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The standard first degree in England, Northern Ireland and Wales is the bachelors degree conferred with honours. It usually takes three years.
The honours are usually categorised into four classes:
First class honours (1st)
Second class honours, divided into:
Upper division, or upper second (2:1)
Lower division, or lower second (2:2)
Third class honours (3rd)
Graduands who have not achieved the standard for the award of honours may be admitted without honours to the degree of bachelor; this is popularly referred to as an 'ordinary degree' or 'pass degree'.
The Graduateship (post-nominal GCGI) of the City & Guilds of London Institute is mapped to the standard required to be admitted to a British honours degree.
The 'Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Engineering' awarded by the Engineering Council via the City & Guilds of London Institute is mapped at the same level as that required to become a Bachelor of Engineering at a British university.
Some universities admit graduands to Master's degrees as a first degree following an integrated programme of study. These degrees are usually designated by the subject, such as Master o Engineering for engineering, Master of Physics for physics, Master of Mathematics for mathematics, and so on; it usually takes four years to read for them. Graduation to these degrees is always with honours, see above for the classes of honours. Master of Engineering in particular has now become the standard first degree in engineering at the top UK universities, replacing the older Bachelor of Engineering.
The 'Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering' awarded by the Engineering Council via the City & Guilds of London Institute, is mapped at the same level as that required to become a Bachelor of Engineering at a British university.
Unlike the case in the United States, due to earlier specialisation, to read for a master's degrees may take only one year of full-time study, and the usual amount of time spent working towards a Ph.D. is three years full-time.

A foundation degree can be awarded for having completed two years of study in what is usually a vocational discipline. The foundation degree is comparable to an associate's degree in the United States, and can be awarded by a university, or college of higher education.