?

Level 7, which includes master's degrees and postgraduate diplomas.

Can I go straight to Level 6 without Level 5?

Usually not. A top-up degree asks for a Level 5 qualification first, such as an HND or a foundation degree.

Do employers care about Level 6?

Many do. A lot of management and graduate jobs ask for a degree. Others value an HND plus experience just as much. Read the advert closely.

Ready to plan your route to Level 6?

At LCK Academy, you can start with the HND Business or the HND Hospitality Management, then move on to a BA (Hons) top-up for your final year. You get a qualification at each stage, and you can study around your job and family.

• Email: admissions@lckacademy.org.uk
• Phone: 020 8161 3300

Get in touch and we will help you work out the quickest route from where you are now.