UK Qualifications

In mainstream UK education, there are 9  levels for qualifications, which are defined as follows.

At different points in time, and in different countries and different education systems - these levels vary.

Systems do not always correlate with each other. 

Entry Level
This is the lowest level.  Qualifications awarded at this level might be given any one of a number of different names, including entry level certificate or entry level diploma.

Level 1
This is a low level qualification, only one step up from an entry level course.  It also may be given a whole range of different titles.  Level 1 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 1 certificate or Level 1 Diploma
·        Level 1 NVQ (ie. National Vocational Qualification)
·        GCSE courses graded as D, E, F or G

Level 2
Level 2 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 2 award, certificate or diploma
·        Level 2 National certificate or national diploma
·        GCSE courses graded A, B or C
·        O level courses grade A, B or C

Level 3.
Level 3 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 3 award, certificate or diploma
·        Level 3 National certificate or national diploma
·        International Baccalaureate Diploma
·        Advanced apprenticeship
·        A level courses graded A, B, C, D or E
 
Level 4.
Level 4 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 4 award, certificate or diploma
·        Certificate in Higher Education
·        Higher National Certificate
·        Level 4 NVQ

Level 5.
Level 5 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 5 award, certificate or diploma
·        Higher National Diploma (HND)
·        Foundation Degree

Level 6.
Level 6 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 6 award, certificate or diploma
·        Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma
·        Bachelors Degree

Level 7.
Level 7 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 7 award, certificate or diploma
·        Post Graduate Diploma or Post Graduate Certificate
·        Masters Degree

Level 8.
Level 8 qualifications can amongst other things, include:
·        Level 8 award, certificate or diploma
·        Level 8 award, certificate or diploma
 

HOW DO OTHER COUNTRIES COMPARE?
In Australia, levels begin at level 1, unlike the UK where they begin at entry level.

In Australia there has not traditionally been the same overlap between secondary schooling, vocational and university courses; as we see in the UK.

In many other countries, systems vary considerably.
Certificates and diplomas in Australia were defined by class contact hours, but that situation changed in the early 20th Century.  Consequently, mainstream diplomas and certificates in the 1970’s in Australia were often much longer courses than they now tend to be. 
 
HOW DOES ACS DISTANCE EDUCATION COMPARE?
We have defined our qualifications with the main emphasis on quantity of study, but also defining level to some degree.

• All of our courses are delivered at a post secondary academic education level
  
• Credit courses for certificates, diplomas or any other qualifications are treated by course developers and tutors/assessors as being at a first year (or higher) college or university academic level.
  
• Beyond this our qualifications are arranged as follows, from lowest to highest academic level:
  Certificate -600 hours
  Advanced Certificate  - 900 hours
  Proficiency Award -500 hours
  Foundation Diploma – 1,000 hours
  Associate Diploma – 1,500 hours
  Diploma – 2,100 hours
  Advanced Diploma – 2,500 hours

 

[20/04/2024 15:22:46]