Postgraduate Microcredentials
What is a microcredential?
Postgraduate Microcredentials allow you to develop skills and continue your education, without committing to a full Masters programme.
- They are short, modular courses taught over a period of 8 - 12 weeks, with a formal assessment at the end of the teaching period.
- The courses can include content from modules that form part of existing Masters degree programmes or they can be independent modules with industry-specific skills.
- They can be offered as individual microcredentials, however, you will often attend lectures and seminars alongside full Masters students.
- You will gain an official University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ Postgraduate Microcredential Award and transcript of credits when you successfully complete the course.
Why study a microcredential?
Microcredentials vary in delivery, with some delivered online over the course of several weeks and others delivered over a few days or up to a week, all concluding with a formal assessment.
They offer an introduction to Masters level study and the opportunity to learn from expert academics and industry professionals. Students that successfully complete a microcredential can apply for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning to use towards a full Masters at the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡.
Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals and earn a University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ Postgraduate Microcredential Certificate to add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV.
How you will study
Microcredentials consist of a total study time between 100-150 hours, and offer flexibility to study around your existing commitments with several start dates throughout the year.
Delivered online or in-person, you will have access to our online learning platform, course materials, and required reading materials. Plus you'll have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes in Edgbaston and Dubai, including our library, careers network and wellbeing services.
Using your microcredential
Once you have completed your microcredential, you will gain an official University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ Postgraduate Microcredential Award and transcript of credits. You can use the microcredential to demonstrate professional development on your CV or use it towards further postgraduate study.
Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ our microcredentials
If you check out our course pages, there might be more microcredentials of interest that you could stack together and achieve a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.
Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL)
The Accreditation of Prior Learning, or APL, is a process by which this University (and many others) gives credit against learning achieved by an individual before entry to a programme of study at Birmingham.
Such prior learning may have been previously assessed and certificated by an education provider (for example, by another institution of Higher Education).
If you wish to make a claim for the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) please contact the admissions office by email apl@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Online Learning
We have a range of online Masters programmes with multiple entry points throughout the year. Online learning presents a more flexible learning alternative for working professionals around the world, allowing you to fit your learning around your other commitments.
Find out more
Our user-friendly online platform, combined with unparalleled academic support, allows you to truly take control of your learning. All of your learning materials for our online courses can be accessed in your own time, on the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡'s virtual learning environment (VLE).