Qualifications

There are so many kinds of qualifications out there, and they do change. On this page we give a short summary of  some of the most popular ones. To find out who offers the qualification, go to Looking Ahead, the local 14-19 course database. For higher education courses go to UCAS.

A-levels and AS-levels

• Usually you need at least 5 GCSE passes at grades A*-C to start these. You may need higher grades in the specific subjects that you want to study at A level.
• In year one you can expect to take up to 5 subjects leading to AS-levels. In year 2 you would usually continue with 3 subjects to get a complete A level. If you only want to study for one year, you can leave at the end of it with AS qualifications.  
• You can take individual subjects like history, physics, and psychology. You can also take vocational subjects like engineering, travel and tourism. 

14-19 Diplomas

• These are new qualifications. At the moment these are available in five subject areas nationally but more will be offered in the future.
• They combine classroom learning with parctical skills and include work experience, functional skills and the chance to do GDSEs, A-levels and other national qualifications whilst learning about a particular area of work.
• Diplomas are available at three levels:

Foundation - level 1 - equivalent to 5 GCSE grades D-G

Higher - level 2 - equivalent to 7 GCSEs grades A*-C

Advanced - level 3 - equivalent to 3.5 A-levels

More information about Diplomas: http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/

BTEC

These are general vocational qualifications but are more closely linked to work than A-levels in vocational subjects. You study for a BTEC in a work area like business studies or art and design, not an individual subject like history or maths. They are available at different levels and sizes.  For example, certificate courses cover less than diploma courses.: They are also available at different levels:

BTEC Introductory Certificate and Diploma are one year courses aimed at those with few or no qualifications.  

BTEC First is also a one year course for those with GCSE grades C-D. 

BTEC National is a two year course for those with 4–5 GCSE passes at grades A*-C. The BTEC National Diploma is worth 18 units and is equivalent to 3 A-levels.

OCR Nationals

These are vocational courses available at three levelsand in different sizes:

OCR level 1 – no exam passes needed to start at this level.
OCR Level 2 – usually need mid-grade GCSEs or a level 1 qualification for entry.
OCR Level 3 – usually you need high GCSE passes or a level 2 qualification for entry.

National Vocational Qualifications or NVQ

These are nationally recognised qualifications and are available at different levels: NVQ 1, NVQ 2, NVQ 3 and so on. They measure your ability to do a job by assessing the skills, knowledge and understanding you need for a particular job.  Usually you would do them through work or an Apprenticeship but it is possible to take some NVQs on a full-time basis.

Entry level qualifications

These are often taken by young people who have literacy or learning difficulties. They cover basic knowledge and skills.  They are available at 3 levels: entry level 1, 2 and 3.

GCSEs

Usually you study for these in school in years 10 and 11. It may be possible to re-sit or take additional ones in the sixth form or at college to improve your grades.

Vocational GCSEs are available in a range of subjects.  They cover a particular area of work, like health and social care, rather than individual subjects.  They are available as single or double awards. A double award is worth two GCSEs.

Key Skills

These courses are designed to give you the important skills you need for the future. These are communication, application of number, information technology, problem solving, working with others and improving own learning and performance.  You usually take these along with other qualifications. 

Exam boards

Qualifications are set by a number of organisations, known as awarding bodies or exam boards.  So you might see the name of the awarding body in the title of the qualification.  Forexample,For exampleSuch as,Edexcel, OCR,and , AQA, ABC, WJEC, City & Guilds.

Higher Education

Honours degree

• An honours degree course usually takes 3 years. Some, like medicine, foreign languages and courses with a work placement take longer.
• Most are full-time but many can be taken on a part-time basis. 
• A degree is often subject based (history, politics) but some (like dentistry) are vocational -they relate to particular areas of work. (dentistry).You can study one subject or combine subjects.

Higher National Diploma or Certificate (HND/HNC)

• A HND or HNC usually take 2 years, but may take three if you do a work placement.
• You can decide to go onto a degree course afterwards; this can take another one or two years.
• HNDs/HNCs are work related courses. You study a work area such as business studies not an individual subject like maths.

Foundation degree

• This is an employment-related qualifications designed together with employers to give students the skills, experience and specialist technical knowledge employers need.
• It takes two years if you do it full-time. 
• You can turn it into an honours degree with a further year of full-time study.
• There are over 70 foundation degree courses in subjects like design and technology and e-systems.

Diploma in Higher Education

• This two-year course is similar to a degree but covers less. Some people do an extra year to get a degree.
• Sometimes it is combined with professional/vocational courses.  For example, nursing.

2009