<P> Higher Professional Diplomas (HPD) were a suite of awards at level 4 of the RQF for people who want to gain advanced technical skills and broader management knowledge . As of February 2017 most have been discontinued and while the Higher Professional Diploma in Sport and Recreation Management is still running, it is no longer open to new learners . </P> <P> The Master Professional Diploma (MPD) was a level 7 award suitable for those working at the higher levels in a relevant industry . It is no longer awarded . </P> <P> The City and Guilds Awards for Professional Recognition are accredited awards offered at levels 4 (academic first - year undergraduate or certificate of higher education level) to 7 (academic Master's degree or postgraduate certificate or diploma level) of the Regulated Qualifications Framework, corresponding to the Licentiateship (LCGI), Affiliateship (AfCGI), Graduateship (GCGI) and Membership (MCGI) of the Institute . </P> <P> According to City and Guilds, the characteristics of someone gaining a Professional Recognition Award are: </P>

Is a city and guilds equivalent to a degree