FHEQ Level 5 and 6 direct entry degrees at the University of Surrey: Frequently asked questions

It is a way to gain a full honours undergraduate bachelor’s degree by combining previous certificates with a year or two of full-time study. In effect, you’ll be ‘topping up’ your qualifications with extra study. Put simply, our specialist FHEQ Level 5 and 6 direct entry degrees allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate honours BSc degree from the University of Surrey within 12-24 months. 

These programmes are a way to gain an internationally recognised degree in a shorter amount of time than starting a full three-year undergraduate programme. 

Our FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degrees are open to both UK and international applicants.  

If you’re an international student with a diploma or have completed one or two years of a degree at a higher education institution outside of the UK, this route can be a quicker way to secure a full bachelor of science honours degree from the University of Surrey. They will also give you the skills and knowledge required if you wish to pursue postgraduate studies at a UK university. 

If you’re a UK resident, our FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degrees are primarily designed for students who already hold a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree, or Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE). For example, if you have completed a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or another equivalent Level 4 qualification, you may be eligible to join the second year (Level 5) of a relevant degree. If you have completed a Higher National Diploma (HND) or another equivalent Level 5 qualification, you may be eligible for final-year (Level 6) entry. Eligibility and level of entry will depend on your academic background and the qualifications you have achieved. 

Shorter duration 

Completing your degree in just one or two year/s is a significant advantage. You’ll fast-track your route to graduation without repeating content you’ve already mastered at Level 4 or Level 5. 

Lower overall costs 

While the annual tuition might be similar to that of a second or final undergraduate year, your total investment is less because you’re only paying for one or two years instead of three or four. 

Enhanced employability 

Many employers, particularly for graduate-level roles, require a full bachelor’s degree. By topping up with a FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degree, you open doors to better job prospects, higher earning potential, and the chance to enrol on postgraduate courses. 

International student pathways 

For international students, a FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degree can be a stepping stone to further study, such as a masters or PhD, or a route to the UK’s Graduate visa (Post-Study Work visa), provided you meet the relevant work and visa requirements. 

The combination of shorter study time, cost savings, and improved career opportunities makes it an attractive option for both UK and international students.  

We’re consistently ranked highly for our courses, student satisfaction, graduate career prospects and teaching.  

Enhance your career prospects 

Employability is at the heart of what we offer so you graduate ready for your chosen career.   

Our stats speak for themselves: 94 per cent of our undergraduates are in employment or further study 15 months after leaving Surrey; of these 88 per cent have secured graduate-level roles (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA). You’ll benefit from the guidance of our award-winning careers team who will help you find your chosen career path. 

Innovative learning 

At Surrey, you'll experience expert teaching that brings your subjects to life. Whether it's through hands-on projects, engaging discussions or access to incredible facilities, our academics are passionate about their fields and dedicated to helping you discover yours. You'll learn to think critically, solve problems, and innovate – skills essential for any career path.  

Surrey is home to world-leading research that tackles global challenges, from healthcare breakthroughs to sustainable technologies. This means you'll be learning from academics at the forefront of their fields.   

Our beautiful and safe location 

At Surrey you get the best of both worlds: a campus in the heart of Guildford, with shops and a train station close by with fast train links to London, surrounded by the Surrey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty.  

Guildford is one of the safest towns to live in the UK (Complete University Guide, February 2025) and, on campus, we provide a 24/7, 365 days a year uniformed presence, with regular patrols of all areas, both on foot and in vehicles. 

A friendly and supportive community 

You’ll join an outward-looking community of students and staff who have an impact locally, and globally. There's always something happening on campus, ensuring a lively social scene and plenty of opportunities to make lifelong friends and connections. From your flatmates to your lecturers and the huge range of clubs and societies, you'll quickly find your people.  

Learning and language skills and support 

We have a diverse community at Surrey and understand that everyone has different needs and requirements. There is a wealth of services available to support the development of your academic skills while studying with us.  

We offer both English preparation courses for international students planning to study with us and English academic language and skills courses and individual support for students during their studies.  

Find out more about the specialist support we have available for you.  

Financial support 

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to both UK and international students. Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies. 

The FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degrees at the University of Surrey last for two or one academic years respectively. Because you enter in either the second or third year of an undergraduate course, you’ve already completed the fundamental stages.  

Course duration: A full-time FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degree usually spans 10 months (September-June) 

Qualification outcome: Upon finishing, you’ll be awarded a BSc (Hons) bachelor of science degree in your chosen subject from the University of Surrey, just as you would with a traditional full bachelor’s programme. 

We welcome applications for advanced entry into our undergraduate degree programmes. Applicants may be considered for direct entry to Level 5 (Year 2) or Level 6 (Year 3) depending on their prior qualifications and academic background. 

For more details, please refer to the course page ‘Entry requirements’ section. 

Yes. Once you’ve successfully completed the FHEQ Level 5 or Level 6 direct entry degree programme, you’ll receive a bachelor’s degree with honours, exactly like someone who did the full three or four years of undergraduate study. The difference is that you’ve entered in the second or third year thanks to your prior credits, so it’s a condensed route but leads to the same level of qualification. 

Direct entry degrees are a well-recognised qualification treated the same as a regular three-year undergraduate degree course by universities – should you be looking to go on to postgraduate study – and employers in the UK and overseas.