Work-related qualifications, also called vocational qualifications, might be a good option for you if you've a clear idea of what job you want. Vocational courses focus on doing things and learning practical skills.
In this section we list some of the main work-related 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
They come in three levels: 1, 2 and 3, with 3 being the highest. You can do entry level courses in work-related subjects like hairdressing or office practice, or in academic subjects like English and maths.
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 finding an entry level course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search the Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) in vocational subjects
GCSEs in vocational subjects, also known as Applied GCSEs, prepare you for further vocational study or work. You get an introduction to an area of work such as art and design, leisure and tourism, and health and social care. GCSEs in vocational subjects are usually double awards, and so are equivalent to two GCSEs. You are assessed mainly by coursework.
If you need help finding an Applied GCSE course call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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With the new Diploma qualification you can get a combination of practical, hands-on experience and classroom learning. Diplomas can lead to work or university because they aim to give you the skills employers and universities want. The Diploma is flexible, so you can combine it with studying GCSEs and A levels.
From Sept 2009 these Diploma subjects have been available at selected schools and colleges:
- Business Administration and Finance
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Creative and Media
- Engineering
- Environmental and Land-based Studies
- Hair and Beauty Studies
- Hospitality
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing and Product Design
- Society, Health and Development.
More subject areas will be added over the coming years, until the full range of 17 is available to all students in 2013.
On each Diploma you study:
- compulsory units
- optional units, which can be in the same subject or different ones
- essential skills like English, maths and ICT
- personal development and employability skills.
You also complete a project and get practical experience in the workplace.
You can study Diplomas at three levels: Foundation, Higher and Advanced. Each level takes two years.
After completing a Foundation or Higher Diploma your options are: move on to the next level of Diploma; study a different course like GCSEs or A levels; move on to a training scheme like an Apprenticeship; or take your skills into a job offering further training.
After completing an Advanced Diploma you could move into a job or go to university. There’s also a Progression Diploma, which is at the same level as the Advanced Diploma but shorter.
You can find out more about Diplomas on the Directgov website. If you need help finding a Diploma you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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Applied A levels
Applied A levels are vocational qualifications that prepare you for work or higher education. They are the next qualification up from GCSEs and BTEC First Certificates and Diplomas. They're work-related courses in broad work sectors like Applied Business, Engineering, and Applied Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Applied A levels have replaced the Advanced GNVQ. They're assessed mainly by coursework.
As with standard A levels, you do AS units in the first half of the course, A2 units in the second half, with each part contributing 50% of the total marks. Three units is an AS level, six units is an A level or a Double Award AS level, and 12 units is a Double Award A level.
You can do Applied A Levels in:
- Engineering
- Media: Communication and Production
- Performing Arts
- Leisure and Recreation
- Applied Art and Design
- Applied Business
- Health and Social Care
- Applied ICT
- Travel and Tourism
- Applied Science
You can find out more about Applied A levels on the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency website.
If you need help finding Applied A levels you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
NVQs prove you can do a particular job. Getting an NVQ means that you have the skills, knowledge and understanding to perform effectively in a job. There are hundreds of NVQs in subjects as varied as Animal Care, Radio Production and Weather Forecasting. They come in five levels.
You put together a portfolio of evidence that proves you can do a job. You gather this evidence by attending workshops and being assessed on the job. Each NVQ is divided into units, which make up the different aspects of a job. You do each unit in turn, and after you've completed enough you're awarded the full NVQ.
Employers create the units and standards. NVQs are often part of on-the-job training schemes, such as Apprenticeships and New Deal schemes.
You can claim Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) with NVQs. This can come from previous work experience as well as formal learning.
You can find out more about NVQs on the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency website.
If you need help finding an NVQ you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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BTEC First and National qualifications
BTEC First and National qualifications are further education qualifications, like A levels and Applied A levels. They can be an introduction to broad vocational areas, such as retail or construction; or be linked more to specific jobs, such as hairdressing.
They can be full- or part-time. The higher levels of BTEC courses are equivalent to one A level or more and can get you into higher education. These are the main BTEC courses:
- BTEC Entry Level Certificate
- BTEC Introductory Certificate/Diploma
- BTEC First Certificate/Diploma
- BTEC National Award - equivalent to one A level
- BTEC National Certificate - equivalent to two A levels
- BTEC National Diploma - equivalent to three A levels
You can find out more about BTECs on the Edexcel website.
If you need help finding a BTEC course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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BTEC Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Diplomas (HNDs)
BTEC HNCs/Ds are higher education qualifications, like degrees. Unlike degrees they're only available in vocational subjects; they are closely linked to the world of work.
They're a mixture of theory and practice, and will prepare you for work at a technical, supervisory or management level.
HNDs are usually two years full-time, but there are a few part-time ones available, which will take longer. When you have finished an HNC or HND, you can top up your qualification to a degree by finding a university that offers a degree with a similar subject syllabus to your higher national qualification. You'll do an extra one or two years to top up to a degree, depending on how closely the syllabuses match.
You can find out more about BTECs on the Edexcel website.
If you need help finding a BTEC course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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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 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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Professional qualifications and professional bodies
Almost every profession has a range of qualifications you can take to get promotion or to gain entry to the relevant professional body. An example is the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) qualifications in human resources, which are one of the main ways to get on in the profession.
If you have a relevant academic or vocational qualification you might get exemption from parts of some professional qualifications; or get a certain level of membership of the professional body.
Contact the relevant professional body for more information about their qualifications and membership rules. If you need any help, call us on 0800 100 900 – we can put you in touch with the professional body for the area you're interested in.
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City & Guilds
City & Guilds is an awarding body and their vocational qualifications are run by colleges and training providers in the UK and worldwide. These qualifications show that you’ve got the skills to do a job. You can learn a wide range of work skills, from interior decorating to library and information services. You can do them at entry level, levels 1 through 5, and there are also levels of City and Guilds membership that are higher than level 5.
You can find out more on the City & Guilds website.
If you need help finding a City & Guilds course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
OCR offers a range of flexible general and work-related qualifications. Their general qualifications include exam-based qualifications like GCSEs and A levels. Their work-related qualifications include subjects like bookkeeping and retail.
You can find out more on the OCR website.
If you need help finding an OCR course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
LCCI offers business-related qualifications in subjects like secretarial skills, marketing, and accounting.
You can find out more on the LCCI website.
If you need help finding an LCCI course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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National Open College Network
National Open College Network (NOCN) accredits (approves and validates) adult learning qualifications. It's a recognised national qualification awarding body and is the central organisation for the 11 regional Open College Networks (OCNs) across the UK. Their courses are run by colleges and learning centres.
OCNs offer almost 100 courses at levels ranging from entry level to level 3. Subjects include health and social care, crafts, creative arts and design, foundations for learning and life, and preparation for work.
Their programmes are flexible and enable you to choose units, and accumulate and transfer credits, according to your needs. You can use the units you've completed to move onto higher courses or as evidence to an employer that you have certain skills or knowledge.
Find out more on the National Open College Network website.
If you need help finding an NOCN course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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NCFE
NCFE is a UK-wide awarding body offering qualifications from pre-entry level up to and including level 4. NCFE offers a wide variety of subjects including arts, media, publishing, and education and training.
Colleges, private training providers, adult education centres, community groups, schools and businesses all offer NCFE qualifications, schemes and awards. You can use these flexible courses to move on to higher learning or to move into employment.
You can find out more on the NCFE website.
If you need help finding an NCFE course you can call us free on 0800 100 900, search our Learning Directory or email an adviser.
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