<P> A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom . It is awarded after two years of full - time study at a university or other higher education institution and is rated as a Level 5 qualification on both the Regulated Qualifications Framework and the European Qualifications Framework . </P> <P> The Diploma certifies that a student has achieved a minimum standard for 2nd Year courses in science, liberal arts, and in the case of nursing, 3rd Year courses as well . If a student is undertaking a full Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Higher Education marks two - thirds of their undergraduate degree . Thus allowing the British Diploma to rank ahead of the American Associate of Arts (which in American parlance is a two - year undergraduate, or half of a BA / BS). That being said, American universities generally consider UK Diplomas equivalent to a college level Associate of Arts even though a British student typically holds more credit hours (and therefore more study time) in the arts, humanities and / or sciences . </P>

Eligible for diploma of higher education with merit