Qualifications guide

If you're looking to carry on learning after 16, either at sixth form or a Further Education (FE) college, there's a range of courses you can choose from.

It's important to gain nationally recognised qualifications so that they mean something to an employer or another learning institution. You may need to pick certain types qualifications or combinations of subjects for the career you want.

Informed Choices 2011  Explains about choosing appropriate Advanced qualifications and combinations of subjects for entry to university courses.

General Qualifications
GCSEs
AS Levels
A Levels
AEAs

Vocational Qualifications
GCSEs in vocational subjects 
AS and A Levels in vocational subjects 
BTEC 
OCR Nationals

Occupational Qualifications
NVQs
Apprenticeships

The Diploma
Available in some areas of Leicester and Leicestershire, The Diploma is a qualification that allows you to combine classroom learning with hands-on experience in the workplace.

Key Skills

Key Skills qualifications can be studied alongside any other courses. They cover the skills of communicating, number work and computing. Each key skill can be studied at Level 1, 2 or 3.

Entry Level qualifications

Entry Level qualifications are available in a wide range of academic and work based subjects. Qualifications at Entry level are awarded as certificates. They focus on building basic skills and knowledge; and give you the qualifications you need to progress to study GCSEs or NVQs.

Functional skills

Functional skills are practical skills in English, maths and information and communications technology (ICT). You use them in everyday life, in learning and at work. They can help you with things like managing your money, applying for a job and writing a report. They are part of the Diploma, Apprenticeships and the KS3 curriculum. Find out more about Functional skills on the Directgov website.

Foundation Learning

Foundation learning programmes are for teenagers to help them get ready for work or further learning. You will get support on the programme to help you to get a Level 1 qualification. Visit our Foundation Learning page to find out more.

National Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) sorts the three types of qualifications (General, Vocational, and Occupational) into different levels. There are eight levels as well as Entry Level qualifications. You’ll usually progress upwards through the levels as you cover more complicated material in your studies.

How the main qualifications, up to Level 3, roughly relate to each other:

Level	General	Vocational	Occupational
3  Advanced	A Level AS Level	A Level (vocational subjects) AS Level (vocational subjects) BTEC Level 3 Diploma The Advanced Diploma OCR Level 3 Certificate	NVQ Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
2  Intermediate	GCSEs grades A* - C	BTEC Level 2 Diploma The Higher Diploma OCR Level 2 Certificate	NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship
1 Foundation	GCSEs, grades D – G	BTEC Level 1 Certificate, Award or Diploma The Foundation Diploma	NVQ Level 1

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