Current & prospective students - FAQs
What are CATS points?
CATS points for Undergraduate Study
The CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points system is recognised by many UK Higher Education institutions as a method of quantifying credit for a particular course. To attain an Undergraduate degree you would need to accumulate:
- 120 points at FHEQ Level 4 (equivalent to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree also known as 'Certificate')
- 120 points at FHEQ Level 5 (equivalent to the 2nd year of an undergraduate degree also known as 'Diploma')
- 120 points at FHEQ Level 6 (equivalent to the 3rd year of an undergraduate degree also known as 'Advanced Diploma')*
*Please note that some of the Department's Undergraduate Advanced Diplomas are worth 60 CATS point at FHEQ Level 6.
Therefore an Undergraduate Degree usually = Undergraduate Certificate + Undergraduate Diploma + Undergraduate Advanced Diploma (although it is a little more complicated in practice). The University of Oxford does not award part-time Undergraduate Degrees but individually the Department for Continuing Education's Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas mirror the level and experience of full time degree courses but cannot be combined into a degree at Oxford (with the exception of the Department's Foundation Certificates). Nevertheless, many students may be able to transfer their OUDCE credit to other University degree courses.
In general terms most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4, usually, but not always, consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually, but not always, consist of twenty 2-hour sessions at the same level. The basic CATS calculation is that for every 2 hours of tuition you are given you will engage in eight hours of private study.
All OUDCE accredited weekly classes are at FHEQ Level 4, which is the level equivalent to that of the first year of an undergraduate degree. External examiners moderate all OUDCE weekly classes.
The Department's Undergraduate Foundation Certificate in English Language and Literature and Undergraduate Foundation Certificate in History provide a structured learning path and may enable you to join the second year of an undergraduate degree. They are accredited with 120 CATS at FHEQ Level 4.
Some of the Department's certificate and diploma courses are accredited with 120 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 & 5. These give a more structured learning path and may enable you to join the 2nd year of an undergraduate degree.
For information about how CATS Points convert to US academic credits, please visit this page.
CATS points for Postgraduate Study
All postgraduate teaching, Postgraduate Certificate (60 CATS points), Diploma (120 CATS points) and Masters (180 CATS points) is at FHEQ Level 7. Where modules are available on a 'stand alone' basis for credits CATS points will be awarded proportionally. For detailed information on FHEQ levels, please visit this page.