Qualifications

Whether you stay in education or choose the training and work route, continuing to gain and improve your qualifications will be important. People with the right skills and qualifications have a better chance of getting a job with prospects and more money. Many qualifications can be studied part-time.

This chart shows the range of qualifications available and how you can progress up the levels.

What do the levels mean?

Foundation Learning Tier (Entry and Level 1):

• These qualifications develop and improve basic knowledge, understanding and skills in a particular subject, a specific work area or broad economic sector.
• They build confidence and help prepare people for further learning or independent living.
• They help people use their learning in everyday situations.
• They prepare people for further qualifications at this level or to progress to level 2.

Level 2

• These qualifications build knowledge, understanding and skills in a particular subject, a specific work area or broad economic sector.
• They help people use their learning in a wide range of tasks.
• They prepare people for further qualifications at this level or to progress to level 3.
• Many employers use this level as their minimum entry requirement.

Level 3

• These qualifications develop detailed knowledge, understanding and skills in a particular subject, a specific work area or broad economic sector.
• They help people use their learning in a wide range of tasks and situations.
• They prepare people for further qualifications at this level or to progress to level 4.
• Most universities expect applicants to be qualified to this level.
• Employers will increasingly look for applicants who are qualified to at least this level.

Level 4-8

• These qualifications involve in-depth understanding and knowledge about a specific job or area of study.
• They help people become specialists in their chosen area of work or study.

Qualifications and Learning Programmes

A Level

• Available in general and vocational subjects.
• One year of study, course work and exams for AS Level.
• Second year of study, course work and exams for full A Level (A2).
• "Stretch & challenge" elements at A2 will better prepare you for higher education and employment.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• Broadly equivalent to four A Levels.
• Takes two years to complete.
• Six subjects are studied, chosen from: languages; individuals & societies; mathematics & computer science; the arts; experimental sciences.
• Course also includes an extended project, theory of knowledge and community service.
• Accepted by universities around the world.

The Diploma

• A qualification that combines practical and theoretical learning which can be studied over two years or can be one year post-16 for the Foundation or Higher Diploma.
• Combines classroom learning with practical hands-on experience, including the chance to spend at least ten days working with an employer.
• Includes principal learning which covers the main things you need to know about your chosen subject area and the skills that employers, universities and colleges look for. The additional learning part can be specialist courses that give a deeper understanding of your chosen subject area and specialist learning which can be something completely different that will broaden your studies.
• You'll continue to develop your functional and personal, learning and thinking skills.
• All Diploma students complete a Project Qualification to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have gained.
• The Diploma can lead on to higher education.
• The Diploma is available at three levels:
  • Foundation Diploma - this is a Level 1 qualification that is the equivalent of five GCSEs grades D-G.
  • Higher Diploma - this is a Level 2 qualification that is the equivalent of seven GCSEs grades A*-C.
  • Advanced Diploma - this is a Level 3 qualification that is the equivalent of three and a half A Levels. There is a smaller Progression Diploma at this level that is the equivalent of two and a half A Levels.

Foundation Learning Tier/Progression Pathways

• You'll study qualifications that will develop and improve your basic knowledge, understanding and skills in a particular subject, a specific work area or broad economic sector.
• You'll build confidence and help be prepared for further learning or independent living.
• You'll be prepared for further qualifications at this level or to progress to level 2.

GCSE

• General and vocational subjects are available.
• Can be single award (one GCSE), double award (two GCSEs) or short courses (covering half the material of a full GCSE).
• Some subjects have two tiers of assessment - Foundation and Higher.
• Your personal, learning and thinking skills will be developed. These include team working; independent enquiry; self-management; reflective learning; effective participation and creative thinking.
• Coursework will be replaced with controlled assessments in some subjects.
• GCSE resits, or study of a new subject, usually last one year for those over-16.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

• These are designed for people who want to gain recognised work-based qualifications in a specific career, for example, plumbing, veterinary nursing, engineering, hairdressing and administration.
• NVQs are available at Foundation Learning Tier – Level 5 so there is plenty of opportunity to progress.  Each level is divided into units to show exactly what you are able to do.
• To achieve an NVQ you must complete a number of on-the-job assessments.
• NVQs are often achieved as part of an Apprenticeship.
• NVQs at Level 3 can allow progression into higher education.

Vocationally-Related Qualifications (VRQs)

• These are designed to help you gain relevant skills and knowledge of a work-related area.
• Those who gain Vocationally-Related Certificates can go onto employment or further study.
• To achieve a Vocationally-Related Certificate you need to complete practical assessments and/or marked assessments.
• These qualifications vary in length, from short programmes to a BTEC National Diploma, which is roughly the same as three A Levels.
• They are offered at Foundation Learning Tier – Level 4.
• They are awarded by a range of organisations including Edexcel (BTEC), Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE) and City and Guilds.

Skills for learning, work and life

Some skills are so important they are part of most learning programmes and many qualifications.

Personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS)

These skills help you to become:

• an independent enquirer.
• a creative thinker.
• a reflective learner.
• a team worker.
• a self manager.
• an effective participator.

They are part of all Diplomas.

Functional skills

• These are practical skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT).
• They are part of all Diplomas.
• They will be available as separate qualifications from 2010.