Many adults find that when they consider returning to education, the qualifications available to them have changed so much since they were at school that they are unable to understand what they all mean. In this chapter a description of the most common British qualifications available for adults interested in returning to learning is provided.

However, some of the following qualifications, at first, seem to be very complicated. If you do not understand what some of them mean, speak to your tutor or an advice worker. Adults tend to find that when they begin returning to education, the mass of qualifications on offer become easier to understand, so please don’t be put off or feel overwhelmed by this chapter – you will come to understand with time.

FURTHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

New A Levels (AS and A2)

Traditional A Levels have been replaced by a two-tier system and we are probably all familiar with the recent controversy this has created. Students study for the AS Level in the first year. Normally four subjects are chosen although some students will study five subjects. The AS Level is a qualification in its own right, so some students decide to finish their study after the first year. If students want to obtain the full A Level, they go on to study the A2 Level in the second year. Normally students are required to choose three subjects from the four studied in the previous year. The A2 Level, however, is not a qualification in its own right.

Vocational A Levels (AVCE)

This is the new name for the Advanced GNVQ. These qualifications are designed to offer more emphasis on vocational education and training, encouraging students to foster links with employers and work as part of a team. The AVCEs are available at three levels:

• 3 units = AS Level
• 6 units = 1 A Level
• 12 units = 2 A Levels.

Scottish National Qualifications

Scottish qualifications have been reorganised recently and the changes should make it easier for adults returning to education. The new National Qualifications provide a broader range of options for progression from standard grade and are available at five different levels – Access, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher. The qualifications are made up of three units and each of these units (National Units) is a qualification in its own right. Students are able to build up National Qualifications and Units into Scottish Group Awards. These are larger qualifications built up unit by unit and can be equivalent to degrees, diplomas, HNDs, etc.

National Vocational Qualifications

These are work-related, competence based vocational qualifications. A list of competencies in a particular occupation is drawn up and a person has to demonstrate that they can meet the competence level required. Most NVQs are studied by people in full-time employment, although some can be studied at college with off-site training. There are five different levels of NVQ:

• NVQ level 1 = GCSE D/E grades
• NVQ level 2 = GCSE C grade
• NVQ level 3 = A Level
• NVQ level 4 = Degree/HND
• NVQ level 5 = postgraduate diploma/degree or professional qualification.

City and Guilds Qualifications

City and Guilds provide vocational awards in over 400 work-related areas. They are designed to recognise skills used in the workplace and prove a person has practical skills in addition to theoretical knowledge. City and Guilds qualifications are available at a number of different levels in many occupations, ranging from catering to plumbing.

Access to Higher Education

Access courses are provided for people who wish to enter higher education through a route other than A Levels (see Chapter 2). Access courses can be studied full-time over one year, or part-time over two years. Successful completion of an access course leads to a ‘kitemarked’ award. The awards qualify students for entry into higher education.

National Open College Network

The National Open College Network (NOCN) was established in 1986. It is the UK’s foremost provider of accreditation services for adult learning and is a major national qualification awarding body, offering qualifications from Entry Level to Level Three/Advanced in a wide range of subjects.

NOCN qualifications are designed with adults in mind and, in particular, are suitable for people who do not wish to follow traditional academic routes. Students are able to build up credits, accumulating and transferring the credits according to their needs. This means that you can study different courses at a variety of institutions if you wish. It also means that you can achieve qualifications in small steps over an amount of time that suits you. When enough credits have been accumulated, a full qualification is awarded. The credits are generally accepted as a means of entry to further study by further and higher education providers, and by a large number of employers and trainers. The accreditation service is designed to help learner motivation, achievement and progression.

The following list explains the level of credits on offer:

• Entry Level – measures individual progress, particularly in basic skills and self-confidence
• Level One – broadly comparable to NVQ Level 1, GNVQ Foundation and GCSE grades D to G
• Level Two – Broadly comparable to NVQ Level 2, GNVQ Intermediate and GCSE grades A to C
• Level Three – Broadly comparable to NVQ Level 3, GNVQ Advanced and A Levels.

Open College Networks (OCNs) are licensed by the NOCN. They are locally managed, not-for-profit partnerships that provide a flexible local accreditation service for a wide range of learning activities.

OCN partnership organisations include:

• adult and community education centres
• further education and sixth form colleges
• voluntary and community organisations
• universities and higher education institutions
• trades unions and employers
• local education authorities
• training organisations.

You can find out about Open College Network (OCN) courses from your local college or from Learndirect (see Chapter 2). Or you can visit the NOCN website which contains a map and linked websites of all the OCNs in the UK. These provide detailed descriptions of available opportunities.

For further information, contact the NOCN:

HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

First Degrees

Most higher education courses lead to a First Degree. This could be a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a Bachelor of Education (BEd). Most First Degree courses tend to run over three years for full-time study, although some full-time degree courses may run over four years, with one year for work or study placement. Degrees can also be taken part-time and may run for around five years. Some degrees are academic in nature, such as those in history or sociology, whereas others are more vocationally orientated, such as those in education or engineering.

In many higher education institutions subjects are now studied in modules. This means that students can study a variety of modules which make up their degree. In a standard year a student would need to complete 120 credits by studying a selection of modules, each worth anything from ten credits upwards. Some institutions, however, tend to follow a more traditional, single subject course, or specify the amount and type of modules that can be taken together.

First Degrees tend to be classified in the following way:

• 1st (over 70% in exams and coursework)
• 2:1 (60–69%)
• 2:2(50–59%)
• 3rd (40–49%)
• Fail (less than 40% in coursework and exams).

Higher National Diploma and Higher National Certificate

Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) tend to be studied fulltime over two years and are advanced, vocational courses that relate to a particular occupation or field. The Higher National Certificate (HNC) is usually the part-time alternative to HNDs. Some students without the required entry qualifications for a full degree enrol on an HND course and then move on to a degree course.

Foundation Degree

Foundation Degrees are new, vocational, two-year courses. Eventually they will replace the HND. These Foundation Degrees suit adult learners by providing a shorter, alternative degree-level qualification, with an emphasis on employability skills and specialist technical knowledge.

Diploma/Certificate of Higher Education

These qualifications are offered by many higher education institutions. The certificate is generally studied over one year full-time and the diploma usually takes two years of full-time study, although both can be studied part-time. Following the completion of a diploma or certificate in higher education, students gain credits which can be built up towards a degree course at a later stage.

POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are studied over one year full-time, two-years part-time or through distance learning. The qualifications are available in a wide range of subjects and tend to be vocationally orientated. The certificate is at a lower level than the diploma. These qualifications are available as stand alone courses or can be part of a Master’s course.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCEs) are available for people with a first degree who want to go into teaching. The courses are generally either one year full-time or two years part-time and students are required to carry out a good deal of classroom practice during their course.

Master’s Degree

Masters’ Degrees tend to be studied by people who have already received a first degree, although adults who are able to demonstrate a suitable level of work experience and competence may be admitted to a course without a first degree. Masters’ Degrees are either taught for at least one year full-time or two years part-time, although some institutions will offer the courses through distance learning. Some Masters’ courses are not taught courses but are research courses which mean that a student undertakes a piece of research, usually over two years.

Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a qualification for those people interested in management and business. People who are able to demonstrate the required level of experience and competence will be accepted onto a course without a first degree. Courses can be studied full-time over one year, part-time over two years or through distance learning. Part-time courses are becoming increasingly popular as people can combine the course with employment. Evening classes or distance learning also make studying for an MBA easier for employed adults.

Doctor of Philosophy

Studying for a postgraduate Doctorate involves in-depth research into a specific topic, decided upon by the student or institution. Entrants will need a first degree or a Master’s Degree to be accepted on a doctorate programme. A student may conduct the research over a three or four year period full-time or over four to five years part-time, although some people take much longer to obtain their Doctorate.

New route PhD

Using this route a student can study for a Doctorate over a four-year period and combine a specific research project with a coherent programme of formal course work and professional skills development.

SUMMARY

A useful way to consider British qualifications is to look at further education level, higher education level and postgraduate level, as the following list illustrates:

• Further education qualifications:
  • new A Levels (AS and A2)
  • vocational A Levels (AVCE)
  • Scottish National Qualifications
  • National Vocational Qualifications
  • City and Guilds Qualifications
  • access to higher education
  • National Open College Network.
• Higher education qualifications:
  • First Degrees
  • Higher National Diploma and Higher National Certificate
  • Foundation Degree
  • Diploma/Certificate of Higher Education.
• Postgraduate qualifications:
  • Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education
  • Master’s Degree
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • New Route PhD.