What is a top-up degree?
A top-up degree is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time degree programme equivalent to the final year of an honours degree, allowing you to build on your previous qualifications. NCC Education offer two distance learning top-ups degrees in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
These two top-ups in BSc (Hons) Business Computing and Information Systems and BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Networking are delivered online by NCC Education and validated and awarded by UCLan.
Is a top up degree right for me?
A top-up degree programme may be the right option for you if you have an existing Level 4 Diploma in Computing and Level 5 Diploma in Computing, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security or Networking, Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Advanced or Higher Diploma, or Foundation, Associate or Non-honours degree and are looking to expand your current subject knowledge, improve your employability or further study prospects.
If you don’t yet hold the relevant qualifications, you can contact NCC Education’s many accredited partner centres to find out more about taking our Level 4 and 5 Diplomas in Computing, Computing (with Business Management) and Computing (with Cyber Security) to become top-up ready: https://www.nccedu.com/study-centres/.
How will I be assessed?
Each unit is assessed through one coursework assignment and one time controlled assessment (TCA), with the exception of the Information Systems Projects unit which is assessed through three projects – an initial proposal, an interim report and a final project.
What support is available to me with this online top-up?
Units comprise of weekly video lectures, tutorial exercises, discussion forums and live chat sessions with subject experts. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with other students from around the world and utilise resources from the UCLan online library.
Is this an established course?
Launched in 2013, NCC Education has been delivering the BSc (Hons) Business Computing and Information Systems in partnership with UCLan for almost a decade.
A new top-up programme in BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Networking was added in 2022, expanding our offering into an important area of Computing whilst ensuring the same trusted quality of the Business Computing and Information Systems course.
What can I do after a top-up degree?
After completing a top-up degree you will graduate with a full UK honours degree. Many NCC Education students and graduates tell us that having a full UK honours degree has allowed them to progress further in their career or helped them to achieve a promotion in their current role!
Some graduates also go on to further study after completing a top-up degree, with a postgraduate/master’s qualification specialising further in their chosen industry.
