Higher Education Qualifications
Belfast Met offers a selection of Higher Education (HE) courses that are closely aligned with industry demand and run in conjunction with top UK education providers.
Higher Education courses include Degrees, Foundation Degrees, HNDs, HNCs and Higher Level Apprenticeships.
Our Higher Education partners include Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and The Open University who we work in partnership with to deliver various Degree and Foundation Degree level courses. Students are enrolled at both the College & University and have all the main entitlements as other undergraduate students at the university.
Successful graduates have a choice of progression opportunities subject to meeting entry requirements and can apply to enter second or final year at University.
Foundation Degrees
Give you the technical skills and academic knowledge required to progress in the workplace whilst gaining a Higher Education qualification. They are designed and delivered through partnerships between employers and the College. Giving you the skills that employers are looking for. They have considerably lower fees than a University, and you will also be entitled to a student loan. An excellent steppingstone to progress onto a full degree programme, as they will help you gain entry into the second year of a related degree course.
Higher National Diplomas (HND)
Level 5 qualifications that are designed for you to help you specialise in a certain career or move on into either second or third year in university. As Level 5 qualifications (equivalent to a Foundation Degree) with the focus on ‘learning by doing’, these practical diplomas are highly valued by employers. It will offer you a more relaxed setting focusing on teaching you practical skills, and providing you with real-life work experience. And if in the future, you want to step on to a Degree, an HND is a great starting point.
Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA)
HLAs offer a new and exciting employed-pathway for learners to gain professionally recognised qualifications whilst actively working in paid employment with partner employers. Belfast Met proactively work with national, regional and local employers to develop partnerships to provide the level of mentoring and support to offer learners the opportunity to undertake a Higher Level Apprenticeship.
Higher Education Prospectus
Applications for Higher Education courses starting in September 2026 are now open. Explore our wide range of courses on offer by downloading our new Higher Education prospectus!
University Partnerships
Belfast Met offers a selection of Higher Education (HE) courses that are closely aligned with industry demand and run in conjunction with top UK education providers.
Our Higher Education partners include Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and The Open University who we work in partnership with to deliver various degree and Foundation Degree level courses. Students are enrolled at both the College & University and have all the main entitlements as other undergraduate students at the university.
Successful graduates have a choice of progression opportunities subject to meeting entry requirements and can apply to enter second or final year at University
All of our HE programmes face the same rigorous external checks and audits as a university programme as we are all assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency. But, as you’ll experience, Higher Education in the College is also fundamentally different – in a good way.
Take the first step towards an Ulster University degree by studying a Foundation Degree or other higher education qualification.
Study a Foundation Degree or other Higher Education qualification at at Belfast Met then progress to complete your degree at Queen’s University.
Study an Open University validated course at Belfast Met to progress to Higher opportunities.
Why Choose Belfast Met
From our wide range of courses to our world class facilities, our outstanding teaching by industry experts, our outstanding student support, less costs and less student debts, we can help you get the skills you need to get the career you want!
Here are the top 10 reasons why you should make Belfast Met your first choice!
National Student Survey 2025
Belfast Met ranked 2nd amongst Belfast Universities and colleges in terms of overall learner satisfaction. (National Student Survey 2025)
What is the NSS?
The National Student Survey (NSS) is an annual survey run by the Office for Students (OfS). The NSS gathers opinion from final-year students about their higher education experience.
