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The complete guide to a diploma of higher education (DipHE)

Discover how a diploma of higher education could propel your career forward, and get tips on how to apply, entry requirements, and online degree options.

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Want to study at university level and earn a credible qualification, but don’t quite have the grades, time or funds to commit to a full degree? As it turns out, we’ve got the perfect solution — a diploma of higher education (DipHE) can propel your career forward for a fraction of the time and cost commitment of a degree.

Keep reading to find out exactly what a diploma of higher education is, the different options available, how to apply, how much they cost, and much more. 

What is a diploma of higher education?

A diploma of higher education (DipHE) is equivalent to the first two years of an undergraduate degree at university, and is taught in the same way. In fact, if you complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree but then have to drop out, you can still be awarded a DipHE, as long as you pass your assessments.

A DipHE is one step up from a certificate of higher education (CertHE), which is equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s degree. Its function is largely the same — to offer a foundation and respected qualification in the subject that you want to pursue a career in, but a DipHE goes into more depth, and therefore should lead to better career opportunities.

While a full undergraduate degree is worth a total of 360 UCAS points, a DipHE is usually worth 240 points in total.

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Entry requirements for a diploma of higher education

Since a DipHE can act as a stepping stone for those seeking to get onto more advanced degrees, there aren’t usually strict entry requirements for them. After all, they’re offering you a foundation in a new subject, so it would be unfair to already expect a lot of expertise and experience.

However, depending on the subject and institution offering the DipHE, you may need to have at least one A-level in a relevant subject, or the equivalent of 80 UCAS points. It may also be necessary for you to have a C/4 grade in GCSE English or Maths, depending on your chosen subject.

The most important thing is to express a real interest and passion for your chosen subject, which may include writing a strong personal statement in your application, and having a suitable referee give a recommendation.

What can I study on a diploma of higher education?

Generally, a DipHE focuses on one specialism, so that you have enough study time to really hone in on your subject. However, there is also the possibility to choose a mixture of subjects to study, though this is more geared towards students who are unsure about what to specialise in.

We’ve listed some of the most popular subjects for DipHE qualifications below, but there’s a really wide range of options out there. So why not do your own research today, and see if there’s a DipHE in a subject you’re passionate about?

  • Accounting
  • Healthcare management
  • Business management
  • Criminal psychology
  • Music
  • Engineering
  • Nursing
  • Computer science
  • Counselling
  • Biomedical science
  • Environmental studies
  • Education
  • Social work.

How long does it take to get a diploma of higher education?

The modules on a DipHE are normally spread out across a two year period. However, it is possible to fast-track your learning and complete your qualification in 12-18 months, which is ideal for those who have the time to really commit to their studies and are looking to quickly progress in their careers

Alternatively, perhaps you already have a full or part-time job, and need to keep working while you earn your qualification. That’s where an online diploma of higher education can be a saving grace, allowing you to study in the evenings from home while you earn your salary and gain valuable experience in the day. 

Or, you can simply choose to study your DipHE on a part-time basis, which usually means it’ll take four years to complete, rather than two.

How much does a diploma of higher education cost?

Generally, a DipHE will cost you the same amount as two years of an undergraduate degree, which is £9,250 per year for most UK students. However, this can vary, so make sure you check the full cost of the qualification on your chosen institution’s website. Either way, despite being cheaper than a full bachelor’s degree, it’s still a lot to fork out in one go.

But don’t worry, similarly to other higher education qualifications, you can apply for a student loan from the government to cover costs, and pay it back once you’re earning a high enough salary. Below, we’ve provided some links to other useful pages about higher education grants and funding options.

Funding options for a diploma of higher education

How to get a diploma of higher education

Another perk of applying for a DipHE is that there’s no lengthy application process on UCAS. Instead, you generally apply directly through the university or institution you’re interested in studying with. 

However, you may still need to write an application letter explaining why you want to take the course, and some programs may still want to interview you. So, just make sure to take a good look at the online course prospectus before applying.

How will you be assessed on a diploma of higher education?

The exact assessment methods will depend on the subject you’re studying and the institution, but you can expect a range of assessment types including academic essays, assignments, exams and projects. Take a look at the DipHE course page on your chosen institution’s website to find out exactly how you’ll be assessed on your program.

If you’re interested in a more practical form of diploma, a Higher National Diploma (HND) is equivalent to a DipHE, but specialises in more practical subjects. This is also reflected in the assessment methods, where you’d be assessed using presentations and projects rather than through written work.

Rather than receiving a degree classification, like first or second class, your DipHE will be graded in terms of pass or fail, with the opportunity to earn a merit or distinction if you do well.

How difficult is a diploma of higher education?

Since a DipHE aims to provide you with a foundation in a subject, it’s not designed to be particularly difficult. In your first year, the intention is to introduce you to new topics, start building your knowledge and prepare you for further study. However, in the second half of your diploma, you can expect to study more advanced topics and for things to become more challenging.

Despite being geared towards more inexperienced learners, a DipHE  is still a higher education qualification at the end of the day. You’ll need to have completed some level of further education previously, and have the passion and drive to commit to your studies. Otherwise, you won’t build the foundational skills you need for the next stage in your career.

What can you do with a diploma of higher education?

We’ve already touched on this, but a DipHE is a great gateway into further university study, or can simply be a standalone qualification to build new skills and progress your career. In the case of the former, once you’ve successfully completed your qualification, you can enter the final year of a bachelor’s degree that has similar enough content. 

This doesn’t have to be something you do immediately — if you want, you can bank your DipHE, get some more work experience, and then come back to a bachelor’s program whenever you’re ready. Essentially, a DipHE affords you a lot of flexibility with your education journey.

However, if you’re not necessarily interested in going after a full degree, a DipHE is still an excellent entry point into careers that don’t require you to be a graduate. For example, you could go into nursing, counselling, construction or accountancy with a DipHE under your belt.

Can a diploma of higher education increase your salary?

It’s hard to say exactly whether a DipHE will increase your salary, as so much depends on the particular subject you study, where you get your qualification, and the career you’re looking to enter.

However, all the stats show that on average, people who get higher education qualifications earn more than those who don’t. The more advanced the qualification is, generally the higher the salary, but this still means that a DipHE will most likely increase your earning potential.

And earning more money isn’t the only financial perk — many employers are keen on encouraging Continuing Professional Development (CPD), so this means that your employer may even be willing to help fund your DipHE, if it will help you develop specialist skills that you need for your job.

Why choose a diploma of higher education?

Have we convinced you to go after a diploma of higher education yet? Let’s summarise the benefits and perks that come with this qualification, so you can be sure of yourself before taking the leap and applying for one.

  • Get a university qualification in just 1-2 years
  • Bypass university degree entry requirements
  • Test out your chosen subject
  • Increase your earning potential
  • Study flexibly
  • Open doors to a degree 
  • Broaden your career opportunities.

Get an online diploma of higher education with FutureLearn

If you’re looking to expand your mind (and your future career opportunities) from the comfort and ease of home, an online DipHE could be the perfect choice. Studying online makes it significantly easier to balance all of your life commitments and work towards your ideal career without putting everything else on pause. 

Take a look at our online Level 5 DipHE Health and Care Management with Arden University if you’re interested in gaining healthcare management skills. You’ll develop vital health and care skills and leadership expertise, so you can learn to tackle the most pressing issues in healthcare.

We also have a wide range of online degrees by globally renowned universities, if you’re thinking about your next steps already.

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