General
Level 3 qualifications cannot normally be studied in school (except for in a sixth form). They are available in further education or work based training, and can be studied alongside other levels.
A2 and AS levels
The General Certificate in Education (GCE) A2 and AS levels is the 3 unit GCE. It provides progression between GCSE at level 2 and the full A level. It is both the first half of an A level and a qualification in its own right. All A level specifications include an AS. There are some free-standing AS qualifications that do not lead to a full A level. AS levels on their own usually last 1 year.
The A level is the 6 unit GCE. It consists of the AS and a further three units called the A2, usually studied in the second year.
AS and A levels have an entry requirement of several GCSE passes at grades A - C and can be studied alongside other qualifications. They are all level 3 qualifications.
AS and A levels normally contain a proportion of coursework up to 30 per cent, (though some practical or creative subjects have more). All GCE A levels are academic courses in specific subjects, and contain an assessment at the end of the course that tests students’ understanding of the whole subject.
'Advanced Extension' (AE) awards take an A level slightly further for the most able students. These are only available in some subjects and at some establishments.
Vocational A levels
Vocational A levels (also known as Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education or AVCE) are broad based qualifications that are linked to an area of work (e.g. Business, Science, Health and Social Care, Leisure and Tourism).
Vocational A levels can be studied in three ways - all at level 3:
Advanced VCE (Single Award) - roughly equivalent to 1 GCE A level (6 units).
Advanced VCE (Double award ) - roughly equivalent to 2 GCE A levels (12 units).
There is also a 3 unit Vocational A level roughly equivalent to an AS level. Each unit is separately assessed, and many students will choose these qualifications because of their emphasis on coursework and assignments. They are graded A (highest pass), B, C, D and E (lowest pass). Students may study Key Skills in addition to their main subjects. The full AVCE will last for 2 years and has an entry requirement of 4 GCSE at grade A - C.
BTEC National 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.
NVQ Level 3
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. NVQs 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 NVQ's, but other levels usually require a qualification at the level below for entry.