Help - Qualifications explained
Helping you make sense of the various types of qualification.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
NVQ's are offered across all Further Education levels and relate to specific jobs, like Accounting, Electrical Installation or Painting and Decorating. The qualification is available to anyone aged 16 and over. The courses are made up of a series of units and the emphasis is placed on completing practical work. Generally, students are assessed when undertaking activities and many of the NVQ courses may entail work experience. Due to the strong pratical focus the qualification is valued by employers as it will demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to perform the work.
NVQs are available in the following levels:-
- Level 1 - Foundation
- Level 2 - Basic craft
- Level 3 - Technician, advanced craft, supervisor
- Level 4 - Higher technician, junior management
- Level 5 - Professional, middle management
- Level 6
- Level 7
- Level 8
General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs)
GNVQ's are designed to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in broad vocational areas. They also focus on development of employment related skills and can lead onto employment and training or to Further Education or Higher Education qualifications.
GNVQs are available in the following levels:-
- Level 1 - Advanced
- Level 2 - Intermediate
- Level 3 - Foundation
BTEC First and BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma Qualifications
These qualifications are similar to General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) and VCEs/AVCEs. They also provide opportunities for students to progress onto Higher Education and/or employment. A National Award is made up of three units, a National Certificate consists of six units and a National Diploma is made up of 12 units.
AS Levels
Advanced Subsidiary Levels ('AS' Levels) are Further Education Level 3 qualifications which can be taken over one year. They have the same rules about assessment, grading and programme work as 'A2' Levels and are designed to develop knowledge, skills and understanding through one or more subjects. 'AS' Levels are half the content of an 'A' Level and are externally examined.
Successful achievement of an 'AS' Level can lead to progression onto the 'A2' which would normally entail a further year of study. Generally students will need to achieve 2 or 3 'A' Levels at appropriate grades to progress onto Higher Education.
A2 Level
Advanced levels are Further Education Level 3 qualifications and demand more individual, in-depth study than GCSEs and place greater emphasis on traditional study and presentation. They have normally been taken by students wishing to follow an 'academic' route to Higher Education or employment.
Students will have successfully gained an 'AS' in the subject before progressing onto study the 'A2' as part of the 'A' Level.
You will usually need at least four Grade C GCSE's to be able to cope with A level study. A levels usually take two years to complete and while most people take three subjects, some take two with other studies making up their timetable.
General Certificate of Secondary Education - GCSE's
These are normally taken during Years 10 and 11 and generally sat in Year 11 of school,however, school leavers of any age can also choose to study GCSEs at their local colleges.
Other Codes
Generally all courses will have a learning aim. In some cases abbreviations are used. The most common are as follows:-
- AC - Access Course
- BA - Batchelor of Arts
- BS - Basic Skills
- CERT - Certificate
- CG - City and Guilds
- DIP - Diploma
- HNC - Higher National Certificate
- OG - Other general qualification
- OQ - Other Qualification
If you come across another qualification that has not been explained then you can refer to the full list of Qualification Codes or contact the course provider for further details.