Academic qualifications

You can study academic courses at further education colleges, adult education or community colleges, or as open and distance learning courses (also known as correspondence or home study courses).

• Should I do an academic or work-related course?
• Entry level qualifications
• GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education)
• AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) levels
• AEAs (Advanced Extension Awards)
• International Baccalaureate
• Access courses
• Return to learning courses
• Degrees
• Foundation degrees
• Dip HEs (Diplomas of Higher Education)
• MAs, MSCs and PhDs (higher degrees)
• CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme)
• Accreditation of Prior Learning
• Overseas Qualifications

Entry level qualifications

These courses prepare you for foundation level courses, such as GCSEs.

They come in three levels: 1, 2 and 3, with 3 being the highest. You could do a work-related course like hairdressing and office practice, or improve your English and maths.

Courses are split into units, some compulsory and some optional. They're very flexible, so you can whizz through them or take your time. They can help you back into learning if you haven't done any for a while.

Find out more about entry level qualifications at Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and visit the National Qualifications section.

If you need help to find an entry level course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or email an adviser.

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GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education)

These are the standard qualifications achieved by 16 year olds. They are also open to adults.

Choose from English, maths and sciences, Italian, human physiology and many more. GCSEs are assessed by coursework and exams, and grades are from A* to G.

Having GCSEs shows you have a good standard of general education. GCSEs are useful for a number of reasons:

• to re-enter learning after a period out of education
• for evidence of recent study, needed for an access, further or higher education course
• to get the five GCSE grades A-C that many employers ask for (particularly grade C or above in English and Maths).
• to study for the pleasure of learning

Courses may be full or part-time - check with the course provider for details.

Find out more about GCSEs at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority - visit the National Qualifications section.

If you need help to find a GCSE course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or email an adviser.

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AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) levels

A levels as a route into higher education for 16-18 year olds, but they are a popular option for adults too.

You can study them at further education colleges and adult education or community colleges, or through open and distance learning.

For some subjects you will need to have some prior knowledge of the subject (or have a GCSE in it) before starting an A or AS level.

A levels are divided into six units. You get an AS level for completing the first three units and an A level for completing the full six. An AS level is a qualification in its own right and will help you to get into university. The first three units are called AS units and the second three are called A2 units.

A levels are graded from A to E.

Find out more about A levels at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website - visit the National Qualifications section.

If you need help to find an A level course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or email an adviser.

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AEAs (Advanced Extension Awards)

AEAs go into greater depth than standard A levels and they are intended to challend the most able pupils.

Find out more about AEAs at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website - visit the National Qualifications section.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

International Baccalaureate is available in three levels: Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme. State schools, public schools, private schools and international schools offer IB programmes. The Primary Years and Middle Years programmes are aimed at children aged 3 to 16.

The Diploma Programme is a two year course which prepares 16 to 19 year olds for university study. IB Diploma Programmes are accepted by universities in over 110 countries and can be taught in English, French and Spanish. Over 100 universities in the UK accept them for entry onto degrees.

The course covers six areas: language (native), second language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, and the arts.

Students can move from a participating school in one country to a participating school in another country, but they are of equal value to those who remain in one country.

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Access courses

Access courses can be a way into university. Aimed at adults who have no formal qualifications they can demonstrate the ability to study at higher education level. They can be a way into university, for personal development, or to prepare for work.

Access to Higher Education courses offer modules in different subjects. Subject-specific Access courses, such as Access to Teaching, can prepare you for a Teaching degree.

Access courses are run at further education colleges and adult education centres, have no entry requirements and can be full-time or part-time. Find out more about Access courses on the UCAS website.

If you need help to find an access course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or email an adviser.

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Return to learning courses

Return to learning courses are similar to Access courses and help you back into learning. They focus on literacy, numeracy and computer skills and prepare you for higher education or employment.

Find out more about these by contacting your local further education college or adult education centre.

If you need help to find a return to learning course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or email an adviser.

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Degrees

Higher education degrees can be academic or vocational (work-based). Some degrees are more vocational than others and are a step towards qualifying in certain professions: law, teaching and accountancy for example.

If you study full-time they normally take three or four years. The four year courses are often sandwich courses, with a year's work experience or placement in addition to three years study. A handful of universities also offer two year 'fast track' honours degrees.

Depending on the subject, if you complete the course you'll be awarded a degree such as BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science), BEd (Bachelor of Education), LLB (Bachelor of Law) and BEng (Bachelor of Engineering). You'll also be offered a grade: a first class, second class (2:1 or 2:2), third class or pass degree.

Universities mainly run degrees, although some further education (FE) colleges offer them. FE colleges might run the whole degree course, or have an arrangement whereby you attend the first year of it at the college before moving on to complete the course at a university.

You can get credit for studying parts of a degree under the CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme). You can transfer these credits to another course, so if you don't complete your degree you won't have to start again from scratch.

Find out about degrees at UCAS.

If you need help to find a degree course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or send an email.

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Diplomas of Higher Education (Dip HEs)

A Dip HE is a higher education qualification, usually run full-time over two years. It can be equivalent in standard to the first two years of a first degree, and if a university offers the CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme) you can top up your learning at a later stage to gain a degree.

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Higher degrees

Higher or postgraduate degrees are the next step up from a degree. You might do one of these courses immediately after a degree, to explore a subject in more depth and gain a higher qualification.

Higher degrees fall into two categories: Master's degrees or doctorate degrees.

Masters degrees are usually taught programmes that include some research. They usually take one year full-time or two years part-time.

Master of Philosophy (Mphil) courses generally involve more research and can last up to two years.

If you complete a masters you'll be awarded a type of qualification, depending on the subject such as MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science), MBA (Master of Business Administration) and MEng (Master of Engineering).

You can get a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) if you complete several years of original research. They take at least three years full-time and longer part-time. You negotiate your research programme with lecturers in university research departments.

Find out more about higher degrees on the Hobsons Postgrad website.

If you need help to find a higher degree course, call us free on 0800 100 900, search the course database or send an email.

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CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme)

Many universities and colleges now teach courses where you complete modules or units, which are equivalent to a certain number of credits. You work towards a target number of credits, which lead towards the full qualification, be it a degree or diploma.

CATS allows you to move the credits you amass from one institution to another. So if you have to stop your course or move institution, you can pick up from where you left off and not have to repeat modules or units.

Many types of learning are now accepted within CATS: full- and part-time learning, open and distance learning, professional qualifications and private training.

At present no central organisation deals with CATS enquiries. Contact your course provider for more information.

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APL and APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning and Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning)

You can get Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for learning or qualifications you've already done. Accreditation of Prior end Experiential Learning (APEL) is for experience that proves you have certain knowledge or skills.

To claim APL/APEL you'll have to submit a portfolio of evidence showing how your prior learning or experience relates to the parts of the course for which you're hoping to get exemption.

If you contact the institution you intend to study at they will tell you whether it's worth you applying for APL/APEL and whether the service will cost you anything.

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Overseas qualifications

If you have overseas qualifications the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) can determine what they are equivalent to in the UK. They can advise you free of charge over the telephone, but they charge a fee for written assessments.