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Progress from a pathway diploma to a full bachelor's, master's or doctorate — studied 100% online. 60+ programmes across MBA, MSc, BSc, LLB, LLM and doctoral routes.
SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only. The top-up stage is delivered by the university or its approved delivery partner, and the degree is awarded by the university.
Whichever stage you are at, there is a route in. Each degree is awarded by the university named on your certificate; SBTL delivers the pathway diploma and supports you throughout.
Enter the final year of a bachelor's degree with a 240-credit Level 5 Extended Diploma from Qualifi or OTHM, or an EduQual SCQF Level 8 Diploma.
Progress to the dissertation stage of a master's with a 120-credit Level 7 Diploma from Qualifi, OTHM, CMI or EduQual SCQF Level 11.
Three doctoral routes awarded by GlobalNxt University, for which SBTL is the official Local Access Point, delivered entirely through Open and Distance Learning.
You do not need a previous degree to start. The pathway diploma builds the academic credit that lets you enter a university part-way through — so you study only what is left.
Complete a Level 5 Extended Diploma (240 credits) or a Level 7 Diploma (120 credits) with SBTL. Assessed by written assignment — no exams.
Your diploma credit is recognised by the university, giving you direct entry to the final stage of the degree.
The top-up stage — usually a dissertation or research project — is delivered by the university or its approved delivery partner. The university awards your degree.
Completion times vary by route and by university. Every degree can be studied 100% online, with unlimited tutor support and 24-hour access to the MyLearnDirect portal.
SBTL's role is the pathway diploma. The top-up stage is delivered by the university or its approved delivery partner, and the degree is awarded by the university — appearing on your certificate and transcript exactly as it would for any other student of that institution.
A UK public university founded in 1828, ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide and WES recognised, with students from over 100 countries.
The top-up stage is delivered by University of Central Lancashire or its approved delivery partner. The degree is awarded by University of Central Lancashire. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only.
View UCLan degrees
A UK public university with research rated world-leading in REF 2021, known for business, health and creative arts, with students from over 185 countries.
The top-up stage is delivered by Anglia Ruskin University or its approved delivery partner. The degree is awarded by Anglia Ruskin University. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only.
View ARU degrees
One of the UK's fastest-growing modern universities, with degree-awarding powers since 2015 and over 40,000 students across nine campuses worldwide.
The top-up stage is delivered by Arden University or its approved delivery partner. The degree is awarded by Arden University. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only.
View Arden degrees
Based in Dundee, Scotland and ranked Scotland's top modern university in the Guardian University Guide 2027, with a strong focus on employability and industry links.
The top-up stage is delivered by Abertay University or its approved delivery partner. The degree is awarded by Abertay University. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only.
View Abertay degrees
A UK university with a teaching history dating back to 1847 and campuses across Cheltenham and Gloucester, combining teaching, research and professional development.
The top-up stage is delivered by University of Gloucestershire or its approved delivery partner. The degree is awarded by University of Gloucestershire. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only.
View Gloucestershire degrees
A public university founded in 1827 with campuses across the West Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire, serving over 18,000 students across 380+ programmes.
The top-up stage is delivered by University of Wolverhampton or its approved delivery partner. The degree is awarded by University of Wolverhampton. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma only.
View Wolverhampton degrees
A future-focused university delivering flexible programmes through Open and Distance Learning, licensed by Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. SBTL is its official Local Access Point and Local Access Point Engagement Partner.
Programmes are delivered and awarded by GlobalNxt University. SBTL acts as its official Local Access Point and Local Access Point Engagement Partner, supporting you through application and study.
View GlobalNxt degreesDelivery and award. SBTL delivers the pathway diploma stage only. The top-up stage is delivered by the university or its approved delivery partner, and the degree is awarded by the university; SBTL neither delivers nor awards any degree. Access to UK university top-ups is arranged in partnership with Chestnut Education Group (CEG), and GlobalNxt programmes are offered in SBTL’s capacity as the official Local Access Point and Local Access Point Engagement Partner for GlobalNxt University. Each university sets its own entry requirements — our admissions team will confirm which routes are open to you before you enrol.
Delivered and awarded by GlobalNxt University through Open and Distance Learning — MQA accredited, WHED listed, and recognised by WES and IQAS for global credit transfer. SBTL is the university’s official Local Access Point and Local Access Point Engagement Partner.
A professional doctorate for senior practitioners applying advanced research to real organisational problems.
A research doctorate for those contributing original knowledge to management theory and practice.
A research doctorate for educators and education leaders investigating policy, practice and pedagogy.
From your first enquiry to your graduation, you study with a centre built around learner support.
The top-up stage is delivered by the university or its approved delivery partner, and the degree is awarded by the university — shown on your certificate and transcript in full.
Spread your fees across the length of your course at 0% interest, with no hidden charges.
Unlimited one-to-one sessions and written feedback on every assignment, included in your fee.
Teaching, assessment and learner support all run to a certified quality management standard.
24-hour access to the MyLearnDirect portal, with no requirement to attend campus.
Monthly diploma intakes and up to four top-up intakes a year — January, April, July and October.
Rated Excellent by our learners on Trustpilot — genuine, independently verified reviews.
A top-up degree is the final stage of a full degree. You complete a recognised pathway diploma first — a Level 5 Extended Diploma for an undergraduate degree, or a Level 7 Diploma for a master's — then transfer that credit into a university and study only the remaining stage. You graduate with the same degree as a student who studied the whole course at that university.
For a master's, the top-up stage alone takes about 6 to 8 months; studied together with the pathway diploma, the full route typically takes 14 to 18 months. For a bachelor's, the top-up stage alone takes about 10 to 12 months, and the full route including the pathway diploma averages 24 to 30 months.
Not necessarily. The pathway diploma route is designed for experienced managers without a bachelor's degree. You complete an OTHM, Qualifi or CMI Level 7 diploma first, which provides the academic credit needed to progress to the MBA top-up stage.
Yes. The top-up stage is delivered by the university or its approved delivery partner, and the degree is awarded by the university — SBTL neither delivers nor awards it. Your certificate and transcript show the university's award exactly as they would for any other student of that institution. Several of our universities are also WES recognised, which supports credit transfer and graduate mobility internationally.
Yes. Every route on this page can be studied fully online. During the pathway diploma stage you have 24-hour access to the MyLearnDirect portal, unlimited tutor support and online personal tutor meetings whenever you need them. The top-up stage is delivered online by the university or its approved delivery partner.
We offer three doctorate programmes through GlobalNxt University, all delivered by Open and Distance Learning: the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), the Doctor of Philosophy in Management, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education. SBTL is the official Local Access Point and Local Access Point Engagement Partner for GlobalNxt University.
Filter 60+ online degree programmes by level, subject and awarding university — and see which pathway diploma gets you there.
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