About microcredentials

Build a University of London postgraduate qualification, one course at a time.

University of London microcredentials are short, postgraduate-level online courses that help you develop your expertise, earn academic credit and build towards a qualification that reflects your interests and career aspirations.

You can study one microcredential on its own, or 'stack' courses to build towards a recognised University of London postgraduate qualification – all the way up to a full Masters degree.

Each microcredential is worth 15 UK academic credits at postgraduate level (Level 7). You can start when you are ready, study online at your own pace and take your assessment when you feel prepared.

You don't need to wait for a new term to start or submit an application form, and you can start learning within ten minutes of reading this page.

Browse our microcredentials

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Why choose a University of London microcredential?

• No need to commit to a full Master's from day one. Try one course. If you enjoy it, keep going.
• Every course counts. Start your course at any time: browse, pay, register, start within ten minutes.
• Study fully online, wherever you are in the world.
• Learn at a pace that fits around your life and commitments.
• Take your assessment when you are ready.
• Earn 15 postgraduate credits for each course you successfully complete.
• Combine your credits to build towards a postgraduate qualification, or transfer credit into a conventional University of London degree programme.

Our microcredentials reflect the same high academic standards as our full degree courses and are developed with academic direction from members of the University of London federation.

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How studying a microcredential works

Once you have chosen your course, you can register and pay online. You will then receive access to the University of London's global digital campus, where you can find your course materials, track your progress and submit your assessment.

Your course will include a mix of learning materials, which may include videos, readings and interactive activities. You will also have access to digital study tools and support to help you progress through your course.

There are no formal examinations. To complete a microcredential, you will submit an online assessment designed to demonstrate that you have met the course learning outcomes.

You might typically spend around 10 weeks studying for approximately 15 hours each week, although you can choose a pace that works for you. You will have up to 12 months to complete your course and assessment.

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Build a qualification, one course at a time

Every microcredential is worth 15 postgraduate credits. When you successfully complete courses, you can accumulate — or "stack" — the credits you earn and use them to apply for a recognised University of London academic award.

• One course: 15 postgraduate credits
• Four courses: 60 credits — eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Certificate
• Eight courses: 120 credits — eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Diploma
• Twelve courses: 180 credits — eligible to apply for a Master's degree

You do not need to commit to a full qualification when you begin. You can start with one course and decide whether to continue studying as you build your knowledge and academic credit.

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Choose a pathway that reflects your interests

You can build your qualification by studying mainly within one subject, combining two subjects, or choosing courses from several different subject areas.

Specialise in one subject

Complete 75% or more of your credits in one subject to work towards an award named in that subject.

For example, completing 75% of your credits in Psychology could make you eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master's award in Psychology.

Combine two subjects

You can combine substantial amounts of study in two subjects.

For example:

• An equal balance of Psychology and Data Science could lead to an award in Psychology and Data Science.
• A majority of study in Psychology combined with a smaller amount of Data Science could lead to an award in Psychology with Data Science.

Create an interdisciplinary pathway

If your courses span three or more subject areas, and no single subject amounts to 75% or more of your credits, you may be eligible for an award in Interdisciplinary Studies.

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How the title of your award is determined

The title of your award will depend on the number of credits you have earned and the balance of subjects you have studied.

The following tables summarise the possible award titles at each level. All named awards are subject to approval by the Board of Examiners.

Postgraduate Certificate

To apply for a Postgraduate Certificate, you must have successfully completed 60 credits, equivalent to four microcredentials.

Courses completed	Possible award
All four courses in subject A	Postgraduate Certificate in A
Three courses in subject A and one course in subject B	Postgraduate Certificate in A, or Postgraduate Certificate in A with B
Two courses in subject A and two courses in subject B	Postgraduate Certificate in A and B
Courses across three or more subjects	Postgraduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies

Postgraduate Diploma

To apply for a Postgraduate Diploma, you must have successfully completed 120 credits, equivalent to eight microcredentials.

Balance of credits	Possible award
90 or more of the 120 credits in subject A	Postgraduate Diploma in A
90 credits in subject A and 30 credits in subject B	Postgraduate Diploma in A, or Postgraduate Diploma in A with B
Between 75 and 90 credits in subject A, with the remainder in subject B	Postgraduate Diploma in A with B
60 credits in subject A and 60 credits in subject B	Postgraduate Diploma in A and B
Courses across three or more subjects, with fewer than 90 credits in any one subject	Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies

Master's degree

To apply for a Master's degree, you must have successfully completed 180 credits, equivalent to twelve microcredentials.

Balance of credits	Possible award
135 or more of the 180 credits in subject A	Master's degree in A
135 credits in subject A and 45 credits in subject B	Master's degree in A, or Master's degree in A with B
Between 105 and 135 credits in subject A, with the remainder in subject B	Master's degree in A with B
90 credits in subject A and 90 credits in subject B	Master's degree in A and B
Courses across three or more subjects, with no subject accounting for more than 135 credits	Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

If the majority of your study is in a science discipline, your Master's award will usually be a Master of Science (MSc). If the majority of your study is in arts and humanities, it will usually be a Master of Arts (MA).

Approval of award titles

All academic awards and their titles are granted by consideration of the Board of Examiners, and the Board may adjust the title of an award at its discretion.

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Continue from one award to the next

Receiving an academic award does not prevent you from continuing your studies. You can keep completing microcredentials, accumulating credit and progressing towards a higher award.

For example:

1. You complete four microcredentials and use your 60 credits to gain a Postgraduate Certificate.
2. You continue studying and earn another 60 credits, giving you a total of 120 credits.
3. You can then apply to use those credits towards a Postgraduate Diploma.

You cannot use the same credits to hold two separate awards. If your application for the higher award is successful, you will give up — or "relinquish" — the lower award and receive the higher award in its place.

This means you can continue your academic journey without having to start again each time you reach a new award level.

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How to apply for an award

When you have earned enough credit, you can apply for an academic award through your University of London lifelong learning account.

1. Log in at your.london.ac.uk.
2. Go to My learning.
3. Scroll down to My awards.
4. If you have enough credit for an award, you will see a notification.
5. Select Explore awards, or open the AI chat and ask the Lifelong Learning Agent which awards you may be eligible for.
6. Choose the award you want to apply for and select the courses whose credits you want to use.
7. Select Apply.

Your application will initially be shown as under review. The Board of Examiners, which normally meets every 12 weeks, will consider your application and you will be notified of its decision.

If your application is successful, your award will appear under My awards. You will be able to access your award certificate and transcript.

You will also become a graduate of the University of London and will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony in London.

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Ready to start learning?

Explore our growing range of postgraduate microcredentials and choose the course that is right for you.

Browse microcredentials

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