Jargon Buster

Access courses are designed to help adults with little
or no formal qualifications get back into education
and move on to higher level studies.

These are the first year of an A Level. If you don’t go
on to year two, you’ll still get a qualification.

Applied AS Levels

Provide you with a broad introduction to a
vocational subject with an emphasis on practical
study, which still allows you to progress on to
higher education.

Apprenticeships

Think ‘on the job’ training and ‘college study’, but
with a wage and a recognised qualification - the
way to go if you want to earn while you learn.
Apprenticeships are job-related vocational training
programmes that enable students to gain NVQs and
technical certificates on the job. We offer a number
of Apprenticeships here including hairdressing,
motor vehice, health and social care and business
administration.

Basic Skills or Skills for Life or Functional Skills

These are the ability to read, write, speak and to use
mathematics at a level necessary to function and
progress both in and outside of work.

BTEC

The name for a range of respected vocational
qualifications awarded by Edexcel (Foundation
for Educational Excellence).

CACHE (Council for Awards in Children’s Care & Education)

Professional childcare qualifications.

Clearing

Clearing is the system operated by UCAS to allocate
students places on courses that still have vacancies
after the publication of the A level results.

Connexions

An advice and guidance service for 13 - 19 year olds.
Connexions provides free advice and information
about learning, careers, health, housing and money.

C&G (City & Guilds)

A leading provider of work-based qualifications
across many subjects. It is the main provider of
vocational qualifications in the UK, offering over 500
different qualifications.

Diplomas

These are a new type of qualification, introduced
lin September 2008.

EFL

English as a Foreign or second Language.

ESOL

English for Speakers of Other Languages are specially
designed programmes of study for those students
new to the English language.

EMA

EMA is a means tested payment worth up to £30
per week to school leavers (aged 16 - 19) who are
planning to continue with further education after
they’ve finishing their GCSEs.

FE

Further Education is education for people who are
over 16 years old. This includes all study, whether on
a full or part-time basis.

First Diploma

A one year vocational qualification in a hands on
area.

Foundation Levels

Are beginner courses that develop communication
and study skills to provide a well-rounded
introduction to a chosen subject. Most people use
them as a route to Intermediate level courses.

Foundation Degrees

These are essentially vocational higher education
qualifications built with the help of employers, to
ensure that students receive the specialist technical
knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

GCSEs

General Certificates of Secondary Education are the
examinations of basic secondary education taken by
16 year olds.

Graduate

A graduate is a person who has been awarded a
higher education degree from a university or college.

HE - Higher Education

This includes all education above Advanced Level.
This could include HNCs, HNDs, Foundation
Degrees and Honours Degrees.

HNCs

Higher National Certificates are often studied part
time by students who are working. If you complete
an HNC, you may wish to choose to go into higher
education where you would have to complete
the second and third year of a course

HNDs

Higher National Diplomas are given for vocational training that prepares the student for a career in a particular area. Most HND graduates go on to get a job or to study further, leading to a professional qualification or a degree.

National Certificate/National Diploma

National Certificates (equivalent to two A Levels) and National Diplomas (equivalent to three A Levels) are great if you want to get practical experience in your chosen career. You can go straight on to university with this qualification too.

NVQ - National Vocational Qualification

A work-related qualification that shows you can do the practical side of a job, not just the theoretical side. Assessment takes place in the workplace.

UCAS

UCAS or the Universities and Colleges’ Admissions Service is the organisation which handles all university applications.

Vocational Learning

Prepares students for particular careers, occupations or trades and may involve a substantial element of work-experience. (Apprenticeships are a form of vocational training).