Find your path

Earn a UK diploma, one level at a time.

Online UK diplomas from Level 3 to Level 7. Start at the level that fits you, and keep a route open to a degree at a UK partner university.

Apply now What the levels mean
$2,500 to $4,000Per level, depending on the level.
1 year of accessPer level. Fully online, at your pace.
Five levels, one pathPick a level
L3 L4 L5 L6 L7

Five levels, in plain words.

In the UK, a level shows how advanced the study is, not what you study. You don't pick your level: our admissions team confirms it when you apply.

Level 3: Foundation Year

The stage before university-level study.

What it is

Builds the study skills, writing and basic knowledge you need before university-level work.

Who can start

  • Secondary school completed (Grade 12 or equivalent)
  • Usually 16 or older
  • Enough English to follow the material and write assignments
Leads toLevel 4 $2,500 per level See Level 3 programmes

Level 4: Bachelor's year 1 level

Studied at the same academic level as a Bachelor's first year.

What it is

You start building the core knowledge of your field.

Who can start

  • A Level 3 qualification
  • or
  • Secondary school plus work experience
  • Usually 18 or older
  • Enough English for study and written assignments
Leads toLevel 5 $3,000 per level See Level 4 programmes

Level 5: Bachelor's year 2 level

Studied at the same academic level as a Bachelor's second year.

What it is

You go deeper into your field. After this level, you choose how to go on.

Who can start

  • A completed Level 4 qualification
  • Usually 18 or older
  • Enough English for study and written assignments
Leads toLevel 6 with GEA (Business Management only), or a top-up year at a UK partner university $3,000 per level See Level 5 programmes

Level 6: Bachelor's final year level

Studied at the same academic level as a Bachelor's final year, not a Bachelor's degree itself.

What it is

The last undergraduate level, fully online with GEA. GEA offers it in Business Management only.

Who can start

  • Level 4 and Level 5
  • or
  • 5+ years of managerial experience
  • Usually 21 or older
  • Enough English for study and written assignments
Leads toLevel 7, if you meet its entry rules $3,500 per level See Level 6 programmes

Level 7: Master's level

Studied at the same academic level as a Master's, not a Master's degree itself.

What it is

Advanced, specialized study for experienced professionals.

Who can start

  • A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent diploma
  • Plus around 7 years of managerial experience
  • Usually 21 or older
  • Enough English for study at postgraduate level
Leads toA Master's top-up (MBA, MA or MSc) at a UK partner university $4,000 per level See Level 7 programmes

Two ways to go on after Level 5

Our admissions team confirms which options are open to you before you enroll.

Option A · Online with GEA

Level 6: Bachelor's final year level

Studied at the same academic level as a Bachelor's final year, not a Bachelor's degree itself. GEA offers Level 6 in Business Management only.

  • Level 4 and Level 5, or 5+ years of managerial experience
  • Usually 21 or older
  • Online, at your own pace
Option B · At a UK partner university

Bachelor's top-up degree

Use your Level 4 and Level 5 to join the final year of a Bachelor's at a UK partner university, and graduate with the university's own degree.

  • Level 4 and Level 5 completed
  • Online or on campus, depending on the university
  • The degree is awarded by the university

Level 4 and Level 5 cost $6,000 with GEA, studied from home. Then you can finish your Bachelor's with one year at one of the UK partner universities below.

UK partner universities.

A Bachelor's top-up after Level 5, or a Master's or MBA top-up after Level 7.

24 universities in the UK

  • Anglia Ruskin UniversityBachelor's and Master's top-up
  • University College BirminghamBachelor's top-up
  • University of BoltonBachelor's top-up
  • Bournemouth UniversityBachelor's top-up
  • BPP UniversityBachelor's top-up
  • Buckinghamshire New UniversityMaster's top-up
  • University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)Bachelor's and Master's top-up
  • University of ChichesterMaster's top-up
  • Coventry UniversityBachelor's top-upOnline option
  • University of CumbriaBachelor's top-up
  • University of DerbyBachelor's top-up
  • Edinburgh Napier UniversityBachelor's top-up
  • University of GloucestershireBachelor's and Master's top-up
  • University of HertfordshireBachelor's top-upOnline option
  • University of HuddersfieldBachelor's top-up
  • London Metropolitan UniversityBachelor's top-up
  • Middlesex UniversityBachelor's top-up
  • University of NorthamptonBachelor's and Master's top-up
  • Northumbria UniversityBachelor's top-up
  • University of Portsmouth, LondonBachelor's top-up
  • University of RoehamptonBachelor's top-up
  • University of StaffordshireBachelor's top-up
  • University of SunderlandBachelor's and Master's top-up
  • University of WolverhamptonMaster's top-up

Fees, entry rules and online or campus study vary by university. Business, finance and HR learners can also go to Westcliff University (US). Talk to our team

Every programme and the levels it runs at

Pick a programme, then the level that fits you. Each programme page has the modules and details.

Programme L3Foundation Year L4Bachelor's year 1 level L5Bachelor's year 2 level L6Bachelor's final year level L7Master's level
Business ManagementBusiness and managementBusiness Management, L3Business Management, L4Business Management, L5Business Management, L6Not offered at Level 7
Entrepreneurship and ManagementBusiness and managementNot offered at Level 3Entrepreneurship and Management, L4Entrepreneurship and Management, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
Strategic Management and LeadershipBusiness and managementNot offered at Level 3Not offered at Level 4Not offered at Level 5Not offered at Level 6Strategic Management and Leadership, L7
Accounting and FinanceAccounting and financeNot offered at Level 3Accounting and Finance, L4Accounting and Finance, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
IT and E-CommerceITNot offered at Level 3IT and E-Commerce, L4IT and E-Commerce, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
IT and NetworkingITNot offered at Level 3IT and Networking, L4IT and Networking, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
IT and Web DesignITNot offered at Level 3IT and Web Design, L4IT and Web Design, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
Information TechnologyITNot offered at Level 3Information Technology, L4Information Technology, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
Human Resource ManagementPeople and projectsNot offered at Level 3Not offered at Level 4Human Resource Management, L5Not offered at Level 6Human Resource Management, L7
Project ManagementPeople and projectsNot offered at Level 3Not offered at Level 4Not offered at Level 5Not offered at Level 6Project Management, L7
PsychologyPeople and projectsNot offered at Level 3Not offered at Level 4Not offered at Level 5Not offered at Level 6Psychology, L7
Health and Social CareHealth and hospitalityNot offered at Level 3Health and Social Care, L4Health and Social Care, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7
Hospitality and Tourism ManagementHealth and hospitalityNot offered at Level 3Hospitality and Tourism Management, L4Hospitality and Tourism Management, L5Not offered at Level 6Not offered at Level 7

Not sure of your level? Apply, and our admissions team confirms it before you enroll.

Four steps from applying to learning

  1. 01

    Apply online

    Tell us about your education, work and English, and the programme you want.

  2. 02

    Get your level confirmed

    Our admissions team reviews your application and confirms your level.

  3. 03

    Pay for the level

    One payment for the whole level, by card (Visa or Mastercard) or Whish Money.

  4. 04

    Start in your learning portal

    Your modules, materials and tutor are all in one place.

A regulated qualification built on real work

Regulated by Ofqual

Ofqual is the government regulator for qualifications in England. Regulated qualifications are held to its rules on standards and assessment.

If you need your diploma recognized by a specific employer, university or ministry, check with them. They decide.

Assessed on real work

Assignments, projects, case studies and short online tests, with no formal exams. Qualified assessors review your work and give you feedback.

Support from start to finish

Tutor guidance and academic mentoring, plus a place to study at GEA Innovation Centers.

Questions about UK Diplomas

The full list is on the FAQs page.

Still have a question?info@ge.academyTalk to our team
Is a Level 6 diploma a Bachelor's degree?
No. It's studied at the same academic level as a Bachelor's final year, but it's a diploma, not a degree. If you want a Bachelor's degree, the top-up route gets you one from a UK partner university.
Who can apply, and how is my level decided?
Anyone 16 or older can apply. Our admissions team looks at your education, work experience and English, then confirms the level that fits you.
What does the fee include?
Access to the GEA learning portal, all modules and materials, assessment of your assignments, and tutor support for the whole level.
How long does a level take?
1 year. You study fully online at your own pace, with access to everything for the whole year. Need more time for a valid reason? Talk to our team. We check whether we can give you more time and get back to you.
How am I assessed?
Through assignments, projects, case studies and short online tests, not formal exams. Qualified assessors review your work and give you feedback.
Can I go on to a Master's?
Yes, through Level 7. After it, a Master's top-up with a UK partner university adds one module and a thesis, and the university awards the Master's.

See all FAQs

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