The A-Z of Qualifications Explained...

Advanced Diploma
Level 3 - the highest level for a Diploma

BA
Bachelor of Arts

BA (Hons)
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours – a 1st-3rd degree)

BArch (Hons)
Bachelor of Architecture (with Honours)

BDes (Hons)
Bachelor of Design (with Honours)

BEd
Bachelor of Education

BEng (Hons)
Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours)

BSc (Hons)
Bachelor of Science (with Honours)

BSc (Hons) (Foundation)
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) at foundation level

C&G Certificate
City and Guilds Certificate

CertEd
Certificate of Education

CertHE
Certificate of Higher Education

DipHE
Diploma of Higher Education

DMS
Diploma in Management Studies

DHSci
Doctor of Health Science

Foundation Degree
A vocational qualification that sits on the same level as the Higher National Diploma and Certificate but below the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts level of education.

Foundation Programme (UFP)
A one-year intensive course that leads to entry to a wide range of UK universities.

FdA
Foundation in Art

FdEng
Foundation in Engineering

FdSc
Foundation in Science

Graduate Diploma
Professional career qualification

HNC
Higher National Certificate

HNC to HND Conversion
Higher National Certificate conversion to Higher National Diploma

HND
Higher National Diploma

Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The Legal Practice Course (LPC), also known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, is the vocational stage for becoming a solicitor in England and Wales.

LLB (Hons)
Bachelor or Law (With Honours)

LLM
Master of Laws: an advanced law degree

LLDip
A conversion course for people who have a degree in a subject other than law and want to go on to become a solicitor or a barrister.

Licentiate Membership
Professional membership and accreditation of an official association

MA
Master of Arts

MIB
Master of International Business

MBA
Masters in Business Administration

MBA (Executive)
An executive MBA for business professional with significant experience

MDes
Master of Design

MEng
Master of Engineering

MPharm
Master of Pharmacy

MPhil
Master of Philosophy

MRes
Master of Research

MSc
Master of Science

NVQ
National Vocational Qualification

PGCE
Postgraduate Certificate of Education

PgCert
Postgraduate Certificate

PgDip
Postgraduate Diploma

PhD
A Doctorate

Post-MSc- Diploma
Professional diploma completed after a Master of Science

Pre-Entry Certificate
Access to study at degree levee at a UK university or college

Professional Higher Diploma
Professional qualification towards becoming fully qualified

Test of Professional Competence
A professional certificate that tests your professional competence with your chosen subject

Registered Nurse
A registered nurse has met the standards of proficiency for pre-registration nursing education and has been placed on the National Medical Council list and is approved to nurse.

SVQ
Scottish Vocational Qualification.