Qualification Levels

Why might it be of interest?

Qualifications are grouped into levels from entry levels – the most basic level of qualification – up to level 8 which is doctorate level.  We have this information presented as a table on the information hub but this is just a list of qualifications under each level.

What do the levels mean?

Entry level:  available at levels 1, 2 and 3

Entry level qualifications are:

• entry level award
• entry level certificate (ELC)
• entry level diploma
• entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
• entry level essential skills
• entry level functional skills
• Skills for Life

Entry level qualifications are the most basic level – think of them as about 2 steps before GCSE grades.  They are a way to record achievement even for young people who may not go onto pass GCSEs.

Entry Level Learning levels:

• Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision
• Skills at this level are not usually geared towards specific occupations
• Entry level qualifications are about 2 steps below GCSE
• Level 1 qualifications are equivalent to the lower grades of GCSE
• Level 2 qualifications are equivalent to the higher GCSE grades

Entry level 1 maths:  usually the level for students with SLD

• Add and subtract numbers up to 20
• Recognise shapes like triangles and rectangles
• User terms like above, below, left and right

Entry level 1 english:

• Read an advert or an email that has about 60 words and then answer questions
• Order letters of the alphabet
• Write a short note to a friend
• Choose the right spelling from a list (e.g. stope, stop or stopp)
• Use capital letters for names and to start sentences

Another way to get a feel for the level is:

• Year 1 is roughly equal to Entry Level 1
• Y2 & Y3 is roughly equal to Entry Level 2
• Y4 & Y5 is roughly equal to Entry Level 3

Level 1 qualifications:

• first certificate
• GCSE – grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
• level 1 award
• level 1 certificate
• level 1 diploma
• level 1 ESOL
• level 1 essential skills
• level 1 functional skills
• level 1 national vocational qualification (NVQ)
• music grades 1, 2 and 3

Level 2 qualifications:

• CSE – grade 1
• GCSE – grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
• intermediate apprenticeship
• level 2 award
• level 2 certificate
• level 2 diploma
• level 2 ESOL
• level 2 essential skills
• level 2 functional skills
• level 2 national certificate
• level 2 national diploma
• level 2 NVQ
• music grades 4 and 5
• O level – grade A, B or C

Level 3 qualifications:

• A level
• access to higher education diploma
• advanced apprenticeship
• applied general
• AS level
• international Baccalaureate diploma
• level 3 award
• level 3 certificate
• level 3 diploma
• level 3 ESOL
• level 3 national certificate
• level 3 national diploma
• level 3 NVQ
• music grades 6, 7 and 8
• T Level
• tech level

Level 4 qualifications:

• certificate of higher education (CertHE)
• higher apprenticeship
• higher national certificate (HNC)
• level 4 award
• level 4 certificate
• level 4 diploma
• level 4 NVQ

Level 5 qualifications:

• diploma of higher education (DipHE)
• foundation degree
• higher national diploma (HND)
• level 5 award
• level 5 certificate
• level 5 diploma
• level 5 NVQ

Level 6 qualifications:

• degree apprenticeship
• degree with honours – for example bachelor of the arts (BA) hons, bachelor of science (BSc) hons
• graduate certificate
• graduate diploma
• level 6 award
• level 6 certificate
• level 6 diploma
• level 6 NVQ
• ordinary degree without honours

Level 7 qualifications:

• integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering (MEng)
• level 7 award
• level 7 certificate
• level 7 diploma
• level 7 NVQ
• master’s degree, for example master of arts (MA), master of science (MSc)
• postgraduate certificate
• postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
• postgraduate diploma

Level 8 qualifications:

• doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
• level 8 award
• level 8 certificate
• level 8 diploma

ASDAN

Asdan qualifications are nationally approved courses that help students develop personal, social, and employability skills. They are available for learners at various levels, from Entry 1 to Level 3.

You will mostly find Asdan courses at special schools where students may not be working at Entry level although Asdan qualifications can be equivalent up to level 3 qualifications.