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Qualification Levels Explained

Are you trying to make sense of your grades? 

 

​Our handy Levels Explained Guide will provide you with all the information you need including what your qualifications mean and what the next level of progression looks like.

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Entry Level Qualifications

Entry Level is for people who don’t have any previous qualifications

What are Entry Level qualifications?

  • Entry level award, certificate or diploma

  • Entry level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

  • Entry level Essential Skills or entry level Functional Skills

  • Skills for Life

Level 1 Qualifications

You can typically study a Level 1 subject if you hold 1 GCSE at grade 3 or above, along with 2 GCSEs at grade 2 or above in English and Maths

What are the Level 1 qualifications?

  • First certificate

  • GCSE – Grades 3,2,1 or grades D, E, F, G

  • Level 1 award, certificate or diploma

  • Level 1 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

  • Level 1 Essential Skills or Level 1 Functional Skills

  • Level 1 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Level 2 Qualifications

You can typically study a Level 2 subject if you hold 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English and Maths, or a Level 1 qualification in a relevant subject. 

What are the Level 2 qualifications?

  • GCSE grades 9,8,7,6,5,4 or grades A*, A, B, C

  • Intermediate Apprenticeship

  • CSE – Grade -1

  • Level 2 award, certificate or diploma

  • Level 2 Extended Certificate

  • Level 2 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

  • Level 2 Essential Skills or Level 2 Functional Skills

  • Level 2 National Certificate or Level 2 National Diploma

  • Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

  • GCE O-Levels – grade A, B or C

Level 3 Qualifications

You can typically study a Level 3 subject if you hold 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including a level 3 and a level 4 in English and Maths (in either order). The requirements may vary slightly depending on which subject you would like to study. You may also study with a relevant Level 2 qualification.

What are the Level 3 qualifications?

  • AS Level

  • GCE A-Level

  • Access to Higher Education

  • Advanced Apprenticeship

  • International baccalaureate diploma

  • Level 3 award, certificate, diploma

  • Level 3 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

  • Level 3 National Certificate or Level 3 National Diploma

  • Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

  • T Levels

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