Guide To Qualifications

Qualifications: what the different levels mean

Different types of qualifications are grouped together into various ‘levels’. This can help you (and employers) see how different qualifications compare and how onetype can lead on to another.

For more information on qualifications, visit www.direct.gov.uk. For more information about National Qualifications Framework (NCF), visit www.qca.org.uk

NQF level Examples of qualifications What they give you
Entry - Entry level certificates
- Skills for Life at entry level		 - basic knowledge and skills
- ability to apply learning in everyday situations
1 - Foundation Diplomas
- GCSEs grades D-G
- BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates
- OCR Nationals
- Key Skills level 1
- NVQs
- Skills for Life		 - basic knowledge and skills
- ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision
- may be linked to job competence
2 - Higher Diplomas
- GCSEs grades A*-C
- BTEC First Diplomas and Certificates
- OCR Nationals
- Key Skills level 2
- NVQs
- Skills for Life		 - good knowledge and understanding of a subject
- ability to perform variety of tasks with some guidance or supervision
- appropriate for many job roles
3 - Advanced Diplomas
- A levels
- Advanced Extension Awards
- GCE in applied subjects
- International Baccalaureate
- Key Skills level 3
- NVQs
- BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and Awards
- BTEC Nationals
- OCR Nationals		 - ability to gain or apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding, at a detailed level
- appropriate if you plan to go to university, work independently, or (in some cases) supervise and
train others in their field of work
4 - Key Skills level 4
- NVQs
- BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates
and Awards		 - specialist learning, involving detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an
area of work or study
- appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and
developing others
5 - HNCs and HNDs
- NVQs
- BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards		 - ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study, so you
can respond to complex problems and situations
- involves high level of work expertise and competence in managing and training others
- appropriate for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers
6 - National Diploma in Professional Production Skills
- BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards		 - a specialist, high-level knowledge of an area of work or study, to enable you to use your own
ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations
- appropriate for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management
positions
7 - Diploma in Translation
- BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards		 - highly developed and complex levels of knowledge, enabling you to develop original responses to
complicated and unpredictable problems and situations
- appropriate for senior professionals and managers