Adult and Higher Education
Qualifications Explained
The full-time courses in this guide are at levels 1, 2 and 3. Levels 4 and 5 are Higher Education courses, such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, Foundation Degrees and Degrees.
The following chart shows how the qualifications you may already have, or hope to get in the future, can provide the entry qualifications for progression on to levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 shown on the right.
| Where are you now? | Where you could be |
|
AS/A2 levels BTEC National Cert/Dip NVQ Level 3 Level 3 Advanced Diploma |
Level 4 Higher Education Foundation Degrees HNC HND Degree |
|
4 GCSE’s Grades A to C BTEC First Dip/Cert NVQ 2 Level 2 Higher Diploma |
Level 3 Advanced NVQ 3 AS/A2 Levels BTEC National Diploma/Certificate Level 3 Advanced Diploma |
|
GCSE- Grade D General Foundation Basic Skills Courses Level 1 Foundation Diploma |
NVQ 2 BTEC First Diploma Level 2 Higher Diploma |
|
No Formal Qualifications GCSE Grade E-G |
Level 1 Foundation General Foundation Basic Skills Courses Level 1 Foundation Diploma |
Jargon Buster
Here's a brief explanation of abbreviations and qualifications on this site:
CACHE - Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (formerly known as NNEB). Professional qualifications in childcare.
BTEC - Business and Technology Education Council. Courses that develop a broad range of skills in job-related areas. They are practical programmes and highly valued by employers.
PECI - Preparation for Employment in Construction Industries. A foundation level qualification which replaces the FAVE qualification. Designed as an introduction to construction for those who have little or no experience of the subject.
HNC - Higher National Certificates are available in a huge range of vocational subjects. They are studied part time over 2 years and can allow you to enter the second year of an honours degree.
HND - Higher National Diploma. Level 4 Higher Education courses sit between A-levels and a Degree. HNDs take 2 years’ full-time study and allow you to enter into the second or third year of an honours degree.
NVQ - National Vocational Qualification. Awarded for competent performance in work-based activities. Competence is proved by completing a range of practical tasks and skills and displaying underpinning technical knowledge.
IMI - Institute of the Motor Industry. The industry-led body which sets the qualifications and standards in motor vehicle technology.
Foundation Degrees - These are employment-related qualifications designed with employers to meet skill shortages. They are equivalent to the first two years of a degree. You can top up to an honours degree or study part time for a professional qualification.
