General
Level 4 qualifications cannot be studied in school. They are available in further and higher education or work based training. They can be studied alongside other levels, though this is not usual.
Degrees
The main types of degree are BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science) and BEd (Bachelor of Education). They are usually 'honours' but can be 'ordinary' and can include work experience.
Most degrees last three or four years but some specialist ones can last up to six years. A single honours degree means studying one main subject. A joint honours means studying two subjects and combined honours involves studying two or more subjects.
Entry requirements are a minimum of three GCSEs (grades A-C) plus A Levels in two (preferably three) other subjects or a mixture of A/AS Levels, BTEC National, Advanced GNVQ Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education, or International Baccalaureate.
Foundation Degree
The foundation degree is a new qualification covering a specific work area. They are designed in conjunction with employers to be relevant to the world of work. They are very flexible in the way they are taught and in what entry requirements are expected. If studied full time, they will last for two years. A foundation degree should offer a progression route to a full degree. They are classed as level 4 qualifications.
BTEC Higher 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 4
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.