Degrees are qualifications offered by universities.    A degree course normally involves

• an extended period of study (at least a year);
• study and subsequent knowledge of one subject in some detail;
• the acquisition of well-developed study skills.

However there are considerable variations between the types of degree.    Some degrees (eg Doctorates) also require the development of research skills.

In the UK, the different types of degree available include:

• Foundation Degrees
  
• First Degrees: normally BA or BSc
  
• Masters Degrees: MA (or occasionally MSc)
  
• Doctorates

The duration of a degree can depend on both on subject and on level.    Foundation degrees are typically one year;   First Degrees normally three years;   PhDs can take anything from two years up to seven and more.

More than other qualifications, degrees have a currency worldwide.

Employers and others expect that a degree will imply the same level of skill wherever that degree was obtained.

So considerable care is taken in developing a system for the recognition of degrees which works worldwide.

In the UK, the government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) defines which degrees are recognised, and which are not.

There are around 130 higher education institutions in the UK that are permitted to award degrees.

Degree awarding powers are given to 'recognised bodies' and granted by either a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament.

All well known UK universities and some higher education colleges are 'recognised bodies'.

Some organisations are able to call themselves universities and/or to offer degrees in the UK without official approval.    Such degrees are not recognised or legitimate UK degrees.    Some may be bogus;    others may be degrees which are recognised in another country (such as the USA) but not in the UK.

To confirm the status of the degree provider you can check if the Department of Education & Skills website lists it:

• www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees

The DfES states that:

'Foreign universities may offer degrees in the UK provided they make it clear that they are not UK degrees.    The UK authorities cannot advise on the quality of these courses.    It is up to you to check what recognition arrangements exist in the country of origin for any degree course you undertake in the UK.'

There is no worldwide system for ensuring the comparible quality between degrees across different nations, and the rules in countries like Liberia or Panama are likely to be less rigorous than those in the UK.

It is therefore advisable to find out the accreditation system in the country where the degree is offered.    In the USA, for example, start at:

• www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation

Many universities and colleges are developing a more flexible approach.    Offering degree courses through distance learning, as pioneered by The Open University, extends higher education to a wider selection of learners.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is an independent body ensuring the good quality of education being offered in higher education institutions.

UK universites rely on QAA accreditation to assure the quality of their distance learning courses, and do not seek ODL QC accreditation as well.    The QAA website is at:

• www.qaa.ac.uk

Providers of open & distance learning can offer degree courses through partnership with recognised degree awarding bodies such as universities.