{"id":13439,"date":"2023-07-12T06:05:18","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T06:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=13439"},"modified":"2023-09-27T06:40:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T06:40:41","slug":"what-different-qualification-levels-mean","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/lifestyle\/education\/what-different-qualification-levels-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Different Qualification Levels Mean in the United Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Almost all qualifications contain a difficulty level. A higher level represents a qualification with a higher degree of difficulty.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, there are several ways to determine the level of a qualification. For example, you can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check through the list of different qualification levels below (used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/find-a-regulated-qualification\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Search the Register of Regulated Qualifications<\/a> (you would need to know the qualification name and the exam board running it).<\/li>\n<li>Compare how countries outside of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland use different level systems for their qualifications (details below).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In fact, the whole range of exam qualifications is huge and varied. But, grouping them together into levels makes them easier to compare.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, it is important to be aware that the same qualification levels often cover different amounts &#8211; even in the same subject.<\/p>\n<p><strong>An Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>You can learn about the same subject in AS levels and A levels (e.g. languages, mathematics, science). But, they are both classed as level 3 qualifications.<\/p>\n<p>The difference between the two levels is the length of study time. So, you would study AS levels over a one (1) year period and A levels over a period of two (2) years.<\/p>\n<p>So, you would learn significantly more about a particular subject when studying it as an A level qualification.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Contacting the Helplines<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"\/rules\/lifestyle\/education\/further-education-courses\/\">National Careers Service helpline<\/a> provides advice about qualification levels for learners who are studying in England. Use the different helplines for other parts of the United Kingdom:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Careers Wales<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.myworldofwork.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">My World of Work Skills Development Scotland<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nidirect.gov.uk\/campaigns\/careers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Careers Online Support (Northern Ireland)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>9 Qualification Levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Entry Level Qualifications<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>entry level award<\/li>\n<li>entry level certificate (ELC)<\/li>\n<li>entry level diploma<\/li>\n<li>entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)<\/li>\n<li>entry level essential skills<\/li>\n<li>entry level functional skills<\/li>\n<li>Skills for Life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: There are three sublevels for each entry level qualification (i.e. 1, 2, and 3) with entry level 3 being the most difficult to attain.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 1 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>first certificate<\/li>\n<li>GCSE &#8211; grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G<\/li>\n<li>level 1 award<\/li>\n<li>level 1 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 1 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 1 ESOL<\/li>\n<li>level 1 essential skills<\/li>\n<li>level 1 functional skills<\/li>\n<li>level 1 national vocational qualification (NVQ)<\/li>\n<li>music grades 1, 2 and 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 2 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CSE &#8211; grade 1<\/li>\n<li>GCSE &#8211; grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C<\/li>\n<li>intermediate apprenticeship<\/li>\n<li>level 2 award<\/li>\n<li>level 2 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 2 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 2 ESOL<\/li>\n<li>level 2 essential skills<\/li>\n<li>level 2 functional skills<\/li>\n<li>level 2 national certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 2 national diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 2 NVQ<\/li>\n<li>music grades 4 and 5<\/li>\n<li>O level &#8211; grade A, B or C<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 3 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A level<\/li>\n<li>access to higher education diploma<\/li>\n<li>advanced apprenticeship<\/li>\n<li>applied general<\/li>\n<li>AS level<\/li>\n<li>international Baccalaureate diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 3 award<\/li>\n<li>level 3 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 3 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 3 ESOL<\/li>\n<li>level 3 national certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 3 national diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 3 NVQ<\/li>\n<li>music grades 6, 7 and 8<\/li>\n<li>tech level<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 4 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>certificate of higher education (CertHE)<\/li>\n<li>higher apprenticeship<\/li>\n<li>higher national certificate (HNC)<\/li>\n<li>level 4 award<\/li>\n<li>level 4 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 4 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 4 NVQ<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 5 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>diploma of higher education (DipHE)<\/li>\n<li>foundation degree<\/li>\n<li>higher national diploma (HND)<\/li>\n<li>level 5 award<\/li>\n<li>level 5 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 5 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 5 NVQ<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 6 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>degree apprenticeship<\/li>\n<li>degree with honours (e.g. Bachelor of Arts (BA) hons, Bachelor of Science (BSc) hons)<\/li>\n<li>graduate certificate<\/li>\n<li>graduate diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 6 award<\/li>\n<li>level 6 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 6 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 6 NVQ<\/li>\n<li>ordinary degree without honours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 7 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>integrated master&#8217;s degree (e.g. master of engineering (MEng))<\/li>\n<li>level 7 award<\/li>\n<li>level 7 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 7 diploma<\/li>\n<li>level 7 NVQ<\/li>\n<li>master&#8217;s degree (e.g. Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc))<\/li>\n<li>postgraduate certificate<\/li>\n<li>postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)<\/li>\n<li>postgraduate diploma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>Level 8 Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>doctorate (e.g. doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil)0<\/li>\n<li>level 8 award<\/li>\n<li>level 8 certificate<\/li>\n<li>level 8 diploma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Qualification Level Systems in Other Countries<\/h2>\n<div class=\"category-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"list-content\">\n<h5>Scotland<\/h5>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/scqf.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework<\/a> (SCQF) supports people of all ages and circumstances while studying in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p>You can check what different qualifications mean and compare qualifications in Scotland to the ones available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"list-content\">\n<h5>Outside of the United Kingdom<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Search the &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learning Opportunities and Qualifications in Europe<\/a>&#8216; website for information about overseas courses, to compare European qualifications, and to find work-based learning.<\/li>\n<li>UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre) provides information and advice on academic and vocational qualifications and skills from all over the world. Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naric.org.uk\/naric\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UK NARIC<\/a> to compare a UK qualification with any non-UK qualification (there is a fee for using this service).<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"updated-data\">\n  <strong>What Qualification Levels Mean in the United Kingdom<\/strong><br \/>\n  <time datetime=\"2022-01-01\">Last Updated 2022<\/time>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Almost all qualifications contain a difficulty level. A higher level represents a qualification with a higher degree of difficulty. As a result, there are several ways to determine the level of a qualification. For example, you can: Check through the list of different qualification levels below (used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Search the&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/lifestyle\/education\/what-different-qualification-levels-mean\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What Different Qualification Levels Mean in the United Kingdom<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1302,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Different Qualification Levels Mean in the United Kingdom - UK Rules<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/lifestyle\/education\/what-different-qualification-levels-mean\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Different Qualification Levels Mean in the United Kingdom - UK Rules\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Almost all qualifications contain a difficulty level. 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