Qualifications
What’s on offer?
There are lots of different vocational courses and qualifications young people can choose from. Here's a guide to just some of the ones that may be on offer in your local area.
For information about the full range of courses available, we recommend young people talk to their careers co-ordinator, teacher, tutor or Connexions Personal Adviser. Alternatively, they can check out their local online prospectus to find a specific course in their area.
Check out possible qualification routes
To find out more about specific qualifications, select them from the list below.
Vocational GCSEs
As well as traditional school subjects like Maths, French and History, GCSEs are also offered in a number of vocational subjects. Vocational GCSEs are graded A*-G, but most are Double Awards - a bit like Dual Science. That means they're worth the same as two single GCSE subjects.
Unlike traditional subjects, vocational GCSEs often include group projects, practical activities and visits to employers. They are usually assessed through coursework and provide a valuable insight into the world of work.
What subjects can be studied?
Some of the vocational GCSEs available are:
Applied Art and Design
Applied Business
Applied ICT
Applied Science
Engineering
Health and Social Care
Leisure and Tourism
Manufacturing
Construction and the Built Environment.
NVQs
If students want to get a recognised qualification related to a particular industry or sector, an NVQ may be suitable. NVQs, or National Vocational Qualifications, are available in lots of vocational subjects, including Catering, Hairdressing and Engineering.
Young people can take an NVQ if they already have skills and want to improve them, or if they are starting from scratch. NVQs can be studied from Level 1 (equivalent to a GCSE at grade D-G) up to NVQ Level 5 (manager/supervisor level), depending how far they want to take their qualifications and the range of subjects they choose to study.
On the whole, NVQs are more practical than traditional GCSEs and A levels, but they do contain some theory. To get a full NVQ qualification, the candidate will need to have some real-life experience in the workplace, so most NVQs include practical work experience.
Many schools offer NVQs alongside GCSEs, or students may prefer to study NVQs at work, college or as part of an Apprenticeship.
Young Apprenticeships
Able and well-motivated students may have the option to pursue general or industry-specific vocational programmes outside school, in partnership with employers and involving extended work placements. The Young Apprenticeships route links into this, offering the chance to pursue Apprenticeships post-16.
Young Apprenticeships provide high-quality, extended experience of work coupled with a Level 2 qualification that is nationally recognised both by employers and the further and higher education sectors.
Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships
On an Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship, young people are based with an employer while they study for qualifications through a training provider. They benefit by getting:
- a nationally recognised qualification (generally at Level 2, or Level 3 for Advanced Apprenticeships), eg an NVQ
- Key skills qualifications
- Technical certificates
- a wage (this varies but it should be at least £80 a week)
Advanced Apprenticeships generally requires 4 GCSEs at grades A-C or equivalent, but entry requirements can vary depending on the employer or training provider.
BTECs and OCR Nationals
Interested in learning more about a specific sector or industry? Then a BTEC or an OCR National could be appropriate.
BTECs and OCR Nationals are practical, work-related qualifications. They are available in a wide range of subjects and many are designed with the help of employers to equip people with the skills and knowledge they are looking for.
They offer a mix of theory and practice and can include an element of work experience. BTECs and OCR Nationals can take the form of, or be part of, a technical certificate, which is one of the key components of an Apprenticeship.
What subjects can be studied?
BTECs and OCR Nationals are available in a variety of subjects including:
Art and Design
Business
Health and Social Care
Information Technology
Media
Public Services
Science
Sport.
BTECs and OCR Nationals are usually studied full-time at college but sometimes at school or with another learning provider. You can also study a BTEC or OCR National part-time at college.
Who can take them?
These qualifications are mainly taken by learners over 16, although some schools offer them to 14 to 16-year-olds alongside other qualifications like GCSEs or key skills.
Vocational A levels
A levels are the equivalent of Level 3 qualifications on theNational Qualifications Framework. They are usually studied as two-year courses by students who are over 16.
A number of vocational A levels were introduced in September 2005, replacing Vocational Certificates of Education (VCEs). Each A level focuses on a specific sector, for example travel and tourism or engineering.
What subjects can be studied?
Vocational A levels are available in around 80 different subjects including:
Applied Art and Design
Applied Business
Applied ICT
Applied Science
Engineering
Health and Social Care
Leisure Studies
Media: Communication and Production
Performing Arts
Travel and Tourism.
Diplomas
From September 2008, young people in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham will be able to study a new Diploma qualification.
Diplomas are part of a national government programme to widen the choice of courses for young people. The Diplomas will give young people a fully rounded qualification, which combines academic study with practical experience of employment sectors and includes functional English, Maths and ICT.
The new qualifications are the most important changes to the country's education system since the introduction of GCSEs. They will offer excellent preparation into further and higher education or for young people whose preferred pathway to a successful career is through an Apprenticeship.
Diplomas will be available in schools and colleges as a national entitlement from 2013 but in some areas of South Yorkshire students will be able to have the option of taking Diplomas in some subjects from 2008:
Another five subjects will be launched in September 2009. These will be Environmental and Land Based Studies, Business Administration and Finance, Manufacturing and Product Design, Hospitality and Catering and Hair and Beauty.
A further four subjects will be available in 2010. These subject areas will be Travel and Tourism, Public Services, Sport and Leisure and Retail.
Levels of Diploma
There are three levels of Diploma. Starting in years 10 or 12:
- The Foundation Diploma takes broadly the same time to do as four or five GCSEs.
- The Higher Diploma takes broadly the same time to do as five or six GCSEs.
Starting in Year 12 or above (around the age of 16):
- The Advanced Diploma takes broadly the same time to do as three A levels. A Progression Diploma will also be available, which takes broadly the same time as two A levels.
- Foundation and Higher Diploma students can continue with education or take their new skills into employment. They can also study for the next level of Diploma, or take a different type of qualification such as GCSEs, A levels, an Advanced Apprenticeship, a BTEC or an NVQ.
What they study
All Diploma students study the same core elements but in more or less detail depending on the level.
Along with core elements, students will also learn how to work with other people and express themselves confidently in a work environment. And at the end, students complete a final Student Project to show that they can apply the skills they've learnt in a work context.
Diploma students also develop a good standard of functional English, maths and ICT. This broad mix of knowledge, understanding and skills will equip students for college and university or employment.
For more detail about Diplomas visit http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/
Information Technology
Students taking a Diploma in IT will complete a series of compulsory and optional elements, all designed to give them valuable knowledge, skills and experience.
Compulsory elements
In line with the demands of the modern IT profession, the Diploma in Information Technology focuses on three main themes: Business, People and Technology.
- Business: how organisations work and the role technology can play.
- People: how to work well with other people.
- Technology: how to create technology solutions.
Levels of Diploma
Students with a Foundation Diploma in Information Technology will have a basic knowledge of technology as it is used in the work environment, and related practical skills.
Students with a Higher Diploma in Information Technology will develop deeper understanding and skills, exploring the potential of technology and developing systems to meet a specific need.
An Advanced Diploma in Information Technology provides an excellent grounding in technology, including how to analyse business problems and how to design and run technology systems that help organisations and individuals. There is a particular emphasis on learning how to communicate and operate professionally in a modern work environment.
Find out where Diplomas are available in your area
Construction and the Built Environment
Students taking a Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment will complete a series of compulsory and optional elements, all designed to give them knowledge, skills and experience.
Compulsory elements
- Design the Built Environment explores the nature of the built environment, factors that influence its design and construction and its impact on people and communities. It also examines how history, politics and economics affect our built environment.
- Create the Built Environment looks at what different people in the industry do, and helps students to develop a range of skills and knowledge needed to create the built environment.
- Value and Use of the Built Environment analyses maintenance and management requirements and how built structures affect the community that uses them.
Levels of Diploma
Find out where Diplomas are available in your area
Creative and Media
Students taking a Diploma in Creative and Media will complete a series of compulsory and optional courses, all designed to give them valuable knowledge, skills and experience.
Compulsory Elements
All the Creative and Media Diploma courses teach students to be aware of their surroundings and how this can affect what they create. The course encourages students to think and work creatively, giving them the practical skills to bring their ideas to life.
A focus on Creative Businesses and Enterprise places creative work within a business context and teaches students the skills to succeed at work.
Levels of Diploma
Find out where Diplomas are available in your area
Engineering
Students taking a Diploma in Engineering will complete a series of compulsory and optional elements, all designed to give them knowledge, skills and experience.
Compulsory elements
Compulsory elements in engineering include:
- The Engineered World looks at the importance of engineering in the modern world and the impact engineering has on the way we live our lives.
- Discovering Engineering Technology introduces basic engineering principles such as design, materials, electronics systems, maintenance and manufacturing.
- Engineering the Future looks at what makes innovations succeed, how new materials contribute to design and how to develop and launch new ideas. This part of the course gives students the chance to explore their own creative approaches.
Students will also be asked to tackle a wide variety of different projects, such as:
- What part could engineering play in reducing energy bills?
- Engineering advances in telecommunications.
- Changing peoples' lives for the better.
- How can engineering improve the lives of people with disabilities?
Levels of Diploma
Find out where Diplomas are available in your area
Society, Health & Development
Students taking a Diploma in Society, Health and Development will complete a series of compulsory and optional elements, all designed to give them knowledge, skills and experience.
Compulsory elements
At Foundation level, students will study eight topics to give them a broad understanding of the sector and the way it works. Examples include the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of individuals and an introduction to partnership working, which looks at the ways in which agencies work together to provide services.
Higher-level students are introduced to the work of the different professions in more detail. For example, students may look at patient care or patterns of offending behavior, and the factors that can lead to this.
Levels of Diploma
Find out where Diplomas are available in your area
Other Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs)
There is also a wide range of practical, work-related Certificates and Awards in subjects such as Animal Care, Construction, Motor Vehicle Repair and Catering that can be studied.
Key/functional skills
Basic numeracy and literacy, including computer literacy and good communication skills are amongst the key transferable skills required by employers. Wider key skills include improving your own learning and performance, working with others and problem solving.
Entry level qualifications
These are the first recognised qualifications on theNational Qualifications Framework. They cover a variety of areas, including academic and vocational subjects and life skills. Entry level qualifications provide an ideal grounding for GCSE, BTEC and NVQ qualifications. For some students they will be the most appropriate starting point to access other qualifications.
Foundation Degrees
Foundation Degrees are designed to give young people the specialist technical knowledge and skills needed at associate professional and higher technician level.
What next?
Use one of our online prospectuses to find what courses are availablein your area. If you've got any more questions about vocational qualifications, visit theQCA websiteor the Learning and Skills Network'svocational learning websitefor further information.
