Is a Top-Up Degree a Real Degree?

Diploma vs. degree: not rivals, but partners.

One of the most common questions students ask is: “If I do a top-up degree, is it a real degree?” The short answer: yes, 100%.

A top-up degree is the final year of a UK bachelor’s. When you finish Levels 4 & 5 (the first two years), you’ve already earned 240 credits. Add a top-up year (120 credits), and you graduate with the same 360-credit UK bachelor’s degree as anyone who studied on campus for three years.

Your diploma isn’t a “second-class” option — it’s the foundation that gets you to the finish line.

Diploma vs Degree: What’s the Difference?

Diploma (Level 4 & 5)

Equivalent to Year 1 + Year 2 of university
Builds the first 240 credits
Focused, flexible, and affordable

Degree (Level 6)

The final year of university (top-up year)
Adds the remaining 120 credits
Grants the full bachelor’s degree certificate

Think of it like building a house: the diploma lays the foundation and the walls, and the degree puts on the roof. One without the other is incomplete — but together, they create the full structure.

Why This Route Works

It’s Official – Top-up degrees are awarded by UK universities and recognised globally. Your certificate is indistinguishable from a three-year student’s.
It’s Smarter – By starting with Levels 4 & 5, you save money, time, and often avoid student loans.
It’s Flexible – Diplomas let you study remotely and then transfer to a university of your choice for the final year.

The Takeaway

A top-up degree is a fully fledged UK bachelor’s degree. A diploma isn’t a downgrade — it’s your stepping stone. Together, they’re not rivals but partners: two stages of the same journey.

At Huxton Institute, we specialise in helping students complete Levels 4 & 5 so they can top up at leading UK universities or global campuses — graduating debt-free and with the same recognition as any traditional route.