Non-compulsory assessment

Students who choose to remain in education after the age of 16 (after they have completed their GCSEs) can follow a number of educational routes, each involving a different method of assessment. All routes can eventually lead to Higher Education (such as university).

 

A levels

  • What: A level qualifications focus on 'traditional', more academic subjects (compared to other, more vocational qualifications - see below).
  • When: Most students take A level qualifications in Years 12 and 13 at school (Sixth Form) - after completing their GCSEs. Some schools offer AS levels in certain subjects for talented students aged 14-16.
  • Subjects: Students can choose from a wide range of academic subjects as well as some work-related subjects.
  • Structure: A levels are made up of the AS level and the A2 level. Each part makes up 50% of the overall A level grade. An AS level can be either a free-standing qualification or valued as the first half of the full A level. At the end of the AS year, students have two options: take the AS level qualification only, or continue to the second year and complete the full A level. Most students take three or four AS levels in their first year and continue with at least three of these in their second year (A2 level).
  • Timings: A levels normally take two years to complete full time
  • Entry requirements: In most cases, students need at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C.
  • Find out more: Visit the QCDA website.

 

BTECs, OCR Nationals and other vocational qualifications

  • What: Vocational qualifications are suitable for students who want to learn more about a particular job or area of work.
  • When: They are usually taken by students over the age of 16 who are studying full time at college (and sometimes and school); some schools offer them to 14-16 year olds - normally in combination with other qualifications such as GCSEs.
  • Subjects: There are many vocational qualifications to choose from, such as art and design; business; and health and social care.
  • Structure: Vocational qualifications are usually represented in 'levels'. The National Database of Accredited Qualifications provides information on all the different types of qualifications.
  • Timings: The number of learning hours depends on the type of qualification. See the National Database of Accredited Qualifications for more information.
  • Entry requirements: Qualifications at different levels have different entry requirements.
  • Find out more: Visit the QCDA website.

 

Diplomas for 14-19 year-olds

  • What: A qualification that offers students a more practical, hands-on way of gaining the essential skills that employers and universities look for. It aims to increase the choices available to young people and encourage them to stay in education longer. The Diplomas allow employers to embed employability into the curriculum through work-related learning and experience. More than 5,000 employers helped in the design of the Diplomas.
  • When: Students can study Diplomas instead of or alongside GCSEs and A level subjects. Those aged 14-16 will study any compulsory subjects - such as English, maths and science - alongside any Diploma subjects ('lines of learning'). Students will be based in their school or college but may also learn in a different setting, e.g. the workplace, to get an insight into what life at work is really like.
  • Subjects: Diplomas are currently available in a limited number of lines of learning, but more will be added over the coming years. The full range of 17 will be available to all students by 2013. See the table below for the timetabled roll out of Diploma lines of learning.
  • Structure and timings: There are three levels of Diploma, each taking two years to complete:
    • Foundation Diploma (a level 1 qualification): equivalent to five GCSEs at grades D to G
    • Higher Diploma (a level 2 qualification): equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades A* to C
    • Advanced Diploma (a level 3 qualification): for those over 16, equivalent to 3.5 A levels
  • Entry requirements: The entry requirements depend on the level of qualification.
  • Find out more:

 

Table to show the development and introduction of the total 17 Diploma lines of learning (each available at three levels), phased over the next four years

Phase

Subject/line of learning

Availability

Phase 1

IT
Engineering
Construction and the built environment
Society, health and development
Creative and media

September 2008

Phase 2

Environmental and land-based studies
Manufacturing and product design
Hospitality and catering
Health and beauty
Business, administration and finance

September 2009

Phase 3

Travel and tourism
Public services
Retail
Sport and leisure

September 2010

Phase 4

Humanities
Languages
Science

September 2011

 

Apprenticeships

  • What: Apprentices build up knowledge and skills of a type of industry by working on the job; they gain qualifications and earn money at the same time. There is no set rate of pay for apprentices, but all must receive a wage of now less than £80 per week. As their skills develop, apprentices will be paid accordingly. They receive the same benefits as other employees, such as pension contributions.
  • When: Apprenticeships are open to everyone aged 16 years or older, whether just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career. By 2013, every suitable young person will be entitled to an apprenticeship. Ministers hope that 250,000 apprenticeships will be starting each year by 2020; this means that one in five young people will begin an apprenticeship within the next ten years.
  • Subjects: Apprentices can choose from a number of work-based qualifications such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ).
  • Structure and timings: Apprenticeships typically take between one and four years to complete, depending on the type of framework. There is no set time to complete an apprenticeship due to variations in content and size, the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements.
  • Entry requirements: There are different entry requirements for apprenticeships, depending on the occupational sector. Two entry requirements that exist across all apprenticeships are to be living in England and not taking part in full-time education.
  • Find out more: Visit the Apprenticeships website.

FURTHER INFO