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Qualifications explained

Qualifications: what the different levels mean

Want to know what your qualification's worth, and where it can lead? Our guide will point you in the right direction...

Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced levels

Academic qualifications, available in a wide range of subjects

Business and Technical Education Council (BTECs), Ordinary National Certificates (OCR) and other vocational qualifications

A guide to work-related qualifications

Bachelors degrees

Higher education qualifications, also known as 'ordinary' or 'first' degrees

Entry level qualifications

Ways to progress towards GCSEs and other qualifications

Foundation Degrees

Higher education qualifications that combine academic study with work-based learning

General Certificate of Secondary Education

The main academic qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds, and available to adults too

Work related learning and applied courses

A guide to work related GCSEs: short courses are equivalent to half a full GCSE

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)

Higher National Certificates and Diplomas: vocational higher education qualifications

Essential Skills

Qualfications to help you build your English and Maths Skills

Key Skills

Qualifications to help you develop skills to get on in work and life in general

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

NVQs can help you develop the skills to do a job effectively

Postgraduate qualifications

Postgraduate certificates, diplomas, masters degrees and doctorates