+ AS. BTEC National Diploma. NVQ Level 3. GCSE’s grade A-C. BTEC First Diploma GNVQ Intermediate. NVQ Level 2. GCSE grade D-G. BTEC Intro Diploma or GNVQ undation. NVQ Level 1. PostgraduateAimhigher...achieve Level Degree. HNC/HND Foundation more Degree ploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. A2 + AS. BTEC National Diploma. NVQ Level 3. GCSE’s grade C. BTEC First Diploma or GNVQ Intermediate. NVQ Level 2. GCSE grade D-G. BTEC ro Diploma or GNVQ Foundation. NVQ Level 1. Postgraduate Level Degree. HNC/HND undation Degree Diploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. A2 + AS. BTEC National Diploma. NVQ vel 3. GCSE’s grade A-C. BTEC First Diploma or GNVQ Intermediate. NVQ Level 2. SE grade D-G. BTEC Intro Diploma or GNVQ Foundation. NVQ Level 1. Postgraduate vel Degree. HNC/HND Foundation Degree Diploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. A2 + AS. BTEC tional Diploma. NVQ Level 3. GCSE’s grade A-C. BTEC First Diploma or GNVQ ermediate. NVQ Level 2. GCSE grade D-G. BTEC Intro Diploma or GNVQ Foundation. Q Level 1. Postgraduate Level Degree. 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NVQ Level 1. Postgraduate Level Degree. HNC/HND Foundation Degree ploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. A2 + AS. BTEC National Diploma. NVQ Level 3. GCSE’s grade C. BTEC First Diploma or GNVQ Intermediate. NVQ Level 2. GCSE grade D-G. BTEC ro Diploma or GNVQ Foundation. NVQ Level 1. Postgraduate Level Degree. HNC/HND undation Degree Diploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. A2 + AS. BTEC National Diploma. NVQ vel 3. GCSE’s grade A-C. BTEC First Diploma or GNVQ Intermediate. NVQ Level 2. SE grade D-G. BTEC Intro Diploma or GNVQ Foundation. NVQ Level 1. Postgraduate vel Degree. HNC/HND Foundation Degree Diploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. A2 + AS. BTEC tional Diploma. NVQ Level 3. GCSE’s grade A-C. BTEC First Diploma or GNVQ ermediate. NVQ Level 2. GCSE grade D-G. BTEC Intro Diploma or GNVQ Foundation. Q Level 1. Postgraduate Level Degree. HNC/HND Foundation Degree Diploma H.E. Q Level 4. stepsA2 + AS. BTEC to National higher Diploma. education NVQ Level 3. GCSE’s grade A-C. BTEC st Diploma or GNVQ Intermediate. NVQ Level 2. GCSE grade D-G. BTEC Intro Diploma GNVQ www.aimhigher.ac.ukFoundation. NVQ Level 1. Postgraduate Level Degree. HNC/HND Foundation gree Diploma H.E. NVQ Level 4. Level 7–8 PostgraduatePostgraduate Diplomas, Masters Degrees, Level PhD A Levels are not the only way into higher Level 4- Level 5 - Level 6- Level 4 Bachelor Level HNC, degrees, NVQ education certificates Foundation Level 4/5 There are lots of qualifications and learning paths into higher 4–6 graduate of HE Degrees, certificates education besides A Levels. HND and diplomas NVQ’s, BTEC National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas and Access to Higher Education Courses all allow you to study either full time or part time via the route that suits you best. There are also many higher education courses that BTEC you can progress to besides the traditional ‘honours’ degree. Foundation AS + A2 National Access to NVQ Level Level 3 Diploma * Degrees, Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates for example, Applied HE Advanced 3 Certificate AS/A2 Apprenticeship all provide higher education qualifications. Award Lots of choice can sometimes be confusing but don’t let that put you off. There is no ‘right time’ to think about higher education. Whether you are leaving school, already working or thinking of returning to study after a long absence, there will be something to suit your needs. VGCSE GCSE BCEC First Level AA*-CC NVQ A*–C Diplomas and There is plenty of help to guide you through the process and local colleges and 2 Intermediate Certificate Level 2 GNVQ NCFE Level 2 universities all provide opportunities for you to try out different subjects before (Ending 2007) you make your decision. Why not find out what’s on offer? This booklet demonstrates the various routes that real people have taken into higher education, so read on to find out more and the next person applying to VGCSE HE could be you! GCSE BTEC Level DD-GG Introductory NVQ D–G Foundation Diploma and Level 1 1 GNVQ Certificate (Ending 2007) * Access to HE courses are intended for adults who do not have any qualifications or who do not have traditional 6th form or vocational qualifications allowing them to prepare for and gain entry to, degree and or other HE programmes Which way did they go? Which way did Katie Coward go? Katie is the first in her family to go to Step 3 BTEC university. Her parents both left school at 16 BA (Honours) Professional Degree in and none of her extended family continued Diplomas, Level 4 NVQ English Language Certificates and in education. Katie gained A and B grades in and Literature Awards all her GCSE’s and this made her believe in her ability to progress. Katie realised that she wanted to continue studying the Step 2 subjects she enjoyed and also recognised Applied AS/A2 Level 3 NVQ AS/A2 Levels that many of the jobs that interested her Levels required a degree as they provide specialist skills. After passing four A Levels, Katie was BTEC First Step 1 Diploma accepted at university to study English Level 2 NVQ Language and Literature. She was very GCSE A-B VGCSE’s Grades OCR Level 2 nervous about being the first in her family Nationals to go to university but she received plenty of support from her family and made them all proud when she graduated with a 2:2 honours degree. Katie’s top tip Katie currently has a job as a student is to, ‘Always set goals and ambassador encouraging other young targets, write ‘to do’ lists and check your people to think about higher education. timetables!’ Which way did Paul Green go? Step 3 At 47, Paul is a mature student who Diplomas of Foundation Degree returned to education in order to give him Higher Education in Television & Level 4 NVQ the best possible chance to realise his Media Practice ambitions. Paul dropped out of his A levels after an offer of employment but recently he decided that he wanted a career change and Step 2 returned to education. Step 1 NCFE Certificate in Level 2 NVQ After completing a NCFE level 2 in Video O Levels Film Production Production at a local college, Paul applied to a higher education institution. He is currently studying a Foundation Degree in Television and Media Practice and has ambitions to become a film director or is doing something that he enjoys. Paul’s top tip cameraman. is, ‘Getting into Higher Paul regards producing his first feature Education is not as difficult as you think length film as being his biggest achievement so don’t be intimidated. Use the support to date and that his motivation to succeed structures in place and you will be a success.’ Which way did Kieran Bostock go? Kieran is a Civil Engineering Technician. He Step 5 Diploma of is studying an HND in Civil Engineering on Higher Education HND in Civil Level 4 NVQ a part-time basis whilst he continues in his Engineering job. His employer recognised the importance of having highly skilled staff and Kieran knew that part-time study was the best Step 3 Step 4 BTEC National Level 3 NVQ in option for him as it allowed him to continue AS/A2 levels Diploma Technical Design earning a living whilst he gained his Civil Engineering in Built qualifications. Environment After completing his BTEC National Diploma at college, Kieran went on to find employment as an Engineering Technician in Step 1 Step 2 Level 2 NVQ order to gain some experience in his chosen GCSE A-C Grades AS level in ICT field. His employer supported him through an NVQ level 3 in Technical Design and seeing the benefits to the organisation, encouraged him to progress to an HND. Which way did Carly Machin go? Kieran’s ambition is to become a fully Kieran’s top tip Step 6 qualified Civil Engineer and he hopes to on higher education is that Postgraduate Carly left school after gaining B and C Level 7 Diploma NVQ 5 be able to progress onto a degree in Civil ‘It’s a long process but anything worth Diploma (PGDip) in Translation grades in her GCSE’s and although she Marketing Engineering. while and rewarding takes a bit of time.’ wanted to continue her education she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do.