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QUALIFICATIONS
You might not be familiar with all of the qualifications now being offered. This is a brief summary of the main ones you may wish to consider.
A Levels (AS and A2)
Vocational GCSEs
BTEC National Diplomas
National Vocational Qualifications
Key Skills
International Baccalaureate
These are academic courses that develop intellectual skills. Most successful students go on into higher education or employment. A full A Level usually takes two years. You will normally need 5/6 GCSEs (at grades A-C) to enter an A Level course. The course now comes in two stages. Each A Level is made up of 3 AS units and 3 A2 units. In the first year you will take 3-5 AS Levels and sit examinations. In the second year you can take 2-4 A2's and sit final examinations. All results are graded A to E. <top>
Vocational GCSEs are designed to provide a more hands-on approach to learning. They emphasise practical skills and the application of knowledge and understanding. Students carry out their own investigations and produce a portfolio of work, which is internally assessed and externally moderated (70 percent of overall marks). Students’ knowledge and understanding is further tested through external examination (30 percent). <top>
GENERAL NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (GNVQs)
These are vocational, practical courses. Most successful students will go on to employment. The courses are available at Foundation and Intermediate level and take one year to complete. You will need 2 GCSEs, at grades A-C, to enter at Intermediate level.
You may be required to have some GCSEs, grades D-F, to enter at Foundation level. Check with the school or college you are considering. Pre Foundation courses are offered by some schools and colleges as a step towards the Foundation level course.
On all these courses you will be assessed through course work and modular tests. It is possible to progress from Foundation to Intermediate courses. <top>
These are vocational, practical courses that provide entry into employment and higher education. They are usually studied over two years and are broadly equivalent to two A levels. <top>
NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
These are qualifications which are linked to specific occupations. They are available to people through their work, and can also be taken at a few schools and most colleges. They are available at 5 levels from foundation level to professional level. School leavers can start at levels 1-3, depending on their skills and qualifications. Assessment is based on being able to show that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do all aspects of a particular type of work. <top>
These are the skills that employers and universities have identified as being vital for the general effectiveness of employees and students. They are: Application of Number, Communication and Information Technology. Key Skills qualifications are available at various levels. <top>
This is a two year course covering a broad range of subjects. It is available in a number of countries, and is offered by some schools and colleges in the UK. As a qualification it is recognised in the UK for higher education and job applications. <top>
If you would like more information about any of these qualifications speak to one of your teachers or email a question to a personal adviser!
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