What Level Is a HE Diploma?
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a Level 5 qualification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is a higher education qualification that normally carries 240 credits. It sits above a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) at Level 4 and below a bachelor’s degree at Level 6.
A DipHE is often completed over two years of full-time study. However, this does not mean that it is automatically the same as completing the first two years of every bachelor’s degree.
It is also important not to confuse a Diploma of Higher Education with a general Level 5 Diploma. They may sit at the same qualification level, but they are not necessarily the same type of qualification.
What Is a Diploma of Higher Education?
A Diploma of Higher Education, usually shortened to DipHE, is an undergraduate higher education qualification.
It may be awarded:
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as a qualification in its own right;
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after completing a DipHE programme;
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or, in some cases, after completing enough study within a longer degree programme.
A DipHE normally represents 240 credits of higher education study.
It can be available in subjects such as:
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Business;
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Health;
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Computing;
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Social Sciences;
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Education;
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Humanities;
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other academic or professional areas.
The exact content depends on the university or awarding institution.
What Level Is a DipHE?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a DipHE is at:
Level 5
This places it at the same qualification level as:
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a foundation degree;
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a Higher National Diploma (HND);
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some other Level 5 qualifications.
However, being at the same level does not make these qualifications identical.
A qualification level tells you how difficult or advanced the learning is.
It does not tell you:
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how long the course lasts;
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how many credits it contains;
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what subject is studied;
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how it is assessed;
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or whether another university will accept it for progression.
This distinction is important.
Level 5 tells you where the learning sits. It does not tell you exactly what the qualification is.
How Many Credits Is a DipHE?
A Diploma of Higher Education normally carries 240 credits.
In many UK higher education programmes:
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120 credits represent one full-time academic year;
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240 credits represent two full-time academic years;
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360 credits are commonly associated with a three-year bachelor’s degree with honours.
This is why a DipHE is often described as being similar in size to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
But credit volume and qualification type are not the same thing.
A DipHE remains a DipHE.
It does not become a bachelor’s degree simply because it has 240 credits.
Qualification Level and Credits: What Is the Difference?
These two terms are often confused.
Qualification level
The level describes the difficulty and complexity of the learning.
For example:
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Level 4 — CertHE
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Level 5 — DipHE
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Level 6 — bachelor’s degree
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Level 7 — master’s degree
Credits
Credits describe the amount of learning completed.
A simple way to remember the difference is:
Level = how advanced the learning is
Credits = how much learning has been completed
Both matter when comparing qualifications.
DipHE Compared with Other Qualifications
| Qualification | Level in England, Wales & Northern Ireland | Typical Credit Volume | Main Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) | Level 4 | 120 credits | Higher education qualification |
| Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) | Level 5 | 240 credits | Higher education qualification |
| Foundation Degree | Level 5 | Usually 240 credits | Separate higher education qualification |
| Higher National Diploma (HND) | Level 5 | Commonly 240 credits | Separate Level 5 qualification |
| Bachelor’s Degree with Honours | Level 6 | Usually 360 credits | Full undergraduate degree |
The most important point is:
Qualifications can be at the same level without being the same qualification.
Is a DipHE Equivalent to Two Years of a Degree?
A DipHE normally represents 240 credits, which is similar to the amount of study completed during the first two years of many three-year bachelor’s degrees.
That is why people often describe it as being similar to two years of undergraduate study.
However, this should not be taken to mean:
DipHE = first two years of every degree
or:
DipHE = automatic entry into Year 3.
Different degree programmes contain different modules and learning outcomes.
A university considering a DipHE for advanced entry may look at:
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the subject studied;
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modules completed;
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credits achieved;
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grades;
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how closely the previous study matches its own programme.
The receiving university makes the final decision.
Can a DipHE Get You into the Final Year of a Degree?
Possibly, but not automatically.
Some universities may accept a DipHE for advanced entry to a bachelor’s programme.
Others may:
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offer entry to an earlier stage;
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ask for additional study;
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not accept the qualification for that particular degree.
This depends on the institution and programme.
If your plan is to complete a DipHE and later move into the final year of a bachelor’s degree, check the progression route before enrolling.
Do not rely only on the fact that both programmes contain Level 5 study.
Is a DipHE the Same as a Level 5 Diploma?
No.
This is one of the most important differences to understand.
A Diploma of Higher Education is a specific higher education qualification.
A qualification called a Level 5 Diploma may also sit at Level 5, but it can have:
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a different awarding organisation;
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a different credit or TQT structure;
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a different purpose;
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different assessment;
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different progression arrangements.
For example, both of these can sit at Level 5:
Diploma of Higher Education
and
Level 5 Diploma in Business Management
But they should not automatically be described as the same qualification.
The level may be shared. The qualification is not.
Always check the full name.
Is a DipHE the Same as an HND?
No.
A DipHE and an HND are both placed at Level 5 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but they are separate qualifications.
A DipHE is commonly connected with university or higher education study.
An HND has traditionally had a stronger vocational and occupational focus.
That said, individual programmes vary.
It is better to compare:
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course content;
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credits;
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assessment;
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awarding body;
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entry requirements;
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progression routes
than to assume one is more academic or practical simply from its title.
Is a DipHE the Same as a Foundation Degree?
No.
A DipHE and a foundation degree can both sit at Level 5 and normally carry 240 credits, but they are different qualifications.
Foundation degrees are often designed with a strong link between academic study and employment.
DipHE programmes can have different aims depending on the subject and institution.
If you are deciding between them, compare the actual course rather than only the level.
DipHE vs Access to HE Diploma
These two qualifications have similar names but very different purposes.
| Diploma of Higher Education | Access to Higher Education Diploma | |
|---|---|---|
| Short name | DipHE | Access to HE Diploma |
| Level | Level 5 | Level 3 |
| Main purpose | Higher education qualification | Preparation for higher education |
| Typical position | Undergraduate study | Before university |
| Typical learner | Someone already studying at HE level | Often someone preparing to enter HE |
An Access to Higher Education Diploma is Level 3.
A Diploma of Higher Education is Level 5.
The word “Higher Education” appears in both names, but they are not the same qualification.
Always use the full qualification name when comparing them.
What Level Is a DipHE in Scotland?
Scotland uses a different qualification framework.
A Diploma of Higher Education is normally placed at SCQF Level 8 in Scotland.
This does not mean that a Scottish DipHE is academically three levels higher than a Level 5 DipHE in England.
The numbers belong to different frameworks.
So:
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England, Wales and Northern Ireland — DipHE at Level 5
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Scotland — DipHE at SCQF Level 8
This is why qualification levels should always be read within the correct national framework.
Is a DipHE a Degree?
No.
A Diploma of Higher Education is a recognised higher education qualification, but it is not a bachelor’s degree.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
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DipHE — Level 5
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Bachelor’s degree — Level 6
A DipHE can still be useful for further study or employment, but it should be described by its proper name.
If you hold a DipHE, do not describe it as a bachelor’s degree on a CV or application.
What Can You Do After a DipHE?
A DipHE may lead to several possible next steps.
These depend on the subject and the requirements of the organisation you are applying to.
Further undergraduate study
Some people continue towards a bachelor’s degree.
Advanced entry may be available where the university accepts the previous study.
Employment
A DipHE may be useful for jobs where higher education knowledge is valued.
The value will depend on:
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the subject;
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job requirements;
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employer expectations;
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professional requirements.
Further professional study
Some people use a DipHE as part of a longer education route.
The right next step depends on what the qualification was designed to support.
Is a DipHE Worth It?
It can be, if it fits what you want to do next.
A DipHE may suit someone who:
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wants a recognised higher education qualification;
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wants to study for around two years full time rather than begin with a full bachelor’s degree;
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may later continue to further undergraduate study;
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wants higher-level knowledge in a particular subject.
It may be less useful if:
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your intended career specifically requires a bachelor’s degree;
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the university you want to attend will not accept it for progression;
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the course does not match your subject or career plans.
The value of a qualification is easier to judge when the destination is clear.
Who Awards a Diploma of Higher Education?
A DipHE is a higher education qualification awarded through an appropriate higher education institution or degree-awarding body.
Before enrolling, check:
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the full qualification title;
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who awards it;
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who teaches the programme;
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how many credits it contains;
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how it is assessed;
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whether there is a clear progression route.
Do not assume that any course using the words higher education diploma is automatically a recognised DipHE.
The formal title and awarding arrangement matter.
How Should You Check a DipHE Before Enrolling?
Before choosing a course, ask these questions.
What is the exact qualification name?
Make sure it says Diploma of Higher Education if that is what you are looking for.
Who awards it?
Check the awarding institution.
How many credits does it carry?
A DipHE normally carries 240 credits.
What subject will you study?
The subject matters for employment and progression.
What are the entry requirements?
Make sure you meet them before applying.
How is the course assessed?
Check whether it uses:
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assignments;
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examinations;
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projects;
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practical work;
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other assessment methods.
What can you do afterwards?
If progression is important, check the next step with the receiving university or employer.
Do this before enrolling, not after completing the qualification.
How Are Inspire College of Learning Level 5 Diplomas Different from a DipHE?
Inspire College of Learning offers professional qualifications at different levels, including selected Level 5 Diplomas.
A Level 5 professional Diploma should not automatically be described as a Diploma of Higher Education.
They may share Level 5, but they can be different qualification types with different:
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awarding organisations;
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sizes;
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credits or TQT;
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learning outcomes;
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assessment methods;
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progression routes.
When looking at an Inspire programme, check the exact qualification title on the individual course page.
If university progression is your aim, confirm whether the university you plan to attend accepts the qualification.
A shared level is useful information.
It is not a promise of identical progression.
How to Choose the Right Level 5 Qualification
Do not choose a qualification simply because it says Level 5.
Start with what you need it for.
If university progression is your goal, check:
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which university;
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which degree;
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what entry point you want;
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which qualifications the university accepts.
If employment is your goal, check:
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common job requirements;
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relevant professional standards;
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whether employers value the qualification;
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what practical skills you will also need.
Then compare the course itself.
A qualification should fit the next step, rather than leaving you to discover the next step after you finish it.
So, What Level Is a HE Diploma?
If by HE Diploma you mean a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), the answer is:
Level 5 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It normally carries 240 credits and sits:
-
above a CertHE at Level 4;
-
below a bachelor’s degree at Level 6;
-
at the same level as foundation degrees and HNDs.
In Scotland, a DipHE is normally placed at SCQF Level 8.
A DipHE should not be confused with:
-
an Access to HE Diploma, which is Level 3;
-
a generic Level 5 Diploma;
-
an HND;
-
a foundation degree;
-
a bachelor’s degree.
They may share parts of the same framework, but they remain different qualifications.
The simplest rule is to check three things:
the full qualification name, its level and who awards it.
Those details tell you far more than the word Diploma on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What level is a Diploma of Higher Education?
A Diploma of Higher Education is Level 5 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Q2. Is a DipHE a Level 5 qualification?
Yes. A DipHE is a recognised Level 5 higher education qualification.
Q3. How many credits is a DipHE?
A DipHE normally carries 240 credits.
Q4. Is a DipHE equivalent to two years of a degree?
A DipHE normally carries the same amount of credit as two full-time years of many bachelor’s programmes. However, it does not automatically mean you have completed Years 1 and 2 of every degree.
Q5. Is a DipHE the same as a Level 5 Diploma?
No. They can both be at Level 5, but they are different qualification types.
Q6. Is a DipHE the same as an HND?
No. Both can sit at Level 5, but they are separate qualifications with different structures and purposes.
Q7. Is a DipHE the same as a foundation degree?
No. They can both be Level 5 and usually carry 240 credits, but they are different qualifications.
Q8. Can a DipHE get me into the final year of a degree?
Possibly. Some universities may offer advanced entry, but it depends on the subject, credits, modules and the receiving university’s rules.
Q9. Is an Access to HE Diploma Level 5?
No. An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a Level 3 qualification. A Diploma of Higher Education is Level 5.
Q10. What level is a DipHE in Scotland?
A Diploma of Higher Education is normally placed at SCQF Level 8 in Scotland.
Q11. Is a DipHE a bachelor’s degree?
No. A DipHE is Level 5, while a bachelor’s degree is normally Level 6 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Q12. Who awards a Diploma of Higher Education?
A DipHE is awarded through an appropriate higher education institution or degree-awarding body. Always check the exact awarding arrangement before enrolling.
