Study options for post-16 qualifications  

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work-based qualifications for those in employment. They are competence-based, which means that they assess the ability of an individual to successfully carry out a range of identified work-related tasks. NVQs are based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) which are developed by the relevant Sector Skills Council (SSC) that represents employers in an occupational area.   

NVQ study options
NVQs are usually undertaken at the workplace where candidates can be assessed in their work role. There may be some additional out of work activity to support this, which may be undertaken at a college or training provider. NVQs can also be undertaken as part of an Apprenticeship scheme along with other qualifications to comprise a package which will allow entry into or progression within an occupational area.   

How you will be assessed
NVQs demonstrate an individual’s ability to perform tasks and skills at nationally recognised standards. Candidates are required to provide a portfolio of evidence which can include personal statements, observation records or examples of reports and memos. Competences are assessed in the workplace, quality assured and verified by experienced and qualified practitioners.     

Progression options
Candidates can progress to higher level NVQs or to other related vocational courses such as BTECs.     

The Diploma is a new qualification that offers a unique mix of traditional and work-relevant learning. Developed in collaboration with employers and higher education, the Diploma provides learners with essential skills, relevant experience and applied learning.  

The Diploma is available at three levels:

• Foundation (Level 1)
• Higher (Level 2)
• Advanced and Progression (Level 3)

The Diploma combines:

• Principal Learning
• A project or extended project
• A choice of Additional and Specialist Learning - this can include academic qualifications such as GCSEs and A levels, vocational qualifications such as BTECs and NVQs, and specialist qualifications in, for example, music, finance, engineering, IT, society, health and development, or construction skills
• Functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT
• Personal, Learning and Thinking skills 
• Work experience

The entirely new Principal Learning component consists of lines of learning, based on sectors. The first five ‘lines of learning’ will be availble from September 2008:

• Construction and the Built Environment
• Creative and Media
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Society, Health and Development

Further lines of learning will be available in 2009 and 2010.   

Diploma study options
The Diploma will give learners first-hand experience and insight into the world of work by providing opportunities for them to take part in a practical, 'real world' environment.   

Studying for a Diploma will be different to the normal school or college day that you’re used to. As well as learning in the classroom, you can also spend time in an environment more like a workplace, such as a workshop, and do work experience with an employer. It's possible that you might spend time outside your normal school or college, perhaps attending another one in your area.    

You’ll develop skills that include creative thinking and teamwork, alongside compulsory subjects like English, maths and ICT. When you’ve completed your Diploma course, you can choose to do further study, going on to college or university, or you can choose to go into a job and training.
    

How you will be assessed  

Principal Learning
In the Principal Learning component, each line of learning for each level has a certain number of units, some of which have internal assessment and some of which have external assessment.  

Award of the Diploma
To achieve the Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma, a learner must complete all components:

• Principal Learning at the correct level
• A project or extended project at the correct level
• Additional and Specialist Learning (the catalogue of qualifications that are approved to be Additional and Specialist Learning is available on the NDAQ website)
• Functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT (Level 1 for the Foundation Diploma, Level 2 for all other Diplomas)
• Personal, Learning and Thinking skills (PLTS) must be demonstrated
• The required amount of work experience must be completed.

To achieve the Progression Diploma, a learner must complete all the components needed for the Advanced Diploma, with the exception of Additional and Specialist Learning.  

Every component of the Diploma (apart from work experience and PLTS) is a qualification in its own right. So learners who do not achieve the Diploma as a whole will still get certificates and appropriate Ucas points for each component they achieve.  

Grading of the Diploma
Although the Diploma is only awarded if a learner has completed all components, the grade awarded for the Diploma is derived from the aggregate score of Principal Learning and the project or extended project.   

The Principal Learning, project or extended project and the Diploma as a whole are graded in the same way:  

Level 1: A*, A, B or ungraded (U)
Level 2: A*, A, B, C or ungraded (U)
Level 3: A*, A, B, C, D, E or ungraded (U)  

A Diploma transcript will record and report a learner's achievements in units and qualifications within the Diploma programme. It will contain grades at unit level. It will also record the achievement of Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) and the completion of work experience.  

Progression options
The Diploma provides a broad preparation for work or further study or for higher education. It gives learners the knowledge and skills that employers and universities are looking for while still keeping their options open.  

For example, a Foundation or Higher Diploma could be followed by A levels or by BTECs. An Advanced Diploma could lead to university and vocational study. The Additional and Specialist Learning component allows learners to add the specialist qualifications they may need to satisfy entrance requirements.  

Equivalences

• Foundation (Level 1) Diploma is equivalent to four to five GCSEs at grades D to G.
• Higher (Level 2) Diploma is equivalent to five to six GCSEs at grades A* to C.
• Advanced (Level 3) Diploma is equivalent to 3.5 A levels.

Ucas Tariff points
A top grade A level is worth 120 points, and a top grade AS level is worth 60 points. This means that the Advanced Diploma is worth 3.5 A levels and the Progression Diploma worth 2.5 A levels.  

Advanced (Level 3) Diploma – maximum 420 Tariff points, consisting of:

• Principal and Generic Learning at Level 3, which attract a maximum score of 300 points. (Generic Learning consists of: functional skills; Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS); work experience; and an Extended Project.)
• Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) at Level 3, which attracts a maximum score of 120 points.

Progression (Level 3) Diploma – maximum 300 Tariff points, consisting of:

• Principal and Generic Learning at Level 3, which attract a maximum score of 300 points.   

Every component of the Diploma (apart from work experience and PLTS) is a qualification in its own right. Learners who do not achieve the Diploma as a whole will still get Ucas points and certificates for each component they achieve.

General Certificates of Education (also commonly known as A levels, which stands for Advanced level) are normally studied post-GCSE but can be studied at any time or age. They are designed to increase a student’s knowledge and skills in their chosen subject areas.    

Study options
To study GCE A levels, students normally require 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above, although mature students may be accepted without the normal entry requirements. Students start with the AS level, which normally takes a year, and can go on to the A2 level, which also normally takes a year. So a full A level normally takes two years.   

How you will be assessed
Each unit within a particular subject is assessed either by coursework or timed examination. There are also practical examinations and oral tests for some subjects.   

Progression options
Upon completion of a GCE, students can go on to higher education or employment. 

Title and general BTEC Nationals are specialist, vocational Level 3 qualifications in three sizes. A BTEC National Diploma has equivalence with three GCE A levels; a BTEC National Certificate has equivalence with two GCE A levels; and a BTEC National Award has equivalence with one GCE A level (or two AS levels). Titles are highly specific and the content technical and specialist in nature; for example, BTEC National Award in Forestry and Arboriculture, BTEC National Certificate in Media Production (Interactive Media), and BTEC National Diploma in Building Services Engineering.    

BTEC Nationals are designed as specialist qualifications for students who have a clear view of their future career or are seeking progression to higher education. BTEC Nationals are equivalent to A levels and are highly valued by universities, further education colleges and employers alike.   

BTEC study options
There are more than 250 qualifications for students to choose from. These qualifications are suitable for students aged 16 upwards and are recommended for those who have achieved at least four A*- to C-grade GCSEs or have completed a BTEC First and have a clear view of where they want to be, or wish to go to university.  

Many BTEC qualifications are based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS), as determined by the relevant sector skills councils. From the NOS Edexcel creates units, assessment guidance and support materials within specifications.   

Edexcel consults widely with centres, employers, and other sector professionals. Where there is a perceived need for a specialist or other vocational qualification, Edexcel works with key players to create an appropriate BTEC qualification, accredited by our relevant regulators. Some BTEC Nationals are designated as Technical Certificates (providing the underpinning knowledge) for Apprenticeships devised by the Sector Skills Councils. Apprenticeships encompass National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs: occupational, competence-based qualifications) with key skills (for example, numeracy, communication and IT).   

How you will be assessed
BTEC National qualifications are not exam-based qualifications. Students study real-life, work-based case studies and complete projects and assessments which contribute to achieving each unit studied.   

In order to complete each unit, students must achieve against a set of outcomes. The assessment criteria address theory with practical exercises. The assessment process is ongoing, so it allows students to analyse and improve their own performance through their course in much the same way as they would in a real workplace. The assignments and projects that students undertake form the basis of their unit results, which are graded as a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction.  

Progression options
BTEC National Awards, Certificates, Diplomas and the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design are eligible for Ucas Tariff points. 

A BTEC National Diploma has equivalence with three GCE A levels, 120-360 points.
A BTEC National Certificate has equivalence with two GCE A levels, 80-240 points.
A BTEC National Award has equivalence with one GCE A level (or 2 AS levels), 40-120 points.  

The number of Ucas points depends on the overall grade achieved. For example, a BTEC National Certificate achieved at the overall grades of Distinction/Merit would be equivalent to 200 Ucas points. 

Apprenticeships are open to everyone living in the UK and not in full-time education. Apprenticeships are high quality work-based training programmes for those who want to develop their future career. They involve on-the-job training with an employer, as well as studying at college or with a learning provider for a range of relevant qualifications including NVQs, key skills and Technical Certificates (BTECs).  

Used by approximately one quarter of 14- to 19-year-olds as part of their transition from school to work in the UK, Apprenticeships are becoming more and more popular. There are already 240,000 apprentices in England alone.  

How you will be assessed
An Apprenticeship is made up of three elements: 

1. An NVQ which allows you to demonstrate your competencies in the workplace and prove that you can do specific job-related tasks
2. A Technical Certificate (BTEC) which gives you the extra knowledge and understanding about the job you are training for
3. Key skills which cover more general work-related qualifications such as communication, team working, problem solving and using new technologies.

An Apprenticeship usually can take anything from 12 to 36 months to complete.  

Progression
When you complete an Apprenticeship, you’ll be able to show an employer that you have the skills and qualifications relevant to your chosen field, giving you the opportunity to progress to a more senior role.  

Many advanced apprentices use their Apprenticeship as a stepping stone to higher education or university, many on a part-time basis with their employer’s support.