Diplomas and certificates

Study at postgraduate level and gain a qualification without the time or financial commitment of a full masters degree.

What diplomas and certificates are

We offer a number of postgraduate taught programmes with a diploma or certificate as an award type. Compared to a full masters degree, these are qualifications that: 

  • take less time to complete
  • require fewer academic credits
  • have lower tuition fees 

We offer these award types within a variety of subject areas, but many are designed to be practice-focused, helping you progress within a specific career. 

Most of our certificates and diplomas are part-time and taught online. A small number of our diplomas are full-time and on-campus, including our Professional Graduate Diploma in Education.

You can apply for one of our certificates or diplomas through the degree finder. Filter for programmes that list PgCert or PgDip as an award type, and make sure you select the certificate or diploma option when you are applying for your chosen programme.

Entry requirements for a diploma or certificate

You normally need to have an undergraduate degree to be accepted for a certificate or diploma. In most cases, we require you to have graduated with a first class or upper second class degree, or the international equivalent.   

Sometimes, we will accept you for a diploma or certificate if you have enough relevant work experience, but this depends on the programme. 

Check entry requirements on the degree finder 

Programme duration and delivery

The amount of time it takes to complete your certificate or diploma will depend on whether you are studying full-time, part-time or on a part-time intermittent basis. 

Part-time intermittent is a flexible form of study that gives you the longest amount of time to complete your programme. With this delivery mode, you pay for individual courses as you take them. 

Certificates 

To gain a certificate, you will need to complete 60 academic credits (most individual courses are worth 10 or 20 credits). 

  • If you are studying part-time, a certificate usually takes 1 year to complete.
  • If you are studying on a part-time intermittent basis, you will usually have 2 years to complete your studies. 

Diplomas 

To gain a diploma, you will need to complete 120 academic credits (most individual courses are worth 10 or 20 credits).  

  • If you are studying full-time, a diploma usually takes 9 months.
  • If you are studying part-time, a diploma usually takes 2 years.
  • If you are studying on a part-time intermittent basis, you will usually have 4 years to complete your studies. 

Programme structure and teaching

The teaching you receive for a diploma or certificate is the same as the teaching you would receive for a masters degree.  

One key difference is that you will not complete independent research (a dissertation) at the end of your programme. 

Learn more about masters teaching

Postgraduate professional development

If you would like to study at postgraduate level to help progress your career, but without committing to a certificate, diploma or masters degree, consider our postgraduate professional development (PPD) scheme. 

This study route allows you complete up to 50 academic credits within a practice-focused programme over a period of 2 years.  

Postgraduate professional development (credit-bearing short courses) 

This article was published on