Level 2 qualifications can be studied in school, further education, or work based training. They may be studied alongside qualifications at other levels.
GCSE Grade A* to C
GCSE Qualifications are usually studied in years 10 and 11, GCSE's can take one or two years to complete. They are offered in specific (usually academic) subjects such as Mathematics, Geography, French or Art. In school the Government makes some subjects compulsory, but after school people usually have a free choice of subjects. There are normally no entry requirements unless you are resitting a subject. In some cases you may be able to resit a GCSE in November, but this needs to be agreed with the college.
In any subjects the coursework affects the final grade, although there are exams at the end of the course. GCSE's are graded a* (the highest) to G (the lowest). Grades A*, A, B and C are considered good passes and are level 2 qualifications. Grades D, E, F and G are considered passes and are level 1 qualifications.
Intermediate GNVQ
Intermediate GNVQ are broad based qualifications that are linked to a general area of work, such as Business, Science or Health and Social Care. They also include key skills (such as IT, use of numbers and communication) and some work experience. There are modular tests at regular intervals during the courses, and assignments and projects that count towards the final grade. GNVQ qualifications are graded as Distinction, Merit or Pass, and are available at two levels:
Foundation - a pass is broadly equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades D to G and is at level 1.
Intermediate - usually regarded as equivalent to 4 or 5 GCSEs grade A to C and is at level 2.
The intermediate course can sometimes be studied as a "Part Award" rather than following the whole course.
There are no particular entry requirements for foundation GNVQ's, but a level 1 qualification is required for entry to an intermediate GNVQ. GNVQ's usually last for 1 year and may be studied alongside As or A2 courses.
BTEC 1st Diploma
BTEC diplomas and certificates are modular courses (a certificate has fewer modules than a diploma) covering specific areas subjects directly related to the world of work, such as Sports Studies or Health and Social Care.
Courses are project and assignment based, with continuous assessment and some tests, and may include work experience. The qualifications are graded Distinction, Merit or Pass and are offered at 3 levels:
BTEC 1st qualifications last 1 year and are at level 2.
BTEC National qualifications last 2 years and are at level 3.
BTEC Higher National qualifications last 2 - 3 years and are at level 4.
BTEC 1st qualifications usually require GCSEs at grade D-G for entry, the National qualifications require 4 GCSE grades A - C, and the Higher National qualifications usually require a level 3 qualification for entry. top of page
NVQ Level 2
National Vocational Qualifications relate to the world of work and show you have the skills to do a particular job. They can be studied totally in a workplace, or partly in a workplace and partly at college. There is a wide range of NVQs covering many jobs, from Business Administration to Hairdressing or engineering, and they are offered at five levels. Many people choose NVQs if they want to gain a qualification while at work, and that is directly related to their job. NVQ's also include key skills such as IT and working with numbers.
NVQs are not time bound, but each level usually takes around a year to complete. The work is mainly practical and is based upon building up a portfolio of evidence to support your knowledge. There are no particular entry requirements for level 1 NVQs, but other levels usually require a qualification at the level below for entry.