Learning Options: Qualifications
Unsure as to what qualifications are out there?
This page gives a brief explanation on some of the qualifications you may come across.
GSCE
The General Certificate of Secondary Education is available in a range of subjects. These can be studied part-time during the day or evening as well as at home through open and distance learning
A Level
The General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level is similar to the GCSE, but at a higher level. Each course is made up of six modules, the first three of which lead to an AS Level.
AS Level
The Advance Subsidiary Level is achieved by completing three AS units which make up the first half of an A Level.
Access Course
Access courses usually run at further education colleges. They offer an alternative route to higher education to taking GCSE’s or A Level’s and may be geared towards specific training such as teaching or nursing.
Degrees
These are offered at universities, colleges and institutes of higher education. You can study full time (usually for three years), part time or at home through Open University.
DipHE
The Diploma in Higher Education is equivalent to the first two years of a degree course and is usually offered by higher education institutions.
GNVQ
General National Vocational Qualifications relate to broad areas of employment such as health and social care, or leisure and tourism. They are designed to prepare you for jobs or further study. They can be studied on a full time or part time basis and are modular.
BTEC First and National Diplomas/Certificates
BTEC Qualifications related to particular areas of employment such as agriculture or construction. BTEC First is an introductory level, while BTEC National is roughly equivalent to A Level. Full time courses lead to Diplomas and part time courses to Certificates.
BTEC Higher National Diplomas/Certificates
These are advanced level qualifications relating to a particular area of work. Full time courses lead to Diplomas and part time courses to Certificates.
NVQ
National Vocational Qualifications are available in a wide range of occupations. They can be awarded from levels 1 to 5 covering basic to professional level skills. NVQs are workplace assessed qualifications.
City & Guilds
This body offers qualifications in a range of industrial and commercial fields, such as Pitman and NEBS Management Qualifications.
APL and APEL
You may be able to gain accreditation for prior learning (APL) or accreditation for prior experiential learning (APEL), which means you will receive formal recognition of skills, experience and qualifications that you already have, perhaps towards the entry requirements of a course.
CATS
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Schemes allow you to transfer the credits you have already gained at one further or higher education institution to another. Courses in the schemes are divided into modules, each being awarded a number of credit points.
