There many different types of qualifications that can fall under different names. It's often very confusing about what they mean and how they affect you. Don't worry, read the following definitions to help you understand.
GCSE Course
This is the name given to most of the courses and qualifications which children study between the ages of 14 and 16. There are different types of courses under this general name
Full Course GCSE
Most of the core and choice subjects fall into this group
OCR National Awards
The OCR National Qualifications are available in ICT and business studies. They are also vocational (work related) courses which can lead to a Level 2 qualification depending on how many units you complete.
NVQ (National Vocational Qualification)
The NVQ is a qualification which can be gained in many vocational (work related) areas. (eg Business Languages, hairdressing). You will be assessed in skills related to the type of work. They include a work placement. NVQ’s are offered at levels 1 or 2 in years 10 and 11.
BTEC - Business technology and education council
The BTEC offers vocational (work related) courses in a variety of subjects (eg Sport, Art, Construction)
BTEC Introductory Certificate = Level 1
BTEC First Diploma = Level 2
ASDAN (Award scheme development and accreditation network)
ASDAN offer a variety of accreditation awards recognised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
The Certificate of Personal Effectivness and the Youth Award Scheme
This is one award.
This can be taken at a variety of levels.
Bronze
Bronze/Silver
Gold
The Specialist Diploma
The Diploma is a new qualification. There are three levels of study. We are offering the Higher Level Diploma in two subjects: Construction and the Built Environment and Information Technology. The Diploma course will run for two days a week and takes the place of all other options. The Higher Diploma is the same as 7 GCSEs at grades A*-C and will be studied alongside other core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science PSE, RS and PE. You will work on projects and relate what you learn to real life situations.
