The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies lays down five levels of qualification with the title of degree: foundation (not in Scotland), ordinary and honours bachelor's (only separate levels in Scotland), master's and doctoral. These relate to specific outcome-based level descriptors and are tied to the Bologna Process.
For historical reasons some universities (the ancient universities of England and Scotland) do not fully adhere to the Framework (particularly with respect to the title of Master of Arts), and degrees in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine are titled as bachelor's degrees despite being at master's level.
The usage in the ancient universities is not consistent with the Framework or the Bologna Process. The ancient universities of England (Oxford and Cambridge) grant an MA degree that is not a substantive qualification but reflects the ancient practice of these universities of promoting BAs to MAs (and thus full membership of the University) a few years after graduating (see Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)). The ancient universities of Scotland award an undergraduate MA (see Scottish MA) instead of a BA.
The MAs from Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews are considered bachelor's level qualifications on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and first cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process, while the Oxbridge MAs are considered "not academic qualifications" (the actual qualification being the BA).
Conversely, some bachelor's degrees in the "higher faculties" at the older universities in the UK (e.g. those other than arts at Oxford and Cambridge) are postgraduate qualifications (e.g. the BCL and BMus at Oxford). Many have been changed to the corresponding master's degree (e.g. BSc is now MSc at Oxford), but only within the last generation. The BD remains a higher degree at some universities (e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews and, until recently, Durham) but is an undergraduate degree at most (e.g. London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow).
Bachelor's degrees in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, while undergraduate degrees, are longer courses and are considered to be master's level qualifications in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and second cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process.
There is an international (but not universal) custom that certain degrees will be designated '.... of Philosophy'. Examples are the BPhil (Bachelor of Philosophy), MPhil (Master of Philosophy) and PhD or DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy). Most recipients of such degrees have not engaged in a specialised study of academic philosophy - the degree is available for almost the whole range of disciplines. The origins lie in the ancient practice of regarding all areas of study as elements of 'philosophy' with its Greek meaning, 'friend of wisdom'. Thus holders of an MPhil degree may have earned it in any academic discipline.
These qualifications sit at level 5 (foundation level) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are short cycle (within or linked to the first cycle) qualifications under the Bologna Process.
See also Foundation degree.
FdA - Foundation of Arts
FdEng - Foundation of Engineering
FdSc - Foundation of Sciences
These qualifications sit at level 6 (bachelor's level) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are first cycle (end of cycle) qualifications under the Bologna Process.
Most British bachelor's degrees are honours degrees, sometimes indicated by putting "(Hons)" after the degree abbreviation. A student achieving a pass grade, below honours standard, may be awarded an "ordinary degree" or a "pass degree" and may not add "(Hons)".
As noted above, the MAs of the ancient universities of Scotland are also at this level and may also add '(Hons)'. Both these and bachelor's degrees with honours at Scottish universities are four-year courses at level 10 of the Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutes in Scotland. Scottish bachelor's degrees without honours (including non-honours MAs from the ancient universities of Scotland) are three-year course with less specialisation (an Ordinary Degree or a General Degree) at level 9 of the Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutes in Scotland.
Some of the following are postgraduate degrees in a few universities, but generally bachelors are undergraduate degrees.
AgrB - Bachelor of Agriculture
BA - Bachelor of Arts
BA(Admin) - Bachelor of Arts in Administration
BAcc - Bachelor of Accounting
BACom - Bachelor of Arts in Commerce
BAdmin - Bachelor of Administration
BAE - Bachelor of Arts and Economics
BAEcon - Bachelor of Arts in Economics
BA(Ed) - Bachelor of Arts in Education
BA(FS) - Bachelor of Arts in Financial Studies
BAgr - Bachelor of Agriculture
BAH - Bachelor of Animal Health
BAI - Bachelor of Engineering (Arte Ingeniaria)
BAI(Elect) - Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
BAI(Mech) - Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
BALaw - Bachelor of Arts on Law
BAO - Bachelor of Obstetrics (Arte Obstetricia)
BAppSc - Bachelor of Applied Science
BArch - Bachelor of Architecture
BArchSc - Bachelor of Architectural Science
BARelSt - Bachelor of Arts on Religious Studies
BASc - Bachelor of Arts and Science
BASoc - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
BASS - Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences
BATheol - Bachelor of Arts on Theology
BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration
BBLS - Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies
BBS - Bachelor of Business Studies
BBus - Bachelor of Business
BChem - Bachelor of Chemistry
BCJ - Bachelor of Criminal Justice
BCL - Bachelor of Civil Law
BCLD(SocSc) - Bachelor of Community Learning and Development in Social Sciences
BClinSci - Bachelor of Clinical Science
BCom - Bachelor of Commerce
BCombSt - Bachelor of Combined Studies
BCommEdCommDev - Bachelor of Community Education and Community Development
BComp - Bachelor of Computing
BComSc - Bachelor of Commercial Science
BCoun - Bachelor of Counseling
BD - Bachelor of Divinity
BDes - Bachelor of Design
BE - Bachelor of Engineering
BEcon - Bachelor of Economics
BEcon&Fin - Bachelor of Economics and Finance
BEconSci - Bachelor of Science in Economics
BEd - Bachelor of Education
BEng - Bachelor of Engineering
BES - Bachelor of Engineering Studies
BEng(Tech) - Bachelor of Engineering in Technology
BFA - Bachelor of Fine Art
BFin - Bachelor of Finance
BFLS - Bachelor of Financial and Legal Studies
BFST - Bachelor of Food Science and Technology
BH - Bachelor of Humanities
BHealthSc - Bachelor of Health Sciences
BHSc - Bachelor of Health Science
BHy - Bachelor of Hygiene
Bachelor of International Business Administration
BJur - Bachelor of Jurisprudence
BL - Bachelor of Law
BLE - Bachelor of Land Economy
BLegSc - Bachelor of Legal Science
BLib - Bachelor of Librarianship
BLing - Bachelor of Linguistics
BLitt - Bachelor of Letters or Bachelor of Literature
BLittCelt - Bachelor of Celtic Letters
BLS - Bachelor of Library Studies
BMedSc - Bachelor of Medical Sciences or Bachelor of Biomedical science
BMet - Bachelor of Metallurgy
BMid - Bachelor of Midwifery
BMin - Bachelor of Ministry
BMS - Bachelor of Midwifery Studies
BMSc - Bachelor of Medical Science
BMSc - Bachelor of Biomedical science
BMS - Bachelor of Management Studies
BMus - Bachelor of Music
BMusEd - Bachelor of Music Education
BMusPerf - Bachelor of Music Performance
BN - Bachelor of Nursing
BNS - Bachelor of Nursing Studies
BNurs - Bachelor of Nursing
BOptom - Bachelor of Clinical Optometry
BPA - Bachelor of Public Administration
BPharm - Bachelor of Pharmacy
BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy
BPhil(Ed) - Bachelor of Philosophy in Education
BPhys - Bachelor of Physics
BPhysio - Bachelor of Physiotherapy
BPl - Bachelor of Planning
BRadiog - Bachelor of Radiography
BSc - Bachelor of Science
BScAgr - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
BSc(Dairy) - Bachelor of Science in Dairying
BSc(DomSc) - Bachelor of Science in Domestic Science
BScEc - Bachelor of Economic and Social Studies
BScEcon - Bachelor of Economic Science or Bachelor of Economic and Social Studies
BSc(Econ) - Bachelor of Science in Economics
BSc(Eng) - Bachelor of Science in Engineering
BScFor - Bachelor of Science in Forestry
BSc(HealthSc) - Bachelor of Science in Health Science
BSc(Hort) - Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
BSc(MCRM) - Bachelor of Science in Marine and Coastal Reserve Management
BSc(Med) - Bachelor of Science in Medicine
BSc(Mid) - Bachelor of SHRM-CP in Midwifery
BSc(Min) - Bachelor of Science in Mining
BScPH Bachelor of Science in Public Health
BSc(Psych) - Bachelor of Science in Psychology
BSc(Tech) - Bachelor of Science in Technology
BSD - Bachelor of Science in Dentistry
BSocSc - Bachelor of Social Sciences
BSS - Bachelor of Social Studies
BStSu - Bachelor of Deaf Studies
BTchg- Bachelor of Teaching
BTCP - Bachelor of Town and County Planning
BTech - Bachelor of Technology (not to be confused with BTEC)
BTechEd - Bachelor of Technological Education
BTh - Bachelor of Theology
BTheol - Bachelor of Theology
BTS - Bachelor of Theatre Studies
EdB - Bachelor of Education
LittB - Bachelor of Literature or Bachelor of Letters
LLB - Bachelor of Laws
MA - Master of Arts (ancient Scottish universities)
MusB - Bachelor of Music
ScBTech - Bachelor of Science in Technology
ThB - Bachelor of Theology
These qualifications sit at level 7 (master's level) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are second cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process.
Undergraduate "Integrated master's" degrees are offered with honours, and so may add (hons) after the degree abbreviation. These are substantive master's degrees at the same level as postgraduate master's.
Primary qualifications in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine are taken as undergraduate courses and denominated bachelor's degrees, but are normally offered without honours These are also qualifications at the same level as postgraduate master's degrees, but retain the name of bachelor's for historical reasons. The Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery are always taken together as the primary medical qualification in the UK, equivalent to the American MD.
Note that where there is a similarly titled postgraduate master's degree, the formulation " Master in ..." is used for the undergraduate degree and "Master of ..." for the postgraduate degree (e.g. MArt/MA, MSci/MSc). Where there is no equivalent postgraduate degree, either "in" or "of" is used.
BDS - Bachelor of Dental Surgery
BMBS - Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery
BMBCh - Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery
BVS - Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery
BVetM - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
BVetMed - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
BVM&S - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
BVMedSc or BVSc - Bachelor of Veterinary Medical Science
BVSc - Bachelor of Veterinary Science
MAcc - Master in Accountancy
MAnth - Master in Anthropology
MArt - Master in Arts
MBBS - Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery
MBChB - Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery
MBiochem - Master of Biochemistry
MBiol - Master of Biology
MBiolSci - Master of Biochemistry
MBus - Master in Business and Management
MChem - Master of Chemistry
MChemPhys - Master of Chemical Physics
MChiro - Master of Chiropractic
MComp - Master of Computer Science
MDiv - Master of Divinity
MDes - Master of Design
MDrama - Master of Drama
MEarthSci, MESci - Master of Earth Science
MEcon - Master of Economics
MEng - Master of Engineering
MEnvSc - Master of Environmental Science
MGeog - Master of Geography
MGeol - Master of Geology
MGeophys - Master of Geophysics
MSci (MGeoSci) - Master in Geoscience
MiF - Master in Finance
MiM - Master in Management
MInf - Master of Informatics
MMark - Matter in Marketing
MMath - Master of Mathematics
MMathComp - Master of Computational Mathematics
MMathCompSci - Master of Mathematics and Computer Science
MMathPhil - Matter of Mathematics and Philosophy
MMathPhys - Master of Mathematics and Physics, Master of Mathematical Physics
MMathStat - Master of Mathematics and Statistics
MMet - Master of Meteorology
MMORSE - Master of Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
MMS - Master of Management Studies [New Zealand, Australia and UK] Similar to an MBA
MNatSc - Master of Natural Science
MNursSc - Master of Nursing Science
MOcean - Master of Oceanography
MOptom - Master of Clinical Optometry
MPharm - Master of Pharmacy
MPhys - Master of Physics
MPhysPhil - Master of Physics and Philosophy
MPlan - Master of Planning
MSci - Master in Science (Master of Natural Sciences at Cambridge)
MStat - Master of Statistics
MTheol - Master of Theology
VetMB - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicineor BVSs
Postgraduate master's degrees may be either taught degrees or research degrees. Taught master's degrees may be awarded by an institution with taught degree awarding powers; master's degrees by research (e g MPhil, MRes), where over half of the student's effort is in original research, require research degree awarding powers. Postgraduate degrees are not normally honours degrees and thus do not add "(Hons)".
A few postgraduate degrees at Oxford are titled as bachelor's degrees. These are, nonetheless, master's level qualifications.
BCL - Bachelor of Civil Law (Oxford)
BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy (Oxford)
LLM - Master of Law
MA - Master of Arts
MArch - Master of Architecture
MASt - Master of Advanced Study
MBA - Master of Business Administration
MBM - Master of Business and Management
MBiolSc - Master of Biological Science
MCD - Master of Civic Design
MCh - Master of Surgery
MCL - Master of Corporate Law
MClinDent - Master of Clinical Dentistry
MDes - Master of Design
MEd - Master of Education
MFA - Master of Fine Art
MJur - Master of Jurisprudence (Law) (Magister Juris at Oxford)
MLib - Master of Librarianship
MLitt - Master of Letters
MMus - Master of Music
MOst - Master of Osteopathy
MPA - Master of Public Administration
MPH - Master of Public Health
MPhil - Master of Philosophy (under the Framework, the MPhil is "normally reserved" for longer master's courses with a significant research element, or for PhD candidates who do not reach sufficient level for the award of a doctorate
MPP - Matter of Public Policy
MPS - Master of Professional Studies
MProf - Matter of Professional Practice
MProfSt - Master of Professional Studies
MRes - Master of Research
MSc - Master of Science
MSocSc - Master of Social Science
MSSc - Master of Social Science
MSt - Master of Studies
MSW -Master of Social Work
MTL - Master of Teaching and Learning
MTh - Master of Theology
MTheol - Master of Theology
MUniv - Master of the University (the MUniv is only ever an honorary degree)
MusM - Master of Music
LLM - Master of Laws
UK Doctoral degrees are at level 8 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and are third cycle qualifications under the Bologna Process. All doctoral degrees include "original research or other advanced scholarship" demonstrating "the creation and interpretation of new knowledge".
Due to the flexibility of Latin word order, there are two schools in the abbreviation of doctor's degrees. The two ancient universities of England split on this: at Cambridge, D follows the faculty (e.g. PhD, LittD.), while at Oxford the D precedes the faculty (e.g. DPhil, DLitt). Most universities in the UK followed Oxford for the higher doctorates but followed international precedent in using PhD for Doctor of Philosophy and professional doctorates.
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications lays down the naming convention that Doctor of Philosophy is reserved for doctorates awarded on the basis of examination by thesis or publication, or by artefact, composition or performance accompanied by written academic commentary. Other doctorates (typically styled professional or specialist doctorates) that have substantial taught elements normally include the field in the name of the degree.
Higher doctorates are normally awarded as honorary degrees (honoris causa), but can also be awarded on the basis of a substantial body of published work. DUniv is only ever an honorary degree. Some degrees awarded as higher doctorates by one institution may be awarded as professional doctorates by another (e.g. EngD).
DBA - Doctor of Business Administration
DCounsPych - Doctor of Counselling Psychology
DClinPsych - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery
DEd - Doctor of Education
DEdChPsy - Doctor of Educational and Child Psychology
DEng - Doctor of Engineering
DForensPsy - Doctor of Forensic Psychology
DHealthPsy - Doctor of Health Psychology
DHSc - Doctor of Health Science
DHy - Doctor of Hygiene
DM - Doctor of Medicine (awarded by thesis at some universities; awarded as a higher doctorate at some universities)
DMus - Doctor of Music (awarded as a higher doctorate at some universities)
DMin - Doctor of Ministry
DNursSc - Doctor of Nursing Science
DProf - Doctor of Professional Studies
DPT - Doctor of Practical Theology
DThM - Doctor of Theology and Ministry
EdChPsychD - Doctor of Educational and Child Psychology
EdD - Doctor of Education
EngD - Doctor of Engineering
HScD - Doctor of Health Science
JD - Juris Doctor
MD - Doctor of Medicine (awarded by thesis at some universities; awarded as a higher doctorate at some universities)
MusD - Doctor of Music (awarded as a higher doctorate at some universities)
SocScD - Doctor of Social Science
ThD - Doctor of Theology
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
MD - Doctor of Medicine
MD(Res) - Doctor of Medicine (Research)
DD - Doctor of Divinity
DCL - Doctor of Civil Law
DLitt - Doctor of Letters
DLit - Doctor of Literature
DLit(Ed) - Sixto of Literature (Education)
DM - Doctor of Medicine
DMus - Doctor of Music
DSc - Doctor of Science
DSc(Econ) - Doctor of Science (Economics)
DSc(Eng) - Doctor of Science (Engineering)
DSc(Med) - Doctor of Science (Medicine)
DTech - Doctor of Technology
DUniv - Doctor of the University
EngD - Doctor of Engineering
LittD - Doctor of Letters
LLD - Doctor of Laws
ScD - Doctor of Science
