Work-related qualifications

A work-related or vocational qualification is useful if you've a clear idea of what job you'd like. Vocational courses focus on doing things and learning practical skills.

• Should I do an academic or work-related course?
• Entry level qualifications
• GCSEs in vocational subjects
• GNVQs
• A levels in Applied Subjects
• NVQs
• BTEC First and National qualifications
• BTEC Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNC/Ds)
• Foundation degrees
• Professional qualifications and professional bodies
• City & Guilds
• OCR (Oxford and Cambridge and RSA)
• LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
• National Open College Network
• NCFE

Entry level qualifications

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. Course are split into units, some compulsory and some optional. They're very flexible, so you can whizz through them or take your time.

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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General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) in vocational subjects

GCSEs in vocational subjects were designed to replace Part One GNVQs and prepare you for further vocational study or work. Although they're aimed mainly at young people, adults can do them too.

You get an introduction to a sector of work such as art and design, leisure and tourism, and health and social care. GCSEs in vocational subjects are equivalent to two GCSEs. You are assessed mainly by coursework.

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

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General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs)

These qualifications are gradually being replaced. The Advanced GNVQ has been replaced by the Vocational A level. You can't now start an Advanced GNVQ.

Foundation and Intermediate GNVQs are being replaced by GCSEs in vocational subjects. You can't now start a Foundation or Intermediate GNVQ.

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A levels in Applied Subjects

A levels in Applied Subjects are vocational qualifications that prepare you for work or higher education. They are the next qualification up from GCSEs and BTEC First Certificates and Diplomas. They're work-related courses in broad work sectors like Applied Business, Engineering, and Applied Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

A levels in Applied Subjects have replaced the Advanced GNVQ. They're assessed mainly by coursework.

As with standard A levels, AS units form the first half of the course, A2 the second, with each part contributing 50% of the total marks. They are very flexible and you can study do three or six unit single awards in:

• Engineering
• Media: Communication and Production
• Performing Arts
• Leisure Studies

You can study do three, six or 12 unit double awards in:

• Applied Art and Design
• Applied Business
• Health and Social Care
• Applied ICT
• Travel and Tourism

All Advanced GCE (Single Award) qualifications comprise six equally weighted units, and contain an Advanced Subsidiary subset of three AS units.

All Advanced GCE (Double Award) qualifications comprise twelve equally weighted units and contain an Advanced Subsidiary (Double Award) subset of six AS units and an Advanced Subsidiary subset of three AS units.

Find out more about A levels in Applied Subjects on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website. Choose Qualifications and then Types of qualification.

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

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National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

NVQs prove you can do a particular job. Getting an NVQ means that you have the skills, knowledge and understanding to perform effectively in a job. There are over 500 NVQs in subjects such as Animal Care, Radio Production and Weather Forecasting. They come in five levels.

You put together a portfolio of evidence that you can do a job by attending workshops and being assessed on the job. Each NVQ is divided into units, which make up the different aspects of a job. You do each unit in turn, and after you've completed enough you're awarded the full NVQ.

Employers create the units and standards. NVQs are often part of on-the-job training schemes, such as Apprenticeships and New Deal schemes.

You can claim Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) with NVQs. This can come from previous work experience as well as formal learning.

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

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BTEC First and National qualifications

BTEC First and National qualifications are further education qualifications, like A levels and Vocational A levels (AVCEs). They can be an introduction to broad vocational areas, such as retail or construction; or be linked more to specific jobs, such as hairdressing and security.

They can be full or part-time. The higher levels of BTEC courses are equivalent to one A level or more and can get you into higher education. These are the main BTEC courses:

• BTEC Entry Level Certificate
• BTEC Introductory Certificate/Diploma
• BTEC First Certificate/Diploma
• BTEC National Award - equivalent to one A level
• BTEC National Certificate - equivalent to two A levels
• BTEC National Diploma - equivalent to three A levels

Find out more about BTECs on the Edexcel website.

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

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BTEC Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Diplomas (HNDs)

BTEC HNCs/Ds are higher education qualifications, like degrees. Unlike degrees they're only available in vocational subjects; they are closely linked to the world of work.

They're a mixture of theory and practice, and will prepare you for work at a technical, supervisory or management level.

HNDs are usually two years full-time, but there are a few part-time ones available, which will take longer. When you have finished an HNC or HND, you can top up your qualification to a degree by finding a university that offers a degree with a similar subject syllabus to your higher national qualification. You'll do an extra one or two years to top up to a degree, depending on how closely the syllabuses match.

Find out more about BTECs on the Edexcel website.

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

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Foundation Degrees

Foundation degrees were designed to meet the needs of business, giving you the skills employers need.

Similar to BTEC HND courses, they are two years full-time or longer part-time. Most foundation degree students are working and study part-time to progress in their career. Foundation degrees are qualifications in their own right, but you can also top them up to a full degree by transferring onto a degree course in a similar subject after completing the course. You can also move onto professional qualifications.

There are no entry requirements - it's up to universities to decide whether they think you've got the potential to study at higher education level.

For more information visit the Foundation degrees website.

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

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Professional qualifications and professional bodies

Almost every profession has a range of qualifications you can take to get promotion or to gain entry to the relevant professional body. An example is the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) qualifications in human resources, which represent one of the main ways to get on in the profession.

If you have a relevant academic or vocational qualification you might get exemption from parts of some professional qualifications; or get a certain level of membership of the professional body.

Contact the relevant professional body for more information about their qualifications and membership rules. If you need any help, call us on 0800 100 900 - we can put you in touch with the professional body for the area you're interested in.

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City & Guilds

City & Guilds offer their own vocational qualifications. They are skill-based and show that you can do a job. Visual Merchandising, Library and Information Assistants, and Further and Adult Education are examples of City & Guilds courses. They come in levels 1 to 5.

Find out more on the City & Guilds website.

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

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OCR (Oxford and Cambridge and RSA)

OCR offers a range of flexible academic and vocational qualifications. They offer qualifications that are part of the National Qualifications Framework (such as entry level courses, GCSEs, A levels, NVQs) as well as other vocational courses such as audio transcription, retail and bookkeeping.

They also offer (what were formerly known as) the range of RSA qualifications, which are in business and administration.

Find out more on the OCR website.

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LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

LCCI offers business-related qualifications in areas such as secretarial skills, marketing, and foreign languages.

Find out more on the LCCI website.

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National Open College Network

National Open College Network (NOCN) accredits (approves and validates) adult learning qualifications. It's a recognised national qualification awarding body and is the central organisation for the 11 regional Open College Networks (OCNs) across the UK. Their courses are run by colleges and learning centres.

OCNs offer almost 100 courses at levels ranging from entry level to level 3. Subjects include English language, managing volunteers, running a small business, and working with people with learning disabilities.

Their programmes are flexible and allow you to choose units and accumulate and transfer credits according to your needs. You can use the units you've completed to move onto higher courses or as evidence to an employer that you have certain skills or knowledge.

Find out more on the National Open College Network website.

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NCFE

NCFE is a UK-wide awarding body offering qualifications from pre-entry level up to and including level 4. NCFE offers subjects such as childcare, basic skills, travel and tourism, languages, and environment and sustainable development.

Colleges, private training providers, adult education centres, community groups, schools and businesses all offer NCFE qualifications, schemes and awards. You can use these flexible courses to access higher learning or to move into employment.

Find out more on the NCFE website.