I assume, the top module design specification says that module has 5 sub module instance.
Then top module verification means verification of top module with all 5 sub module instantiated.
For me both are same as long as there is no functional requirement that sub_modules have connection in between them.
But if there is some connection between sub_modules then it becomes top level functional requirements which has to be implemented by top level design and then top level design has to be verified. But here I am talking about general design verification flow and your need may be different.