Academic courses can be called ‘exam-based’ or ‘class-based’ courses and are usually about learning theories, ideas and facts. These courses give you knowledge in a subject area.
You can study academic courses at further education colleges, adult education or community colleges, or as open and distance learning courses (also known as correspondence or home study courses).
In this section we list some of the main academic qualifications. If you want information on a qualification that isn’t in this list you can call our Advice Line on 0800 100 900.
Entry level qualifications
Enrty level courses prepare you for courses such as GCSEs, NVQ Level 1 and BTEC Introductory.
They come in three levels: 1, 2 and 3, with 3 being the highest. You can do entry level courses in academic subjects like English and maths, or work-related subjects like hairdressing or office practice.
Courses are split into units – some are compulsory and some are optional. They're very flexible, so you can whizz through them or take your time. They can help you back into learning if you haven't done any for a while.
Find out more about entry level qualifications from the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency.
If you need help to find an entry level course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education)
These are the standard qualifications achieved by 16 year olds. They are also open to adults.
Choose from English, maths and sciences, Italian, human physiology and many more. GCSEs are assessed by coursework and exams, and grades are from A* to G.
Having GCSEs shows you have a good standard of general education. GCSEs are useful for a number of reasons:
- to re-enter learning after a period out of education
- for evidence of recent study, needed for an access, further or higher education course
- to get the five GCSE grades A-C that many employers ask for (particularly grade C or above in English and Maths).
- to study for the pleasure of learning.
Courses may be full- or part-time - check with the course provider for details.
Find out more about GCSEs on Directgov.
If you need help to find a GCSE course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) levels
A levels and AS levels enable you to study a subject in more detail than GCSE level. They are typically used to get into university but they’re valued by employers in their own right.
A levels are normally divided into four units. You get an AS level for completing the first two units and an A level for completing four. An AS level is a qualification in its own right and will help you to get into university. The first two units are called AS units and the second two are called A2 units.
A levels are graded from A* to E.
You can find out more about A levels and AS levels on the Ofqual website.
If you need help to find an A level or AS level course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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AEAs (Advanced Extension Awards)
AEAs go into greater depth than standard A levels and they are intended to challenge the most able pupils. They were withdrawn in June 2009, except in Mathematics, where you will be able to study an AEA until at least 2013.
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International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate is available in three levels: Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme. State schools, public schools, private schools and international schools offer IB programmes. The Primary Years and Middle Years programmes are aimed at children aged 3 to 16.
The Diploma Programme is a two year course which prepares 16 to 19 year olds for university study. IB Diploma Programmes are accepted by universities in over 110 countries and can be taught in English, French and Spanish. Over 100 universities in the UK accept them for entry onto degrees.
The course covers six areas: language (native), second language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, and the arts.
Students can move from a participating school in one country to a participating school in another country, but they are of equal value to those who remain in one country.
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Access courses
Access courses can be a way into university for adults aged 19 or over who have no formal qualifications. Their purpose is to demonstrate your ability to study at higher education level. You can use an Access course as a way into university, for personal development, or to prepare you for work. The courses usually contain training in basic skills and study skills.
Access to Higher Education courses offer modules in different subjects. Subject-specific Access courses, such as Access to Teaching, can prepare you for a Teaching degree.
Access courses are run at further education colleges and adult education centres, have no entry requirements and can be full-time or part-time. You can find out more about Access courses on the Access to HE website.
If you need help to find an Access course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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Return to learning courses
Return to learning courses are similar to Access courses and help you back into learning. They focus on literacy, numeracy and computer skills and prepare you for higher education or employment.
Find out more about these by contacting your local further education college or adult education centre.
If you need help to find a return to learning course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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Degrees
Higher education degrees can be academic or vocational (work-based). Some degrees are more vocational than others and are a step towards qualifying in certain professions: law, teaching and accountancy for example.
If you study full-time they normally take three or four years. The four year courses are often sandwich courses, with a year's work experience or placement in addition to three years’ study. A handful of universities also offer two year 'fast track' honours degrees.
Depending on the subject, if you complete the course you'll be awarded a degree such as BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science), BEd (Bachelor of Education), LLB (Bachelor of Law) and BEng (Bachelor of Engineering). You'll also be offered a grade: a first class, second class (2:1 or 2:2), third class, pass, or fail.
Universities mainly run degrees, although some further education (FE) colleges offer them. FE colleges might run the whole degree course, or have an arrangement whereby you attend the first year of it at the college before moving on to complete the course at a university.
You can get credit for studying parts of a degree under the CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme). You can transfer these credits to another course, so if you don't complete your degree you won't have to start again from scratch.
Find out about degrees at UCAS.
If you need help to find a degree course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the Learning Directory or send an email.
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Foundation Degrees
Foundation degrees are designed to meet the needs of business, giving you the skills employers need.
Similar to BTEC HND courses, they are two years full-time or longer part-time. Most foundation degree students are working and study part-time to move on in their career. Foundation degrees are qualifications in their own right, but you can also top them up to a full degree by transferring onto a degree course in a similar subject after completing the course. You can also move onto professional qualifications.
There are no entry requirements - it's up to universities to decide whether they think you've got the potential to study at higher education level.
For more information visit the Find Foundation Degree website.
If you need help finding a foundation degree you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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Diplomas of Higher Education (Dip HEs)
A Dip HE is a higher education qualification, usually run full-time over two years. It can be equivalent in standard to the first two years of a first degree, and if a university offers the CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme) you can top up your learning at a later stage to gain a degree.
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Higher degrees
Higher or postgraduate degrees are the next step up from a degree. You might do one of these courses immediately after a degree, to explore a subject in more depth and gain a higher qualification.
There are two types of higher degree: Master's degrees or doctorate degrees.
Masters degrees are usually taught programmes that include some research. They usually take one year full-time or two years part-time.
Master of Philosophy (Mphil) courses generally involve more research and can last up to three years if studies full-time.
If you complete a masters you'll be awarded a type of qualification, depending on the subject such as MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science), MBA (Master of Business Administration) and MEng (Master of Engineering).
You can get a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) if you complete several years of original research. They take at least three years full-time and longer part-time. You negotiate your research programme with lecturers in university research departments.
You can find out more about higher degrees on the Hobsons Postgrad website.
If you need help finding a higher degree course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme)
Many universities and colleges teach courses where you complete modules or units, which are equivalent to a certain number of credits. You work towards a target number of credits, which lead towards the full qualification, such as a degree or diploma.
CATS allows you to move your credits from one university or college to another. So if you have to stop your course or move to a different university or college, you can pick up from where you left off and you don’t have to repeat modules or units.
Many types of learning are now accepted within CATS: full- and part-time learning, open and distance learning, professional qualifications and private training.
At the moment there isn’t one central organisation that deals with CATS enquiries. Contact your course provider for more information.
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APL and APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning and Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning)
You can get Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for learning or qualifications you've already done. Accreditation of Prior end Experiential Learning (APEL) is for experience that proves you have certain knowledge or skills.
To claim APL/APEL you'll have to submit a portfolio of evidence showing how your prior learning or experience relates to the parts of the course you're hoping to get exemption from.
If you contact the institution you intend to study at they’ll tell you whether it's worth you applying for APL/APEL and whether the service will cost you anything.
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Overseas qualifications
If you have overseas qualifications the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) can determine what they are equivalent to in the UK. They can advise you free of charge over the telephone, but they charge a fee for written assessments.
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