British degree abbreviations explained

Degree abbreviations are used as an alternative way to specify an academic degree instead of spelling out the title in full, such as in reference books such as Who's Who and on business cards. Many degree titles have more than one possible abbreviation, with the abbreviation used varying between different universities. In the UK it is normal not to punctuate abbreviations for degrees with full stops (e.g. "BSc" rather than "B.Sc."), although this is done at some universities.

Overview

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies lays down five levels of qualification with the title of degree: foundation (not in Scotland), ordinary and honours bachelor's (only separate levels in Scotland), master's and doctoral. These relate to specific outcome-based level descriptors and are tied to the Bologna Process.[1]

It is common to put the name of the awarding institute in brackets after the degree abbreviation, e.g. BA (Lond). A list of standard abbreviations for British universities can be found at .

Note that the lists below include historical degrees that may not currently be offered in British universities.

Anomalies

For historical reasons some universities (the ancient universities of England and Scotland) do not fully adhere to the Framework (particularly with respect to the title of Master of Arts), and degrees in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine are titled as bachelor's degrees despite being at master's level.[2]

Undergraduate Master of Arts degrees

The usage in the ancient universities is not consistent with the Framework or the Bologna Process. The ancient universities of England (Oxford and Cambridge) grant an MA degree that is not a substantive qualification but reflects the ancient practice of these universities of promoting BAs to MAs (and thus full membership of the University) a few years after graduating (see Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)). The ancient universities of Scotland award an undergraduate MA (see Scottish MA) instead of a BA. For students to obtain a master's degree consistent with the framework in these ancient English universities, they have created the MSt (Master of Studies) to address this anomaly and differentiate between the degrees, both master's.

The MAs from Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews are considered bachelor's level qualifications on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and first cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process, while the Oxbridge MAs are considered "not academic qualifications" (the actual qualification being the BA).[2]

Master's level bachelor's degrees

Conversely, some bachelor's degrees in the "higher faculties" at the older universities in the UK (e.g. those other than arts at Oxford and Cambridge) are postgraduate qualifications (e.g. the BCL and BMus at Oxford). Many have been changed to the corresponding master's degree (e.g. BSc is now MSc at Oxford), but only within the last generation. The BD (Bachelor of Divinity) remains a higher degree at some universities (e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews and, until recently, Durham) but is an undergraduate degree at most (e.g. London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow).

Bachelor's degrees in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, while undergraduate degrees, are longer courses and are considered to be master's level qualifications in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and second cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process.[2]

Bachelor/Master/Doctor of Philosophy

There is an international (but not universal) custom that certain degrees will be designated '.... of Philosophy'. Examples are the BPhil (Bachelor of Philosophy), MPhil (Master of Philosophy) and PhD or DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy). Most recipients of such degrees have not engaged in a specialised study of academic philosophy - the degree is available for almost the whole range of disciplines. The origins lie in the ancient practice of regarding all areas of study as elements of 'philosophy' with its Greek meaning, 'friend of wisdom'. Thus holders of an MPhil degree may have earned it in any academic discipline.

Foundation level qualifications

These qualifications sit at level 5 (foundation level) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are short cycle (within or linked to the first cycle) qualifications under the Bologna Process.[3]

See also Foundation degree.

Bachelor's level qualifications

These qualifications sit at level 6 (bachelor's level) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are first cycle (end of cycle) qualifications under the Bologna Process.[3]

Most British bachelor's degrees are honours degrees and indicated by putting "(Hons)" after the degree abbreviation. A student achieving a pass grade, below honours standard, may be awarded an "ordinary degree" or a "pass degree" and may not add "(Hons)".

As noted above, the MAs of the ancient universities of Scotland are also at this level and may also add "(Hons)" after their acronyms. Both these and bachelor's degrees with honours at Scottish universities are four-year courses at level 10 of the Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutes in Scotland. Scottish bachelor's degrees without honours (including non-honours MAs from the ancient universities of Scotland) are three-year course with less specialisation (an Ordinary Degree or a General Degree) at level 9 of the Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutes in Scotland.[6]

Some of the following are postgraduate degrees in a few universities, but generally bachelors are undergraduate degrees.

Master's level qualifications

These qualifications sit at level 7 (master's level) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are second cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process.[3]

Undergraduate-entry degrees

Undergraduate-entry "Integrated master's" degrees are offered with honours, and so may add (hons) after the degree abbreviation. These are substantive master's degrees integrating undergraduate and master's level study, with the final qualification being at the same level as postgraduate master's.[2]

Primary qualifications in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine are taken as undergraduate-entry courses and are denominated bachelor's degrees, but are normally offered without honours These are also qualifications at the same level as postgraduate master's degrees, but retain the name of bachelor's for historical reasons.[2] The Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery are always taken together as the primary medical qualification in the UK, equivalent to the American MD.

Note that where there is a similarly titled postgraduate master's degree, the formulation " Master in ..." is used for the undergraduate degree and "Master of ..." for the postgraduate degree (e.g. MArt/MA, MSci/MSc). Where there is no equivalent postgraduate degree, either "in" or "of" is used.

Integrated master's degrees

Primary dental qualifications

Primary medical qualifications

Primary veterinary qualifications

Postgraduate degrees

Postgraduate master's degrees may be either taught degrees or research degrees. Taught master's degrees may be awarded by an institution with taught degree awarding powers; master's degrees by research (e g MPhil, MRes), where over half of the student's effort is in original research, require research degree awarding powers.[18] Postgraduate degrees are not normally honours degrees and thus do not add "(Hons)". Some degrees may be offered as either integrated master's or postgraduate master's courses at different institutes, e.g. MEng and MArch.

A few postgraduate degrees at Oxford are titled as bachelor's degrees. These are, nonetheless, master's level qualifications.

Doctoral degrees

UK doctoral degrees are at level 8 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are third cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process. All doctoral degrees include "original research or other advanced scholarship" demonstrating "the creation and interpretation of new knowledge".[35]

Due to the flexibility of Latin word order, there are two schools in the abbreviation of doctor's degrees. The two ancient universities of England split on this: at Cambridge, D follows the faculty (e.g. PhD, LittD.), while at Oxford the D precedes the faculty (e.g. DPhil, DLitt). Most universities in the UK followed Oxford for the higher doctorates but followed international precedent in using PhD for Doctor of Philosophy and professional doctorates.

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications lays down the naming convention that Doctor of Philosophy is reserved for doctorates awarded on the basis of examination by thesis or publication, or by artefact, composition or performance accompanied by written academic commentary. Other doctorates (typically styled professional or specialist doctorates) that have substantial taught elements normally include the field in the name of the degree.[1]

Higher doctorates are normally awarded as honorary degrees (honoris causa), but can also be awarded on the basis of a substantial body of published work. DUniv is only ever an honorary degree. Some degrees awarded as higher doctorates by one institution may be awarded as professional doctorates by another (e.g. EngD).

Professional / specialist doctorates

Doctorates by thesis or composition

Higher and honorary degrees

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. Quality Assurance Agency. November 2014. 35–37. 2015-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf. 2016-03-05. dead.
  2. Book: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. Quality Assurance Agency. November 2014. 28–29. 2015-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf. 2016-03-05. dead.
  3. Book: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. Quality Assurance Agency. November 2014. 17–18. 2015-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf. 2016-03-05. dead.
  4. Web site: Post-Nominal Letters. Loughborough University. 15 November 2015.
  5. Web site: Unistats record 2017/18 - List of KISCourse.KISAIM valid entries. HESA. 6 May 2017. 6 April 2017.
  6. Book: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. Quality Assurance Agency. November 2014. 25 & 27. 2015-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf. 2016-03-05. dead.
  7. Book: Shaw's Academical Dress of Great Britain and Ireland. Nicholas Grooves. Burgon Society. 3rd. 43–49. 2011. 9780956127235.
  8. Web site: Academic Dress. Durham University Calendar. Durham University. 15 November 2015.
  9. Web site: BMSc Rules & Regulations. University of Dundee. 7 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710043320/https://medicine.dundee.ac.uk/bmsc-rules-regulations. 10 July 2017. dead.
  10. Web site: Academic Regulations 2016–17. Cardiff University. 7 May 2017 . 8–10. https://web.archive.org/web/20170111020136/http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture/files/2016/11/Academic-Regulations-2016-17.pdf. 11 January 2017.
  11. Web site: Ordinance 5. Calendar 2011–12. University of Exeter. 7 May 2017.
  12. Web site: Language and style guide 2016. 7 May 2017. University of Glasgow. 20.
  13. Web site: Degrees in Music. Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge. University of Cambridge. 15 November 2015.
  14. Web site: Mathematics and Statistics MMathStat Honours. Newcastle University. 7 May 2017.
  15. Web site: M.Ost (4 years, full-time). British School of Osteopathy. 6 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170513163343/http://www.bso.ac.uk/train-to-be-an-osteopath/osteopathy-course-information/m.ost-degree-programme. 13 May 2017. dead.
  16. Web site: Master of Natural Sciences. Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge. University of Cambridge. 15 November 2015.
  17. Web site: Academic dress by degree. University of Oxford. 15 November 2015.
  18. Book: The Right to Award UK Degrees. Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. December 2014. 2–3. 2015-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025859/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/right-to-award-degrees.pdf. 2015-11-17. dead.
  19. Web site: Bachelor of Civil Law. University of Oxford. 15 November 2015.
  20. Web site: BPhil in Philosophy. University of Oxford. 15 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151018074522/http://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/bphil_in_philosophy. 18 October 2015. dead.
  21. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20030921225131/http://www.wales.ac.uk/DOCUMENTS/EXTERNAL/CALENDAR/Cal%2003%20-%202%20Section%205%20Admin%20Academic%20Ordinances.pdf. Section 5 Administrative Ordinances and Academic Ordinances. 21 September 2003. Calendar of the University. 165, 167. dead.
  22. Web site: MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2). 9 January 2017. University College London. 7 May 2017.
  23. Web site: Master of Advanced Study. Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge. University of Cambridge. 15 November 2015.
  24. Web site: Master of Composition.
  25. Web site: University of Liverpool - ERSA Congress 2008 - The Department of Civic Design. University of Liverpool. 7 May 2017. The Department’s brand is a unique asset. Civic Design is the only university department in the world to bear that name and the Master of Civic Design (MCD) is the only taught postgraduate degree with that label. .
  26. Web site: Degrees in Law. Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge. University of Cambridge. 15 November 2015.
  27. Web site: The provision of degrees and awards. Imperial College London. 15 November 2015.
  28. Web site: Magister Juris. University of Oxford. 15 November 2015.
  29. Web site: MLaw Masters in Law Programme Specifications. Queen's University Belfast. 8 May 2023.
  30. Web site: Master of Performance.
  31. Web site: Professional Studies MProf (Institute for Work Based Learning). Middlesex University. 7 May 2017.
  32. Web site: University of London Awards. University of London. 9 July 2020.
  33. Web site: Honorary awards. University of the West of Scotland. 7 May 2017.
  34. Web site: MusM Music (Musicology). University of Manchester. 7 May 2017.
  35. Book: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. Quality Assurance Agency. November 2014. 30. 2015-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf. 2016-03-05. dead.
  36. Web site: Ordinances and Regulations: Professional, Engineering and Enterprise Doctorate Degrees. PDF. 3. University of Manchester. 22 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170721082341/http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=7425. 21 July 2017. dead.
  37. Web site: Forensic Psychology - Full Programme DForenPsy. University of Nottingham. 22 May 2017.
  38. Web site: Academic Framework Regulations Postgraduate Taught Programmes, validated for delivery from September 2016. 6–7 . Liverpool John Moores University. 22 May 2017.
  39. Web site: Postgraduate. 15 November 2015. Glyndwr University. https://web.archive.org/web/20151027165014/http://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Feesandstudentfinance/Postgraduate/. 27 October 2015. dead.
  40. Web site: Practical Theology Doctorate (DPT). University of Birmingham. 22 May 2017.
  41. Web site: Doctor of Practical Theology. Roehampton Universe. 22 May 2017.
  42. Web site: Academic Dress: Doctorates. Newcastle University. 22 May 2017.
  43. Web site: Juris Doctor. Queen's University Belfast. 15 November 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020354/http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLaw/StudyattheSchool/PostgraduateStudies/JDJurisDoctor/. 17 November 2015.
  44. Web site: Core Regulations for Research Degrees by Thesis or Composition. Durham University Calendar. . 15 November 2015.
  45. Web site: Core Regulations for Higher Doctorates. Durham University Calendar. 15 November 2015. Durham University.
  46. Web site: Honorary Degrees - Procedure Guide. University of Edinburgh. 10 July 2021.

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