Qualifications explained

Regulated qualifications in , and are in one of the following frameworks:

 National Qualifications Framework (NQF)  Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)  Framework for Higher Qualifications (FHEQ)

The levels represent the difficulty of the qualification, Entry Level being the most basic and Level 8 the most advanced.

Level NQF examples QCF examples FHEQ Entry - Entry level certificate - Entry level: award, certificate, , - - Entry level Skills for Life -Entry Level Functional Skills -Entry Level Foundation Learning 1 - GCSE (grades D-G) - BTEC award, certificate and diploma - Key Skills level 1 level 1 - NVQ level 1 - Foundation Learning level 1 - Skills for Life level 1 - Functional Skills level 1 - Foundation diploma - OCR National 2 - GCSE (grades A*-C) - BTEC award, certificate and diploma - Key Skills level 2 level 2 - NVQ level 2 - Functional Skills level 2 - Skills for Life level 2 - 3 - AS and A level - BTEC award, certificate and diploma - Cambridge International award level 3

- International Baccalaureate - BTEC National - Key Skills level 3 - OCR National

- NVQ level 3 - Cambridge National - Advanced/ Progression diploma 4 - Certificate of - BTEC Professional award, certificate and - Certificate of higher education - Key Skills level 4 diploma level 4 - HNC - NVQ level 4

5 - HND - BTEC Professional award, certificate and - Diploma of higher education

- NVQ level 4 diploma level 5 - Diploma of - Higher diploma - HNC - - HND - HND 6 - NVQ level 4 - BTEC Advanced Professional award, - Bachelor’s degree certificate and diploma level 6 -

- 7 - BTEC Advanced Professional award, - BTEC Advanced Professional award, - Master’s degree certificate and diploma level 7 certificate and diploma level 7 - - Fellowship and fellowship diploma - - Postgraduate certificate - Postgraduate diploma

- NVQ level 5 8 - NVQs level 5 - Vocational qualifications level 8 -