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Qualifications – What do they mean?

Qualification levels explained

This briefly explains what the different qualifications mentioned on this site mean.  You can get more detail at www.direct.gov.uk or www.edexcel.com.

GCSE
GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds, but are available to anyone. You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and 'applied' (work-related) subjects. These are Level 1 and 2 qualifications and can lead to further education, such as A Levels, BTEC qualifications and apprenticeships, or employment. 

AS and A level
AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) level qualifications focus on traditional study skills. They normally take two years to complete full-time, but can be studied part-time.

You can choose from a wide range of academic subjects, as well as some 'applied' (work-related) subjects. In most cases, you need 5 GCSEs at grades A - C to study A levels.  These are Level 3 qualifications and can lead to higher education or employment. 

BTEC Qualification
These are vocational qualifications and tend to be more practical, focusing on a particular work sector or industry.  BTEC levels range from 1 to 4, in a wide range of subject areas, and can be studied alongside, or instead of, GCSEs and A levels.  Listed below are the main BTEC Levels:

  • BTEC Entry: develops the initial skills for either a broad work sector or everyday life where confidence is needed by students.  BTEC Entry Certificates are suitable for students aged 14 and above, and are designed for students with learning difficulties or those who struggle with traditional learning.
  • BTEC Introductory: are Level 1 qualifications and offer an entry point to an industry sector and encourage the development of personal and work-related skills. BTEC Introductory qualifications are suitable for any student aged 14 and above, and are designed for those who are not able to achieve A - C grade GCSEs, but who are motivated by a work related course.  It generally takes a year to complete and no formal entry requirements are usually needed. You can progress to a Level 2 qualification from this.
  • BTEC Firsts: are Level 2 qualifications, the equivalent of traditional GCSEs grades A - C. There are currently over 60 BTEC First qualifications available, linked to industry sectors. The BTEC First is suitable for students aged up to 16 and is designed for those who are capable of achieving A – C grade GCSEs but prefer to focus on a work related vocational qualification or work area.
  • BTEC Nationals: are designed as specialist qualifications for students who wish to focus on a specific career industry or sector and/or want to progress onto higher education.  BTEC Nationals are equivalent to A levels and are highly valued by universities, further education colleges and employers. These qualifications are suitable for students aged 16 and above, and are recommended for those who have achieved at least four A - C grade GCSEs or have completed a BTEC First.
  • BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HND) and Higher National Certificates (HNC): these are Level 5 higher education qualifications. While bachelor degrees tend to focus on gaining knowledge, HNCs and HNDs are designed to provide the skills to put that knowledge to effective use in a particular job. They are suitable for students aged 16 and above. The HNC is often studied part-time alongside full-time employment. A Higher National student will develop management and other higher level technical skills required by employers.  After a period of usually two years, students often have the option to progress to the final year of degree programmes. Higher Nationals can be studied in both FE colleges and universities.
  • BTEC Foundation Diploma: The BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is an intensive one-year, post A level course, which provides the opportunity to explore the many areas of art and design before choosing an area in which to specialise.  It can provide a good grounding for students wishing to progress onto higher education and a career in art and design.  Entry requirements vary from A levels to a BTEC National in Art and Design.  

NVQ
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are 'competence-based’ qualifications, providing practical, work-related tasks designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively. 

NVQs are based on national standards for various occupations - the standards state what a competent person in a job would be expected to do. As you progress through the course, you compare your skills and knowledge with these standards so you can see what you need to do in order to meet them. 

Taking an NVQ could be appropriate if you already have skills and want to improve them, or if you are just starting.  NVQs are at Levels 1 to 5.  Within reason, there is no maximum time limit to complete an NVQ as it is designed to be taken at a pace that suits your needs. However, many learners take about a year to complete an NVQ at Level 1 and 2, and around two years at Level 3.

14 – 19 Diploma
These are new qualifications for students aged 14 to 19.  They offer a more practical, hands-on way of gaining the essential skills employers and universities look for. They are aimed at increasing the choices available to young people and encouraging them to stay in education longer. 

As of September 2008, Diplomas are available in selected schools and colleges around the country in five subject areas: Construction and the Built Environment; Creative and Media; Engineering; Information Technology; and Society, Health & Development.  More subject areas will be added over the coming years, with the full range of 17 subjects becoming available to all students by 2013. 

Students who choose to study for a Diploma can do it instead of a GCSE or A level (although they can include GCSEs and A levels within their Diploma programme). 

There are three levels of Diploma, each taking two years to complete:

  • Foundation Diploma - a Level 1 qualification, equivalent to five GCSEs at grades D - G;
  • Higher Diploma - a Level 2 qualification, equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades A - C;
  • Advanced Diploma - a level 3 qualification for those over 16, equivalent to three and a half A levels.

Foundation and Higher Diploma students can continue their education or take their new skills into a job that offers further training. Those who choose to stay in education can move on to the next level of Diploma, or take a different type of qualification, such as GCSEs, A levels or an Apprenticeship. Advanced Diplomas can lead to either a university course or a career. 

Foundation Degree
These are particular types of degrees designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge that businesses are looking for.  The qualification is broadly equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor degree. It can lead straight to a job, or prepare you for developing your professional skills in the future. 

Foundation Degrees are offered by a growing number of higher education and further education colleges. You learn in a way that suits you - through distance learning, in the workplace or online. It takes around two years to complete a Foundation Degree full-time, or three to four years part-time. There is an option to do an extra year and top-up a foundation degree to a full bachelor degree. There are no set entry requirements.

Check with individual universities or colleges to see if you have the necessary experience or qualifications to do a particular foundation degree.

Apprenticeship
These are designed with employers to allow ‘on the job’ training.  There are two levels available:

  • Apprenticeships - Level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSE passes) Apprentices aim for a work-based learning qualification such as an NVQ Level 2 Key Skills and, in some cases, a relevant technical certificate. These provide the skills needed for your chosen career and allow entry to Advanced Apprenticeships.
  • Advanced Apprenticeships - Level 3 (equivalent to two A level passes) Advanced apprentices aim for a work-based learning qualification such as a NVQ Level 3 Key Skills and, in some cases, a relevant technical certificate. To start this programme, you should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.  

Bachelor Degree
A bachelor degree (also known as an 'ordinary' or 'first' degree) is a course of academic study leading to a qualification such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Medicine (MB). It usually takes three or four years to complete full-time (normally four years if you're doing a sandwich course, which includes a year in industry or abroad). You can also study for a bachelor degree part-time or through flexible learning. 

The qualification is designed to give you a thorough understanding of a subject. It helps you develop your analytical, intellectual and essay/dissertation writing skills. You'll also be able to have much more input about the direction your learning takes than you've had previously.  Most bachelor degrees require at least two A levels at grade E or above (or equivalent grades in other qualifications). 

Postgraduate Qualification
Some higher education qualifications require you to already have a bachelor degree and these are known as 'postgraduate' qualifications.  Generally, they lead to four main types of qualification: Postgraduate certificates; Postgraduate diplomas; Masters Degrees; and Doctorates. Most types of postgraduate qualification will include taught and research elements. To study for a postgraduate qualification, you will normally need to have a bachelor degree with a grade of lower second (2:2) or above.