UK Higher Education (HE) Degree Comparability

 

The following page provides comparisons between UK and International higher education qualifications. Unfortunately, this cannot be a full listing for every country in the world but lists degree qualifications from some countries encountered frequently. 

Comparability is derived from the UK-NARIC information [International Comparisons and/or Grading Transfer System]. This information is provided for general guidance purposes only and is subject to change. Information correct as of 2011.

This information only pertains to recognised qualifications that are awarded by UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that are recognised degree awarding bodies and listed as recognised HEIs by the UK NARIC. The comparability tables shown below are derived from UK NARIC statements on comparability. Additional admissions criteria or information may be relevant at the HE institution or university offering a particular course.

Note that some students with relevant work or professional experience may be considered for taught Masters programmes. Even if an applicant's academic qualifications are not comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree, their work experience may supplement their overall profile and could be a deciding factor in determining whether or not they are suitable for the relevant taught Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate course depending on the admissions requirements.

 

The UK Higher Education System

To compare an international qualification with a UK qualification, one must first define the relevant UK qualification.

The UK Bachelor's degree is usually studied over a period 3 years full time (or the part-time equivalent) in which students will accumulate 360 CATS credits at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Some students in the sciences may study for an additional year, at Level M, in order to obtain an undergraduate Masters degree (e.g. MEng, MPhys, MMath, 4-year MSci degrees are equivalent to a full BSc + 1-year MSc. or equivalent) that consist of a total of 480 CATS credits and are recognised as appropriate research training for these subject areas.

UK Bachelor's Honours Degrees

Degree Classification

Mark range

Percentage of Students Obtaining Class/Division [Source: UK NARIC]

First [I] Honours

70% to 100%

8.93%

Upper Second [2i] Honours

60% to 69%

41.57%

Lower Second [2ii] Honours

50% to 59%

30.00%

Third [III] Honours

40% to 49%

4.6%

Fail / Drop out

0% to 39%

14.9%

Note: Most universities also offer an 'ordinary pass' Bachelor's degree without honours. They usually do not require the full number of Level 3 modules to be completed, but only 3/6 say. However, full honours are required to progress onto further postgraduate studies.

 

UK Masters Degrees

These are usually studied for 1 year full-time (or the part-time equivalent). These may be specialist courses leading on from a Bachelor's degree in that subject area; Research Training or Research Preparation Masters that specifically prepare students for PhD; conversion courses that condense the essential elements of the final 2 years of a Bachelor's degree and a Masters dissertation (usually around 12,000-15,000 words) into a 12-month period. These are all taught Masters programmes and consist of 180 CATS Credits. An MPhil however is purely a research degree. An MRes consists of a 1/3 taught element and a 2/3 research element. Entry requirements are usually either a 2i or a 2ii Honours degree. Some vocationally oriented Masters courses also require relevant work experience.

N.B. 180 CATS credits = 90 ECTS credits (European credit transfer scheme)



UK PhD Degrees and MPhil

The PhD is a pure research programme conducted under the supervision of a specialist in the field. Where relevant, students will follow research training modules during their first year to support their research project, and are usually registered for an MPhil initially. They will then transfer into the PhD program if they continue beyond the first 1-2 years or so. The final assessment will be based on the doctoral thesis (usually around 100,000 words and of a standard suitable for publication) and a viva-voce examination in the presence of an External Examiner and a Internal Examiner. A PhD programme takes at least 3-4 years full-time (or the part-time equivalent). Entry requirements are usually a 2i Honours degree and in some cases a relevant Masters degree.

 

Comparison with other EU Higher Education Qualifications

Country UK 2ii Honours BA/BSc standard UK 2i Honours standard UK 1st Class Honours standard UK Masters standard
Austria
  • Bachelor 3.2
  • Diplomstudium/Magister
  • Bachelor 2.2
  • Diplomstudium/Magister
  • Bachelor 1.6
  • Diplomstudium/Magister

 

  • Master's degree
Belgium
  • Bachelor Pass with good references
  • Licentiaat / Licencié
  • Bachelor Cum laude or a cum fructu with good references or avec distinction or overal average of 70%
  • Licentiaat / Licencié
  • Bachelor Magna Cum laude
  • Licentiaat / Licencié

 

  • Master's degree (courses from 2004)
Bulgaria
  • Bachelor 4.0 (from 2001)
  • Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie
  • Bachelor 5.0 (from 2001)
  • Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie
  • Bachelor 6.0 (from 2001)
  • Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie

 

  • Master's degree (courses from 2001)
Czech Republic
  • Bakalár 2.9
  • Magistr (formerly Absolvent Vysoké Skoly
  • Bakalár 2.2
  • Magistr (formerly Absolvent Vysoké Skoly
  • Bakalár 1.2
  • Magistr (formerly Absolvent Vysoké Skoly
  • Magistr (courses from 2001)
Denmark
  • Bachelor 7.4
  • Candidatus Philosophiae
  • Diplomingeniør
  • Professionbachelor / Eksanmensbevis
  • Bachelor 8.5
  • Candidatus Philosophiae
  • Diplomingeniør
  • Professionbachelor / Eksanmensbevis
  • Bachelor 11.0
  • Candidatus Philosophiae
  • Diplomingeniør
  • Professionbachelor / Eksanmensbevis
  • Candidatus - second level (long cycle) university degree (usually post 1995)
  • Magisterkonfereus (Magister Artium)
Eire Bachelors H2.2 Bachelors H2.1 Bachelors H1
  • Master's degree
Estonia Bakalaurusekraad 'D' Grade Bakalaurusekraad 'C' Grade bordering on a 'B' Grade Bakalaurusekraad 'A' Grade
  • Magistrikraad
Finland
  • Kandidaatti / kandidat (lower academic degree, min. 120 credits new system) (2005 -) 1.38
  • Oikeusnotaari (lower academic law degree)
  • Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto, AMK / yrkeshögskoleexamen, YHS (polytechnic degree, min. 120 credits) - new system since 1996
  • Maisteri / magister (higher academic degree, min. 160 credits/5 years) as of 1996
  • Proviisori / provisor (higher academic degree in Pharmacy, min. 200 credits)
  • Kandidaatti / kandidat (lower academic degree, min. 120 credits new system) (2005 -) 1.98
  • Oikeusnotaari (lower academic law degree)
  • Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto, AMK / yrkeshögskoleexamen, YHS (polytechnic degree, min. 120 credits) - new system since 1996
  • Maisteri / magister (higher academic degree, min. 160 credits/5 years) as of 1996
  • Proviisori / provisor (higher academic degree in Pharmacy, min. 200 credits)
  • Kandidaatti / kandidat (lower academic degree, min. 120 credits new system) (2005 -) 3, 3-
  • Oikeusnotaari (lower academic law degree)
  • Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto, AMK / yrkeshögskoleexamen, YHS (polytechnic degree, min. 120 credits) - new system since 1996
  • Maisteri / magister (higher academic degree, min. 160 credits/5 years) as of 1996
  • Proviisori / provisor (higher academic degree in Pharmacy, min. 200 credits)

 

  • Lisensiaatti / licenciat (pre-doctoral scientific postgraduate degree)

 

France
  • Licence 10.8
  • Diplôme from an Ecole Superieure de Commerce / Gestion / Politique
  • Diplôme d'Ingénieur
  • Maîtrise
  • Licence 12.2
  • Diplôme from an Ecole Superieure de Commerce / Gestion / Politique
  • Diplôme d'Ingénieur
  • Maîtrise
  • Licence 14.0
  • Diplôme from an Ecole Superieure de Commerce / Gestion / Politique
  • Diplôme d'Ingénieur
  • Maîtrise
  • Master's degree (courses from 2002)
  • Mastère Specialisé
  • Magistère (introduced in 1985)
  • Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées
  • Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies
Germany
  • Bachelor 3.90
  • Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH))
  • Magister Artium / Diplom / Erstes Staatsexamen (First State Examination)
  • Bachelor 2.80
  • Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH))
  • Magister Artium / Diplom / Erstes Staatsexamen (First State Examination)
  • Bachelor 1.90
  • Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH))
  • Magister Artium / Diplom / Erstes Staatsexamen (First State Examination)

 

  • Master
  • Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen
Greece
  • Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI 6.45
  • Diploma from Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture
  • Ptychion (awarded by a TEI): 7.40
  • Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI 7.40
  • Diploma from Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture
  • Ptychion (awarded by a TEI): 8.51
  • Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI 8.51
  • Diploma from Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture
  • Metaptychiakon Spoudon Diploma
Hungary
  • Egyetemi Oklevel 2.2
  • Foiskola Oklevel  3.2
  • Alapképzés , Bachelor degree 2.2
  • Egyetemi Oklevel 3.2
  • Foiskola Oklevel   4.2
  • Alapképzés , Bachelor degree 3.2

  • Egyetemi Oklevel 5.0
  • Alapképzés , Bachelor degree 5.0
  • Egyetemi Doktor (1983-1996)
Italy
  • Diploma di Laurea 99
  • Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti
  • Corsi di Master Universitario di primo livello
  • Corsi di Specializzazione di primo livello
  • Diploma di Laurea 104
  • Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti
  • Corsi di Master Universitario di primo livello
  • Corsi di Specializzazione di primo livello
  • Diploma di Laurea 107
  • Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti
  • Corsi di Master Universitario di primo livello
  • Corsi di Specializzazione di primo livello
  • Corsi di Master Universitario di secondo livello
  • Corsi di Specializzione di secondo livello
Latvia
  • Bakalaurs (courses from 2000) 5.58
  • Professional Bachelor Degree
  • Magistrs (pre-2000)
  • Bakalaurs (courses from 2000) 6.56
  • Professional Bachelor Degree
  • Magistrs (pre-2000)
  • Bakalaurs (courses from 2000) 8.00
  • Professional Bachelor Degree
  • Magistrs (pre-2000)

 

  • Magistrs (courses from 2000)
Lithuania
  • Bakalauras (Bachelor degree) (courses from 2000) 6.38
  • Magistras (Master's degree)(pre-2000)
  • Bakalauras (Bachelor degree) (courses from 2000) 8.22
  • Magistras (Master's degree)(pre-2000)
  • Bakalauras (Bachelor degree) (courses from 2000) 10.00
  • Magistras (Master's degree)(pre-2000)

 

  • Magistras (Master's degree) (courses from 2000)
Luxembourg
  • Bachelor - assez bien (35 to 39 pts)
  • Diplôme d'Ingénieur Industriel (bien)
  • Bachelor - bien (40 to 47 pts)
  • Diplôme d'Ingénieur Industriel (très bien
  • Bachelor - très bien (over 47 pts)
  • Master

Malta Bachelors Lower Second Class Honours Bachelors Upper Second Class Honours Bachelors First Class Honours
  • Master's degree
Netherlands
  • Bachelor degree (courses from 2002)
  • Doctoraal
  • Getuigschrift Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO)

Overall average of 6.0 to 6.9

 

  • Bachelor degree (courses from 2002):
  • Doctoraal
  • Getuigschrift Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO)

Overall average of 7.0 to 7.9

  • Bachelor degree (courses from 2002):
  • Doctoraal
  • Getuigschrift Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO)

Overall average of 8.0 to 10.0

  • Master's degree (courses from 2002)
Poland
  • Bachelor degree (post 2003) 3.3
  • Magister (with subject title)(before 2003)
  • Bachelor degree (post 2003) 4.2
  • Magister (with subject title)(before 2003)
  • Bachelor degree (post 2003) 5.0
  • Magister (with subject title)(before 2003
  • Masters degree (post 2003)
Portugal
  • Licenciado
  • Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados

Overall average of 16 to 17 = bom com distinção

  • Licenciado
  • Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados

Overall average of 18 to 19 = muito bom com distinção

  • Licenciado
  • Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados

Overall average of 20 = muito bom com distinção e louvor

  • Master's degree
  • Mestrado / Mestra
Romania
  • Diploma de Licenta (from 2003)
  • Diploma de Inginer (from 2003)

Overall average 6.5

  • Diploma de Licenta (from 2003)
  • Diploma de Inginer (from 2003)
Overall average 8.5
  • Diploma de Licenta (from 2003)
  • Diploma de Inginer (from 2003)

Overall average 9.5

  • Diploma de Master
Slovakia
  • Bakalár (from 2005)
  • Magister / Inzinier (formerly Absolvent Vysokej školy)

Overall grading dobrý / C

  • Bakalár (from 2005)
  • Magister / Inzinier (formerly Absolvent Vysokej školy)

Overall grading vel' mi dobrý / B

  • Bakalár (from 2005)
  • Magister / Inzinier (formerly Absolvent Vysokej školy)

Overall grading výborný / A

  • Magister / Inzinier, Master's Degree / Engineer (awarded from 2003)

  • Doktor Filozofie (abbr. PhDr.)

Slovenia
  • Diplomant, Professionally Oriented First Degree: 7.5

  • Univerzitetni Diplomant, Academically Oriented First Degree: 7.5

  • University Diploma: 7.5

 

  • Diplomirani / Diplomirani Inženir from Visoko izobraževanje (Professional programme diploma) : 8.5

  • Diplomant, Professionally Oriented First Degree: 8.5

  • Univerzitetni Diplomant, Academically Oriented First Degree: 8.5

  • University Diploma: 8.5

 

  • Diplomirani / Diplomirani Inženir from Visoko izobraževanje (Professional programme diploma) 9.5

 
  • Diplomant, Professionally Oriented First Degree: 9.5

  • Univerzitetni Diplomant, Academically Oriented First Degree: 9.5

  • University Diploma: 9.5

 

  • Magister
Spain
  • Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto 5.2
  • Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto 6.8
  • Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto 9.0

  • Magister
Sweden
  • Kandidatexamen (min 120 credits): at least 100 credits at G (Godkänd) with good supporting references

  • Kandidatexamen (min 120 credits): at least 90 credits at VG (Väl Godkänd)

Kandidatexamen (min 120 credits): at least 110 credits at VG (Väl Godkänd) with excellent supporting references
  • Magisterexamen (min 160 credits)
  • Licentiatexamen (Licentiate)
  • Master's degree / International Master's degree (in English)


Comparison with non-EU HE Qualifications

Country

UK 2ii Honours standard UK 2i Honours standard UK 1st Class Honours standard UK Masters standard
Argentina Licenciado / Professional title (4-year course): 7.5 Licenciado / Professional title (4-year course): 8.5 Licenciado / Professional title (4-year course): 9.5 Maestria / Magister
Australia
  • Bachelor's Honours:2.2 / 2B / Credit 60%-69%
  • Bachelor's Ordinary: 2.1 / 2A / Distinction 70%-79%
  • Bachelor's Honours:2.1 / 2A / Distinction 70%-79%
  • Bachelor's Ordinary: 1st Class / High Distinction 80%-100%
  • Bachelor's Honours:: 1st Class / High Distinction 80%-100%

 

Master's degree
Bangladesh
  • Bachelor degree (4 years duration from a private university rated as ‘Good’ by UGC (see list below)): 52% 2nd Class
    (North South University, Dhaka / Independent University, Dhaka / International Islamic University, Chittagong / American International University, Dhaka / East West University, Dhaka / BRAC University, Dhaka / University of Development Alternative, Dhaka / Stamford University, Dhaka / Daffodil International University, Dhaka )

  • Bachelor degree (4 years in duration) from BUET: 45% 2nd Class

  • Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) / Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery: 52%

  • MA, MSc, MCom, LLM: 52% 2nd Class
  • Bachelor degree (4 years duration from a private university rated as ‘Good’ by UGC (see list below)): 60% 1st Class
    (North South University, Dhaka / Independent University, Dhaka / International Islamic University, Chittagong / American International University, Dhaka / East West University, Dhaka / BRAC University, Dhaka / University of Development Alternative, Dhaka / Stamford University, Dhaka / Daffodil International University, Dhaka )

  • Bachelor degree (4 years in duration) from BUET: 52% 2nd Class

  • Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) / Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery: 60%

  • MA, MSc, MCom, LLM: 60% 1st Class
Bachelor degree (4 years in duration) from BUET: 60% 1st Class

 

 

  • Masters from BUET
  • MPhil
  • Masters in Engineering/Masters in Science (Engineering) = UK PG Diploma
  • PhD = UK MPhil
Brazil
  • Bacharel / Licenciado / Professional title (4 years or more) - 7.0
  • Bacharel / Licenciado / Professional title (4 years or more) -  8.0
Bacharel / Licenciado / Professional title (4 years or more) - 9.0 Mestrado (rating 4 -5)
Brunei Darussalam
  • Bachelor's Honours: 2ii
  • Bachelor's Ordinary 2i
  • Bachelor's Honours: 2i
  • Bachelor's Ordinary 1st
  • Bachelor's Honours: 1st
Masters
Canada Bachelor's Honours
  • 5.5 on 9pt. scale
  • 68% where pass mark 60%
  • 62% where pass mark 50%
  • C+
  • GPA 2.5
Bachelor's Honours
  • 6.5 on 9pt. scale
  • 75% where pass mark 60%
  • 70% where pass mark 50%
  • B
  • GPA 3.0

Bachelor's Honours

  • 7.8 on 9pt. scale

  • 82% where pass mark 60%

  • 82% where pass mark 50%

  • A

  • GPA 3.6

Master's degree/Maîtrise
Chile Licenciatura/Professional Degree: 5.0 Licenciatura/Professional Degree: 5.5 Licenciatura/Professional Degree: 6.0 Magister (when awarded on basis of research and thesis)
P.R. China Xueshi /    (4-year Bachelor's degree)

Prestigious Universities: final average 70%

National Universities: final average 80%

Xueshi/   (4-year Bachelor's degree)

Prestigious Universities: final average 75%

National Universities: final average 85%

Xueshi/   (4-year Bachelor's degree)

Prestigious Universities: final average 80%

National Universities: final average 90%

Shoshi/  

 (Master's degree)

Egypt Bachelor of Arts (from a Public or Private University): 65%

Bachelor of Science (from a Public or Private University): 65%

Bachelors from the American University in Cairo: GPA 2.5

Bachelor of Arts (from a Public or Private University): 80%

Bachelor of Science (from a Public or Private University): 75%

Bachelors from the American University in Cairo: GPA 3.0

Bachelor of Arts (from a Public or Private University): 90%

Bachelor of Science (from a Public or Private University): 85%

Bachelors from the American University in Cairo: GPA 3.6

Majister

Ghana

Bachelor's 2ii Honours/GPA 2.5

Bachelor's 2i Honours/GPA 3.0

Bachelor's 1st Honours/GPA 3.6

2-year Master's degree with thesis or MPhil

India
  • Bachelor of Science (Engineering)/Engineering/Technology when awarded from a central university, a recognised state university, or a regional Engineering college: II Class (50%)
  • Bachelor of Engineering / Technology (when awarded from an institute of national importance, centre of advanced study, or an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore): II Class (50%)
  • Bachelor degree in professional subjects (when awarded from a central university, recognised state university or a centre of advanced study): II Class (50%)
  • Bachelor of Arts / Science (Honours/Special degree) when awarded from a central university, a recognised state university: II Class (50%)
  • Bachelor of Education (4 year integrated programme):  II Class (50%)
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a law college approved by the India Bar Council: II Class (50%)
  • Bachelor of Arts / Science / Commerce (3-year programmes)(when awarded from a central university, recognised state university or a centre of advanced study): II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor of Science (Engineering)/Engineering/Technology when awarded from a central university, a recognised state university, or a regional Engineering college: II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor of Engineering / Technology (when awarded from an institute of national importance, centre of advanced study, or an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore): II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor degree in professional subjects (when awarded from a central university, recognised state university or a centre of advanced study): II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor of Arts / Science (Honours/Special degree) when awarded from a central university, a recognised state university: II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor of Education (4 year integrated programme):  II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a law college approved by the India Bar Council: II Class (58%)
  • Bachelor of Arts / Science / Commerce (3-year programmes)(when awarded from a central university, recognised state university or a centre of advanced study): I Class (65%)
  • Bachelor of Science (Engineering)/Engineering/Technology when awarded from a central university, a recognised state university, or a regional Engineering college: I Class (65%)

  • Bachelor of Engineering / Technology (when awarded from an institute of national importance, centre of advanced study, or an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore): I Class (65%)

  • Bachelor degree in professional subjects (when awarded from a central university, recognised state university or a centre of advanced study): I Class (65%)

  • Bachelor of Arts / Science (Honours/Special degree) when awarded from a central university, a recognised state university: I Class (65%)

  • Bachelor of Education (4 year integrated programme):  I Class (65%)

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a law college approved by the India Bar Council: I Class (65%)

 

  • MA/MSc/MCom
  • MPhil = UK MPhil but individual assessment may be required
  • Master of Engineering / Technology (when awarded from an Engineering college, an Institute of national importance, centre for advanced study, an Indian Institute of Technology, or the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore)

 

 

Indonesia
  • Sarjana (S1)(course accreditation A): GPA 2.5
  • Sarjana (S1)(course accreditation B): GPA 3.0
  • Sarjana (S1)(course accreditation A): GPA 3.0
  • Sarjana (S1)(course accreditation B): GPA 3.5
  • Sarjana (S1)(course accreditation A): GPA 3.6

 

Sarjana II (S2) / Magister
Jamaica Bachelor's degree: 2ii Bachelor's degree: 2i Bachelor's degree: 1st
  • 2-year's Master's degree = UK taught Master's degree
  • MPhil = UK MPhil
Japan Bachelor degree (Gakushi):

Average 67% or at least C grades in 90% of the courses

Bachelor degree (Gakushi):

Average 75% or at least B grades in 90% of the courses

Bachelor degree (Gakushi):

Average 85% or at least A grades in 90% of the courses

Master's degree (Shushi)
Jordan Bachelor's degree: GPA 2.5 / Grade C Bachelor's degree: GPA 3.0 / Grade B Bachelor's degree: GPA 3.6 / Grade A
  • Master's degree (by examination)
  • Master's degree (by thesis work)

Kenya

Bachelor's degree: 2ii

Bachelor's degree: 2i

Bachelor's degree: 1st

Master's degree

Libya Bachelor's degree (from a university)
  • Percentage System: 80%
  • GPA: 3.0
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering or Medicine (from a university)
  • Percentage System: 75%
  • GPA: 2.5
Bachelor's degree (from a university)
  • Percentage System: 85%
  • GPA: 3.5
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering or Medicine (from a university)
  • Percentage System: 80%
  • GPA: 3.0
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering or Medicine (from a university)
  • Percentage System: 85%
  • GPA: 3.6

 

PhD = UK taught Master's degree
Macedonia Bachelor degree (Bologna award): 5.9

Visoko Obrazovanja (4 to 6 year course): 6.7

Bachelor degree (Bologna award): 6.7

Visoko Obrazovanja (4 to 6 year course): 7.5

Bachelor degree (Bologna award): 7.5
  • Diploma o Specijalist (DSp)

  • Magistar

Malawi

Master's degree: Pass with Credit (60% to 69%)

Master's degree: Pass with  marginal Distinction (70% to 74%)

Master's degree: Pass with  Distinction (75%)

No direct comparison with UK taught Master's degree

Malaysia

Bachelor's 2ii Honours

Bachelor's 2i Honours

Bachelor's 1st Honours

Masters

Mexico

Licenciado / Professional title (when awarded after 4 years): 8 (bien)

Licenciado / Professional title (when awarded after 4 years): 9 (muy bien)

Licenciado / Professional title (when awarded after 4 years): 10 (excelent)

Maestría

New Zealand

Bachelor's Honours degree: e.g. B-

Bachelor's degree: e.g. B+

Bachelor's Honours degree: e.g. B+

Bachelor's degree: e.g. A

Bachelor's Honours degree: e.g. A

Master's degree

Nigeria

(after 1991) Bachelor's 2i Honours

(before 1991) Bachelor's 2ii Honours

(after 1991) Bachelor's I Honours

(before 1991) Bachelor's 2i Honours

(before 1991) Bachelor's 1st Honours

Master's degree

Norway
  • Bachelor's degree (from 2003)
  • Candidatus Magisterii
  • Sivilingeniør (siv. ing.)
  • Siviløkonom (siv. øk.)

(before 2002) final average between 3.2 and 2.6

(from 2002) at least D grades in all subjects

  • Bachelor's degree (from 2003)
  • Candidatus Magisterii
  • Sivilingeniør (siv. ing.)
  • Siviløkonom (siv. øk.)
(before 2002) final average between 2.5 and 1.6

(from 2002) B grades in at least 50% of subjects and at least C grades for the remainder

  • Bachelor's degree (from 2003)
  • Candidatus Magisterii
  • Sivilingeniør (siv. ing.)
  • Siviløkonom (siv. øk.)
(before 2002) final average between  1.0 and 1.5

(from 2002) A grades in at least 50% of subjects and at least C grades for the remainder

  • Candidatus Realium / Candidatus Philologiae = UK taught Masters
  • Magister Artium (mag. art.) = UK MPhil
  • Master's degree from 2003 = UK taught Masters
Pakistan
  • Bachelor Degree (four-years) in Science and Professional Subjects (e.g. LLB): II (55%)
  • Master's degree (old system): II (55%)

  • Master of Philosophy degree: II (45%)
  • Master’s Degree (two-years) in Humanities and Commerce Subjects: II (45%)

  • Bachelor Degree (four-years) in Science and Professional Subjects (e.g. LLB): I (60%)
  • Master's degree (old system): I (60%)
  • Master of Philosophy degree: II (55%)
  • Master’s Degree (two-years) in Humanities and Commerce Subjects: II (55%)
  • Master’s Degree (two-years) in Humanities and Commerce Subjects: I (60%)

  • Master of Philosophy degree: I (60%)

 

  • Master of Engineering / Science in Engineering = UK taught MSc

 

  • Master’s Degree (two-years) in Science and Professional Subjects

  • PhD = UK MPhil
Russia
  • Bakalavr (since 1991): overall average at least 4.5
  • Specialist Diploma (before 1991):overall average at least 4.5
  • Bakalavr (from 2009): overall average at least 4.0
  • Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991): overall average at least 4.0
  • Magistr: overall average at least 4.0
  • Bakalavr (since 1991): overall average of 5
  • Specialist Diploma (before 1991): overall average of 5
  • Bakalavr (from 2009): overall average of 4.5
  • Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991): : overall average of 4.5
  • Magistr: overall average of 4.5
  • Bakalavr (from 2009): overall average of 5

  • Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991): : overall average of 5

  • Magistr: overall average of 5

 

No direct comparison with UK taught Master's degree

Saudi Arabia

Bachelor's degree: GPA 3.0 / 70%

Bachelor's degree: GPA 4.0 / 85%

Bachelor's degree: GPA 4.5 / 92%

Master's degree

South Africa

  • Bachelor's Honours: 2ii / 60%

  • Bachelor's Ordinary: 2i / 70%

 

  • Bachelor's Honours: 2i / 70%

  • Bachelor's Ordinary: I / 75% / Distinction

  • Bachelor's Honours: I / 75% / Distinction

 

  • Taught Master's degree = UK taught Master's degree

  • MPhil = UK MPhil

South Korea

Bachelor (Haksa) degree GPA 3.0

Bachelor (Haksa) degree GPA 3.5

Suksa (Master's degree) GPA 2.5

Suksa (Master's degree)

Sri Lanka
  • Bachelor's Special degree: 2ii (55%)
  • Bachelor's General degree: 2i (60%)
  • Bachelor's Special degree: 2i (60%)
  • Bachelor's General degree: I (70%)
  • Bachelor's Special degre: I (70%)

 

  • MPhil = UK MPhil
  • Master's degree (taught) = UK taught Master's degree
  • Master's degree (Research) = UK Masters (approx. MRes)
Syria
  • Bachelor Degree (in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Engineering) 70%
  • all other subjects: Master's degree/ al-Mâjistîr 75%
  • Bachelor Degree (in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Engineering) 80%
  • all other subjects: Master's degree/ al-Mâjistîr 85%
  • Bachelor Degree (in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Engineering) 90%

  • all other subjects: Master's degree/ al-Mâjistîr 95%

PhD / al-Duktûrâh = generally comparable to a UK taught Master's degree but may be assessed on an individual basis
Taiwan
  • Bachelor's degree from National Universities: 70%
  • Bachelor's degree from other universities: 75%
  • Bachelor's degree from National Universities: 75%
  • Bachelor's degree from other universities: 80%
Bachelor's degree from National Universities: 80% Master's degree
Thailand Bachelor's GPA 3.0 Bachelor's GPA 3.5 Master's GPA 3.0 Thai PhD = UK MPhil

(No direct comparison with taught Master's degree )

Masters Degree (awarded from the Asian Institute of Technology)

Turkey

Lisans Diplomasi GPA 2.5

Lisans Diplomasi GPA 3.0

Lisans Diplomasi GPA 3.6

Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi (with thesis) GPA 3.0

Uganda

Bachelor's 2ii Honours/GPA 2.7

Bachelor's 2i Honours/GPA 3.6

Bachelor's 1st Honours/GPA 4.4

Masters

United Arab Emirates

Bachelor's GPA 2.5

Bachelor's GPA 3.0

Bachelor's GPA 3.6

Master's degree

United States of America Bachelor's GPA 2.5 Bachelor's GPA 3.0 Bachelor's GPA 3.6
  • Master's degree (taught) = UK taught Master's degree if in same subject as Bachelor's degree
  • MA/MS (Research) = UK taught Master's degree

Note: Doctorates or PhDs are generally internationally equivalent 3 or 4-year research based degrees. An MPhil (or alternatively an MRes) is approximately the first 1-2 years of a full PhD, and both require a research component and submission of a thesis, unless the MPhil is then turned into a PhD with a 100,000 word thesis. Some universities (such as the OU as of 2012) also offer the MPhil as a shorter stand alone option and require the submission of a 60,000 word thesis instead. Beyond PhDs are higher Post-doctoral research degrees(?) such as Doctor of Science (DSc), DEng, DLit, DD, or equivalents in other fields.

Source: University of Wales, Aberystwyth


City and Guilds

Professional and National Vocational Qualification comparisons

Not sure what an NVQ Level 3 really means? Want to know how many GCSEs are equal to an NVQ Level 2? Our quick look comparison guide gives you the low down.

 

City & Guilds

Academic  Other 
Entry Level
  • Entry level vocational awards
  • Scottish intermediate 
    Scottish Access 1-2
----
Level 1
  • SVQ / NVQ level 1
  • Level 1 vocational awards
  • IVQ certificate
  • Level 1 International Introductory Awards*
  • GCSE grades D - G 
  •  3 / Foundations S Grade 
     Scottish Access 1-2
  • Foundation GNVQ
Level 2
  • SVQ / NVQ level 2
  • Level 2 vocational awards
  • IVQ Technician certificate
  • IVQ Diploma
  • Level 2 International awards*
  • GCSE grades A* - C
  • Scottish intermediate 2/Credit S Grade
  • Intermediate GNVQ
  • BTEC first certificate
Level 3
  • SVQ / NVQ level 3
  • Level 3 vocational awards
  • IVQ Technician Diploma
  • IVQ Advanced Diploma
  • Level 3 International Awards*
  • A level
  • Scottish higher
  • AVCE
  • BTEC National
  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Vocational A Levels
Level 4
  • Licenciateship (LCGI)
  • Higher Professional Diploma
  • SVQ / NVQ level 4
  • Level 4 vocational awards
  • Undergraduate
  • Full technical certificate
  • BTEC HND / HNC
Level 5
  • Diploma SVQ / NVQ level  5
  • Level 5 vocational awards
  • IVQ Advanced Technician Diploma
  • Undergraduate
e.g. Undergraduate Diplomas and Certificates at degree level
Level 6
  • Graduateship (GCGI)
  • Associateship (ACGI)
  • Graduate
Bachelor's degrees:
BA, BEng, BSc or equiv.
Level 7
  • Membership(MCGI)
  • Master Professional  
    Diploma
  • Post graduate
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas e.g. PGCE.
Master's Degrees:
MSc, MEng, MA and equiv.
Level 8
  • Fellowship (FCGI)
  • Doctoral
e.g. MRes, MPhil and PhD

* Nearest comparable level

Source: City and Guilds Institute, London 2010

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