There are also a range of different qualifications for both further and higher education students.  For further education students, the main types of qualifications include:

GCSE

Predominantly offered in schools but they constitute a large part of a college’s offer, too.  These qualifications tend to be more academic in their focus and are assessed via coursework and examinations.  Grades D to G are at level 1 with A* to C at level 2.

Advanced Level (AS/A2)

These qualifications are academic in focus and are assessed via a combination of coursework and exams.  Students tend to follow a subject at the AS level first and then move onto A2 – both of which are at level 3.

National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

As the name suggests, these qualifications are vocational in focus and are assessed via the generation of evidence which is usually presented in a portfolio.  Students following these qualifications tend to be in employment and the evidence for the portfolio is generated from workplace activities.  NVQs are offered from level 1 to level 5 in a wide range of vocational areas.

Access to Higher Education

These qualifications prepare students for study at university.  They are designed for people who would like to progress to higher education but who left school without the usual qualifications, such as A levels or BTECs.  The courses are at level 3 and are assessed via coursework and exams.

BTEC

These qualifications are predominantly vocational in nature but many combine an academic element.  Unlike NVQs, these qualifications are predominantly assessed via coursework and they are offered at levels 1, 2 and 3.