Home » Skills » Qualification Guide

Qualification Guide

Confused by qualifications? Use this guide to find out what qualifications are available in the Heart of the South West.

Types of qualification

GCSE
A Level
A/S Level
BTEC
TechBac
T Level
NVQ
Functional Skills
Core Skills
Essential Skills
Traineeships
ILM
IEQ

With so many qualification levels and descriptions it can sometimes feel challenging. As a starting point we have put together an overview of the levels and types of courses that you can choose from.

Please note: this is not a full list and qualifications available may change.

There are 9 qualification levels

Entry Level

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels – 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

If you’ve no prior experience and you don’t feel confident about your abilities, then this level could be a good place to start.

entry level award
entry level certificate (ELC)
entry level diploma
entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
entry level functional skills

Level 1

If you’re just starting out or are new to the subject area, this could be a good place to start.

first certificate
GCSE – grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
level 1 award
level 1 certificate
level 1 diploma
level 1 ESOL
level 1 essential skills
level 1 functional skills
level 1 national vocational qualification (NVQ)

Level 2

You will need to have previous experience of the subject.

GCSE – grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
intermediate apprenticeship
level 2 award
level 2 certificate
level 2 diploma
level 2 ESOL
level 2 functional skills
level 2 national certificate
level 2 national diploma
level 2 NVQO level – grade A, B or C

Level 3

You will cover more complex work.

A level
access to higher education diploma
advanced apprenticeship
applied general
AS level
international Baccalaureate diploma
level 3 award
level 3 certificate
level 3 diploma
level 3 national certificate
level 3 national diploma
level 3 NVQ

Level 4

certificate of higher education (CertHE)
higher apprenticeship
higher national certificate (HNC)
level 4 award
level 4 certificate
level 4 diploma
level 4 NVQ

Level 5

diploma of higher education (DipHE)
foundation degree
higher national diploma (HND)
level 5 award
level 5 certificate
level 5 diploma
level 5 NVQ

Level 6

degree apprenticeship
degree with honours – for example bachelor of the arts (BA) hons, bachelor of science (BSc) hons
graduate certificate
graduate diploma
level 6 award
level 6 certificate
level 6 diploma
level 6 NVQ
ordinary degree without honours

Level 7

integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering (MEng)
level 7 award
level 7 certificate
level 7 diploma
level 7 NVQ
master’s degree, for example master of arts (MA), master of science (MSc)
postgraduate certificate
postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
postgraduate diploma

Level 8

doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
level 8 award
level 8 certificate
level 8 diploma

Please note: for progression onto higher lever courses you may have to prove existing knowledge, or have completed previous qualification levels to be eligible for the course.

GCSE converter table

GCSE 9-1 grades - a guide for parents

Qualifications across the world

If you are entering the country and need to find your equivalent qualifications UK Naric can help you with a statement of comparability

“This service is for you if you need to evidence the level of your overseas qualification for employment, study, professional registration or another reason.”

Note: this is a payable service.

www.naric.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC