Qualifications Explained

Courses are usually one of four broad types:

General and academic subjects - Where you study a general subject that is not directly related to a job area, for example academic subjects such as history, maths, French and science. Examples of qualifications available in general academic subjects include GCSEs, Functional Skills, AS and A level courses, Extended Projects as well as Degrees. A mixture of subjects is normally taken - chosen to give a broad general education.
The new Diploma - where you study a line of learning that may be linked to a broad job sector such as business & administration or hospitality, or a broad subject area such as science. The Diploma includes Functional Skills and so is a mixture of general and academic learning as well as some vocational learning.
Vocational subjects - Where you study a broad job sector area such as engineering, travel and tourism, or business. Examples of qualifications available in vocational subjects include BTECs at all levels, OCR Nationals, and City & Guilds Certificates and Diplomas. Vocational subjects can also be taken as part of GCSE, AS, A and degree level qualifications for example GCSE Health and Social Care, A level Accounting, or a degree in Business and Finance.
Occupational subjects - are subjects where you learn about the skills needed to do a specific job such as bricklaying or childcare. Examples of qualifications available in specific occupational areas include NVQs and City and Guilds.

Remember that it may be possible to mix types of subjects together in a course. For example you may be able to take one of the new Diplomas and add in academic GCSEs, AS or A level subjects too.

The National Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework shows how the main types of qualifications relate to each other and encourages lifelong learning. It will help you to see how the range of opportunities and pathways fit together.

Level	Level Indicators	Examples of Qualifications at this Level
Entry Level - part of the Foundation Learning Tier	Builds a basic level of knowledge, understanding and skills.	Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3, in a range of areas including National Curriculum subjects, life skills, basic skills, and skills for working life.
Level 1 - also called Foundation Level and part of the Foundation Learning Tier	Basic knowledge, understanding and skills, and the ability to apply learning to activities that relate to everyday situations.	All GCSE grades D-G, ASDAN Level 1 certificates, Functional Skills, Foundation Diplomas and Extended Foundation Diplomas, Vocationally Related Qualifications at Level 1 for example: BTEC Introductory,City and Guilds Certificates, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 1.
Level 2 - also called Higher Level	Building knowledge and/or skills in relation to subject or sector areas; gaining ability to apply learning to a varied range of tasks.	All GCSE grades A*-C, Higher Diplomas and Extended Higher Diplomas, Functional Skills, VRQ Level 2 for example: City & Guilds Progression Awards, NVQ Level 2, graded examinations in Dance, Speech and Drama.
Level 3 - also called Advanced Level	Learning at this level involves obtaining in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills, and a higher level of application. Appropriate for people who want to go to university, or to further training or employment.	All GCE AS and A levels, Extended Projects, Fuctional Skills, Advanced, Extended Advanced and Advanced Progression Diplomas, VRQ Level 3 for example: Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, NVQ Level 3, music grades 6, 7 and 8.
Level 4-8 - also called Higher Education Level	Specialist learning involving high level of knowledge in specific occupational role or study. Appropriate for people working or wishing to progress to specialised technical and professional roles, and/or managing and developing others.	Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education, Bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate qualifications, professional qualifications, Foundation degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, NVQ Levels 4 and 5.

For more information about qualifications, go to:

The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency website

The 'Qualifications Explained' section of the Directgov website.