MSc to PG Diploma?

Hi

I appreciate it if someone can clarify this for me. My understanding is that the academic progress rule is checked by the UKBA based on the confirmation provided in CAS by the Tier 4 sponsor. i.e. if the sponsor has confirmed in CAS that the new course represents progress from the previous course, UKBA generally accepts this judgment.

I am finishing my MSc IT course soon and I am planning to apply for PG Diploma in Software Engineering for this January. I checked with the university and was told if the course leader confirms that the new course enhances the previous course, this would be OK to meet the academic progress requirement. The course leader has confirmed that he is happy to make an unconditional offer based on this.

However my questions is although MSc and PG Diploma are both level 7 qualifications, technically PG Diploma is a lower qualification than MSc as it does not include the dissertation part to achieve MSc. Doesn’t this contradict the academic progress rule even though the course contents are in a more specialised subject?

I personally think that there are a lot of loose ends with this rule and it is open to interpretation. Although it is said that confirmation in CAS by the sponsor is generally accepted by the UKBA, it is also mentioned that UKBA can pass judgment as to whether the new course meets the requirement of this new rule.

Thanks in advance