What if you could turn your existing qualification into a fully accredited British Bachelor’s (Honours) degree in just one year? CESINE, an authorised branch campus of London Metropolitan University based in the coastal city of Santander, Spain, offers Top-Up degrees that can do just that.
How does a Top-Up degree work?
A Top-Up degree allows you to complete the final year of a bachelor’s degree by building on your previous studies. At CESINE, the programmes cover 60 ECTS credits at Level 6, the final stage of an honours degree. To qualify, you’ll need to have completed at least two years of higher education, equivalent to 120 ECTS credits, or hold an eligible vocational qualification. CESINE will assess your previous qualifications to determine whether you meet the entry requirements.
If you meet the requirements, you can choose from six subject areas: Advertising, Marketing, Communication and Public Relations; Digital Media; International Business Management; Fashion Marketing and Management; Hospitality and Travel Management; and Sports Management. Each programme allows you to build on your existing knowledge while developing skills relevant to your chosen field.
For Moritz Rademacher, this pathway offered a way to complete his bachelor’s degree without having to start from scratch. He had spent three years studying Event and Media Management at an academy in Hannover, Germany, but his institution did not offer a bachelor’s degree. Through its partnership with CESINE, he could continue his studies in Santander and graduated with a degree in Marketing, Advertising Communications and Public Relations in June 2025.
“It was my dream to live in Spain for at least a year for a long time,” he says. “When my university back in Hannover offered us the chance to join the Top-Up programme in Santander, I gladly took that chance.”
Rademacher’s experience shows how a Top-Up degree can help you turn your previous studies into a recognised academic qualification across Europe. Upon successful completion of the programme, you’ll receive a BA (Hons) awarded by London Metropolitan University.
Moritz Rademacher, pictured left. Source: Moritz Rademacher
Put your learning into practice
CESINE’s Top-Up programmes are designed to connect academic learning with the workplace. You’ll learn from industry professionals who bring practical experience into the classroom, helping you understand how your knowledge applies to real business challenges. Depending on your programme, you may undertake industry internships in Spain or abroad while building connections with lecturers and students.
Practical assignments were an important part of Rademacher’s learning experience. In one project, his group developed a social media plan for eyewear brand Hawkers, researching the company and tailoring their recommendations to the business.
Presentations were another valuable part of the experience. Students often had to summarise their findings and communicate key messages within a short timeframe. Although he found this challenging at first, Rademacher came to appreciate how it improved his ability to explain complex information clearly.
Mortiz Rademacher, pictured fourth from the left, at CESINE. Source: Mortiz Rademacher
Feedback from his lecturers, industry professionals themselves, helped him identify areas for improvement. “They gave me immediate feedback on my presentation skills, highlighting specific areas for improvement, such as shortening bullet points and speaking more slowly,” he says. “Getting their opinions made me feel more confident for the next presentations.”
The year was demanding, particularly when several assignment deadlines overlapped. To manage his workload, Rademacher kept a list of tasks and due dates and worked on assignments before his afternoon classes. Through these projects and presentations, he gained practical experience and became more confident in his abilities. Upon completing the programme, he felt ready to progress to a master’s degree and is currently studying for one in Spain.
Experience student life in Santander
Beyond the classroom, studying at CESINE gives you the chance to experience life in Santander, a coastal city in northern Spain. Ranked as the second most desirable city in Europe for Erasmus students, it offers a mix of safety, affordability, and cultural diversity. With more than 13 beaches nearby, local cuisine, and plenty of outdoor activities, there is much to explore between classes.
Moritz Rademacher, pictured bottom center, with his friends in Santander. Source: Moritz Rademacher
For Rademacher, the year he spent in Santander “was the best year of my life so far.”
“It offers you so many different locations and activities, such as surfing in Somo, visiting Mercado del Este on Thursday evenings with your friends, or enjoying the sunset after class from hidden spots,” he says.
Ready to start your degree? CESINE offers two annual intakes: September and January. Choosing the January intake means you can begin your studies sooner instead of waiting until autumn. You can also explore financial aid options and flexible payment plans, speak with an academic advisor to assess your qualifications.
Take the final step toward your international university degree here.
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