Everything You Need To Know

Upon completion of Year 11 there are a number of different qualifications you can work towards. In the table above you can see how the equate to each other, but what are each of these qualifications? Here you will find more information about these qualifications and the different levels.

What is available from school/academy/sixth form and college will vary, therefore it is important that you find out what is being offered where you want to go, you can search on UCAS Progress course database, if your chosen school/academy/sixth form or college is listed. However, even if they are not listed they will list their qualifications online, or within their prospectus. You will also find out such information through attendance to the open days/evenings.

Below is a list of the qualifications you are likely to come across, with some facts to help you decide whether it is the qualification suitable for you.

A Level (AS and A2)

A Levels are qualifications that will help you to continue your studies at university, or if you decide to go onto to do an apprenticeship. They are known as general academic qualifications.

An A Level is currently made up of two parts, AS which means Advanced Subsidiary and A2 which is completed in the 2nd year. You can only have a complete A Level if you take both parts. A Levels are a level 3 qualification, and you can normally begin A Levels if you have successfully completed level 2 courses such as GCSE, or BTEC Level 2 or NVQ Level 2.

There are over 80 subjects that can be offered which includes work related subjects such as Business Studies or Accounts. The grades for AS range from A—E and completion of a full A Level can get you an A* - E. If you are successful in completing the A Level it can lead onto level 4—6 courses, which includes BTEC, HND, NVQ Level 4 or a Degree.

As with GCSE’s, A Levels are facing reform over the next few year, with the first changes coming into effect in September 2015.

BTEC

These are general work related qualifications that are very popular, and suitable for a wide variety of students. Like A Levels they can help you progress onto further study at College, University, within an Apprenticeship or help you gain employment.

BTEC courses combine standard academic study within a class room environment, with practical work. They are available within a wide range of sectors to include Social Sciences, Art and Design, Engineering, Business, IT and Hair and Beauty to list just a few.

You are able to take a BTEC alongside, or even replacing GCSE’s and A Levels in many schools, academies and colleges. They can also make up part of the qualifications that can be gained during an apprenticeship, though generally they are much shorter courses.

BTEC’s begin at Entry Level (pre-level 1) and go up to Level 7 which is equal to a post graduate professional qualification. The entry requirements and progression that can be made will vary and depend on what BTEC and level you completed.

Degree

A degree is a higher education qualification and it will usually be studied at a university or a higher education college. You are able to complete a degree in a variety of subjects such as Law, History, English, Fashion and Drama to give just a few examples. If you decide to complete a degree it will usually take 3 years, although there are some that last 4 years and include a placement for 1 year or even time in another country.

Degrees are equal to a Level 6 qualification, and the route onto a degree will normally involve the completion of level 3 qualifications such as A Level’s or BTEC level 3.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Some Schools/Academies/Sixth Forms and Colleges will allow you to study the EPQ either separately or with other qualifications, like A Levels. This is a relatively new qualification, so will not be available everywhere just yet.

The EPQ gives students the opportunity to plan and research a topic of your own choosing, which allows students to work on a topic that they find interesting and therefore can be an fun qualification to work towards.

Students can choose their topic from their A Level subject or other course they are studying in more detail, or the students can choose to work on a topic from an entirely different subject area that they are interested in.

The project involves:

A detailed 5,000 word report, or
A product that could include a performance or artwork.

The EPQ I an excellent opportunity for students to work on their research and report writing skills, if you are considering going to university it can be a great way to prepare for the expectations that the university will have from you when it comes to research, writing and deadlines.

Functional Skills

This covers the study of practical skills in English, Mathematics and ICT. Functional skills are there to help students to become more confident and independent when it comes to work or studying. These are the skills that employers look for and value in their employees, whatever career you choose to go into.

You will normally study functional skills alongside another course and there are different levels available, dependant on the course you are studying:

If you are studying as part of a Foundation Learning Study Programme, you will be studying at Entry Level.
If you are completing GCCSE’s in English, Mathematics and ICT, you will be studying at Level 1.
If you are working within an apprenticeship then you are likely to be studying at Level 2.

It is also possible to take Foundation Skills as a stand alone qualification at school/academies/sixth form or colleges.

GCSE’S

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, students will normally begin their GCSE course in Year 10 (although some schools have students begin in Year 9). The course is completed in Year 11. That said, it is possible to take GCSE’s at college at any age.

There is a large variety of subjects that are available for students to take at GCSE examples include English, Mathematics, History, Sociology and MFL (Modern Foreign Languages). Obtaining GCSE’s will help you to prepare for level 3 qualifications such as A Levels, or BTEC or it can help you to successfully get onto an apprenticeship or even to get a job with training (are requirement for any job you get beteen 16 and 18 years of age).

GCSE’s are assessed at the end of the 2 years, and a new grading system is being put in place which means that results will be classified from grade 9, which is the highest, and goes down to 1 as the lowest grade.

Currently the grades go from A* to G and equate to the following:

D - G = Level 1 Qualification
If you are looking to go into employment, start applying for jobs that offer training, or at least look to apply for part time roles that will give you time to continue with a course part time.
A* - C = Level 2 Qualification

Some school and academies also offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which is an international qualification that is equivalent to GCSE.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

This is a 2 year course for those aged 16-19 years of age, and involves students studying 6 subjects from a range of subject groups that cover languages and literature, the arts, science, mathematics, humanities along with a variety of other subjects. At the end you will obtain a qualification that is recognised by universities and employers all over the world.

The IB Diploma is equivalent to a Level 3 qualification, and gives the opportunity to move onto Level 4 –6 qualifications, such as HND, Degree, or NVQ Level 4. The following website will give you more information on this qualification www.ibo.org/diploma

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ)

NVQ’s are qualifications that base learning around the skills that are needed in the work place, assessment takes place while working while training also is completed at college or another learning provider. NVQ’s can help you to successfully get onto an Apprenticeship or even further learning at college.

NVQ’s have been developed alongside employers and are therefore designed to give you the skills you need for a specific job role. They are therefore relevant to work and are valued by employers.

NVQ’s make up the main qualifications that are gained while working on an apprenticeship, but some schools/academies/sixth form and colleges offer them as separate qualifications that you can study, or even be studies within the workplace itself.

NVQ’s go from Level 1 up to Level 5 and allow you to progress onto further education such as A Levels or Degree (dependant on the level you have taken).

Vocational Awards, Certificates and Diplomas

These qualifications include NVQ’s and BTEC’s and can be completed in a wide range of subjects at all levels, and provide the student with practical experience that will help develop their skills needed for work or further study.

For more information look at the details above on NVQ’s and BTEC qualifications.

There are over 2,500 subjects available across the country, although they are not all going to be offered, so you will need to check with your school/academy/sixth form and college what they offer.