QUALIFICATION
TIMESCALE
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NVQ’s are vocational
qualifications, based on a set of competences defined by industry. They demonstrate your ability to do a job
by compiling evidence against these competences. NVQ’s are proof that you have the necessary
skills and knowledge to do a job at a certain level. You can study for NVQ’s
through various training providers and at Further Education College. NVQ’s
are available from Levels 1 to 5. |
Normally 1-2 years but
individuals work at their own pace |
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GNVQ’s are vocational alternatives to traditional
academic qualifications (you can study for these at school and at
college). They develop the knowledge,
understanding and skills you need for areas of work and are designed to
prepare you for both employment and further education. They are available at Foundation and
Intermediate Levels. AVCE’s is the Advanced Vocational Certificate of
Education. They are available in
units. The six unit AVCE is equivalent
to one “A” Level and the 12 unit AVCE is equivalent to two “A" Levels. |
Foundation – 1 year Intermediate – 1 year Advanced
– 2 years |
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Normally
up to 1 year of study either part-time or full-time |
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GCSE courses are academic
and traditionally taken at school at the age of 16. Courses are also available to anyone at
Adult Education Centres and Further Education Colleges. GCSE attainment will
enable entry onto many certificate and diploma courses available in Further
Education Colleges. Some Higher
Education Courses e.g. Teaching, require GCSE English and Maths (and in some
cases Science) regardless of whatever higher level qualifications may have
been attained. |
Normally
1 year of study either part-time or full-time |
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A/S Level Courses (AS and A2)
enable staged attainment of an “A” Level qualification. Together attainment of AS and A2 is
equivalent to a full “A” Level. |
AS – 1 year A2
– 1 year |
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A Level
courses are academic and traditionally taken at school at the age of
17/18. These courses are also
available to anyone at Adult Education Centres and Further Education
Colleges. The “A” Level is the six
unit CSE made up of three AS units and three A2 units. A combination of A
Levels provides the traditional entry requirement for many degree level courses, although A Levels are no longer the only
entry qualification for degree level courses. |
1
– 2 years depending on mode of attendance |
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Access to Higher Education courses are available at Further Education Colleges
and are aimed at mature students (aged 20+) who did not attain the
traditional academic qualifications at school. Attainment of a suitable Access
qualification will usually ensure entry onto degree level courses. Look for
those Access courses, which are approved by the Quality Assurance Agency for
Higher Education (QAA). |
1
year |
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BTEC Certificate/Diplomas are available in a range of vocational subjects at
Further Education Colleges. These are at level 3 and offer a route into Higher
Education. |
2
years |
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HNC/HND courses
are at Level 4, which means they are Higher Education courses. The student can exit at Certificate Level
if they wish or progress onto Diploma Level.
Attainment of the Diploma may enable the student to transfer onto the
second year of a Degree Course (and in some cases onto the third year) |
HNC - 1 year HND – 2 years |
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HE Certificates/Diplomas are at Level 4, which means they are Higher
Education courses. The student can
exit at Certificate Level or progress onto Diploma Level. Attainment of the Diploma may enable the
student to transfer onto the second year of a Degree Course. |
HE Certificate - 1 year HE
Diploma – 2 years |
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Degree courses are studied in
HE institutions (Universities or |
3 years 4
years (with sandwich) |
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Post Graduate study can normally only be
undertaken once you have a degree or have vocational qualifications or
experience at an equivalent level. It
offers you the opportunity to specialise in an area of your subject. |
Minimum
1 year |
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