General Routes

General Qualifications

Whatever you want to do in life, there is a qualification to help you do it. The important thing is to choose the right qualifications at the right time. To do this you need to know about the different type of qualifications, some are subject-based, some work-related and some are job-related.

In addition to apprenticeships, foundation learning and diplomas there are a range of other qualification-types:

Click on a link to learn more: AS and A Levels, BTECS and other Vocational Qualifications, GCSEs, International Baccalaureate (IB), NVQs

AS and A Levels

AS and A levels are one of the national learning routes for all 14 to 19 year olds. Most A Level courses last two years. An A Level is a General Certificate of Education (Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary Level). Over 80 subjects are available at A level.

Most A Levels are split into four units. You study Advanced Subsidiary (AS) units in the first year. If you study a subject for one year and pass the AS units, you gain an AS Level qualification. You study A2 units in your second year.

Each AS and A2 unit is assessed separately through a mix of internal assessment and examinations. Many people study three or four subjects in the first year, then decide which to continue studying in the second year.

From 2010 A Levels will be graded from A*-E. An A* grade at A2 recognises the highest levels of achievement.

You can do an Extended Project qualification (worth half an A Level) alongside your A Levels. An Extended Project helps you to develop independent research and study skills that will be useful in Higher Education and employment.

Why choose A levels?
The A Level route gives you the opportunity to study more than one subject and study subjects in which you are interested in in depth.

You will need to be confident you can meet the entry requirements for the course. Most A Level courses ask for four or five GCSEs at grade C or above, or the equivalent and you may need to have studied and achieved good grades in particular subjects.

If you have a particular Higher Education course or career in mind you need to check the entry requirements. For instance engineering degrees normally require Mathematics at A Level. Some courses require GCSEs in Mathematics or English. Universities and colleges set out their preferences for entry to courses in terms of particular subjects as well as their grade requirements.

Where will A Levels lead?

  • an Apprenticeship
  • a job that includes further training with your employer
  • a vocational course that will qualify you to do a specific job
  • A Levels prepare you for Higher Education and employment

BTECs and other Vocational Qualifications

If you want to learn more about a particular job or area of work, there are many vocational qualifications to choose from. Examples include BTECs, City & Guilds qualifications and OCR Nationals.

BTECs, City & Guilds and OCR Nationals are particular types of work-related qualifications, available in a wide range of subjects.

You can take one if you are interested in learning more about a particular sector or industry. They have been designed in collaboration with industry, so they can equip you with the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for and have a mix of theory and practice plus an element of work experience. They can take the form of (or be part of) a technical certificate, one of the key components of an Apprenticeship.

BTECs, City & Guilds and OCR Nationals are available in a wide range of subjects, including:

  • art and design
  • business
  • health and social care
  • information technology
  • media
  • public services
  • science
  • sport

They are usually studied full-time at college or sometimes at school (or in collaboration between a school and college). You can also take them part-time at college.

They are mainly taken by learners over 16, although some schools offer them to 14 to 16 year olds, normally in combination with other qualifications such as GCSEs or Key Skills.
Generally, you are assessed by your teacher or trainer in your place of study. Depending on the qualification you choose, some assessment may also be done by external examiners.You will complete a range of assignments, case studies and practical activities, as well as a portfolio of evidence that shows the work you have completed.

Vocational qualifications such as BTECs, City & Guilds and OCR Nationals can lead to a job or further study.For example, you could progress from a qualification at one level to higher levels in the same or related area of study.

GCSEs

GCSEs are the main qualification for learners aged 14 to 16 who opt for the General Qualifications learning route. Adults may also study GCSEs for personal interest, to improve job prospects or meet higher education course entry requirements.

Schools and Colleges decide which GCSE courses to offer, choosing from over 50 subjects ranging from English and mathematics to archaeology, citizenship studies and engineering. The types of courses available include:

  • GCSE – one full GCSE, often called a single award
  • Short course GCSE – often called a half GCSE
  • Double award GCSE – the equivalent of two full GCSEs

Most courses last 2 years and involve theoretical study and subject-based investigations. Applied subjects such as engineering require learners to use their subject knowledge and skills in work-related contexts.

Assessment is through a mix of written exams and internal assessment. Achievement is graded A* to G. Most jobs (including Apprenticeships) and many post16 courses require a minimum of five GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and mathematics

Learners can use GCSEs to meet the entry requirements for jobs, training programmes and courses at the same or higher level.

International Baccalaureate

If you want to study a wide range of subjects at a detailed level, the International Baccalaureate Diploma may be for you. It's designed for highly motivated students, and is offered by a growing number of schools and colleges.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an internationally recognised qualification for students aged 16 to 19. It is based around detailed academic study of a wide range of subjects, including languages, the arts, science, maths, history and geography.
It leads to a single qualification, rather than separate qualifications for individual subjects. However if you don't achieve the full diploma, you'll be awarded a certificate for each subject taken.
It's available in more than 100 schools and colleges in the UK, both state and independent, and can be taken in English, French or Spanish. It's designed to encourage you to:

  • learn how to learn
  • ask challenging questions
  • develop a strong sense of your own identity and culture
  • develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures

The IB Diploma Programme is made up of a compulsory 'core', plus six separate subjects where you have some choice over what you study.

Compulsory core
The compulsory core contains three elements:

  • theory of knowledge: you'll learn about the bases of knowledge, and how to analyse evidence and express yourself in rational argument; you'll also be encouraged to draw on experiences you've gained outside the classroom
  • creativity, action and service: this part of the programme encourages you to get involved in theatre or music activities, sports and/or community service
  • extended essay: you'll investigate a particular topic of interest and be asked to write a 4,000 word essay about it

Optional subjects
As well as the three core elements, you'll also select one subject from each of the following six areas:

  • first language (normally your mother tongue)
  • second language (this could be a language you already study, or a new one)
  • experimental sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, design technology)
  • mathematics and computer science
  • the arts (visual, music and theatre)
  • individuals and society (history, psychology, geography)

Normally, you'll study three of your six optional subjects at a ' higher' level (240 teaching hours per subject), and the other three at a 'standard' level (150 teaching hours). However, you can also opt to take four subjects at the higher level and two at the standard level.
Most of the assessment is done through exams, marked externally. However, in nearly all subjects, some of the assessment is carried out by your teachers, who mark individual pieces of coursework.
The Diploma normally takes two years to complete, with exams taking place in May and November.

Points
You are awarded points for each part of the programme, up to a maximum of 45:

  • up to seven points for each of the six optional subjects you take
  • up to three points from your performance in the core elements

To achieve a full diploma, you must score 24 points or more.

UCAS Tariff
Successfully completing the Diploma earns points on the 'UCAS Tariff' for getting into higher education.
An IB Diploma total of 24 points is worth 260 UCAS points - the same as a 'B' and two 'C' grades at A level.
The maximum of 45 points earns 720 UCAS points - equivalent to six A levels at grade 'A'.

Most students who take the IB Diploma Programme go on to higher education; the qualification is recognised by universities in more than 100 countries. However, you may be asked to gain a certain number of points at the 'higher' level in specific subjects if you want to study a particular course.
You could also use the qualification as the route to a job, or to work-based training.

NVQs

If you want to get a recognised qualification related to a particular industry or sector, an NVQ may be for you. You can study NVQs at work, college, or as part of an Apprenticeship.

NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. It is a 'competence-based' qualification: this means you learn practical, work-related tasks designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively.

NVQs are based on national standards for various occupations. The standards say what a competent person in a job could be expected to do. As you progress through the course, you compare your skills and knowledge with these standards as you learn, so you can see what you need to do to meet them.Taking an NVQ could be appropriate if you already have skills and want to improve them, or if you are starting from scratch.

NVQs are available to adults and young people alike. You can take NVQs if:

  • you are employed
  • you are studying at college and have a part-time job or access to a work placement

You can also take an NVQ qualification at level 2 or 3 as part of an Apprenticeship. In some cases you can also do an NVQ if you are at school.

There are lots of different NVQs to choose from. They are available in the vast majority of business sectors, including:

  • business and administration
  • sales, marketing and distribution
  • health and social care
  • food, catering and leisure services
  • construction and property
  • manufacturing, production and engineering

Course length
Within reason, there is no maximum time limit to complete an NVQ; it is designed to be taken at a pace that suits your needs. However, many learners take about one year to complete an NVQ at level 1 and 2, and around two years for an NVQ at level 3.

NVQs are assessed on practical assignments and a portfolio of evidence. Normally, a qualified assessor will observe you and question you about the real work you carry out in the workplace (or a realistic working environment). They will test your knowledge and understanding as well as your actual performance.Your assessor will 'sign-off' individual units within the NVQ when you have reached the required standard.

Completing an NVQ can lead to further training at the next NVQ level. You could go all the way to a level 5 NVQ and/or professional qualifications, usually in a related area.If you've studied an NVQ at level 3, you could also go on to a higher education course in a related vocational area, such as a:

  • Higher National Certificate
  • Higher National Diploma
  • Foundation Degree
  • other vocational specialism