16+ Qualifications

There are a variety of nationally recognised qualifications which are available at schools and colleges and through work based learning providers.

AS/A2 Courses

You can take a combination of Advanced Level courses to suit you. You can take A levels (AS level is taken at the end of your first year, and A2 is taken at the end of your second) in traditional subjects or in specialist skills' subjects. These specialist A levels may be called ‘Applied', e.g. Applied Art and Design, Applied Business, Applied ICT, Applied Science.

In Year 12, you usually take a broad range of AS (Advanced Subsidiary) subjects – perhaps 3 or 4, occasionally 5. An AS level is made up of 3 units and can either form the first part of a full A level (which is made up of 6 units) or stand as a qualification on its own. In Year 13 you usually specialise in 2, 3 or 4 of the subjects you studied at AS level, taking A2 examinations at the end of the course. Some AS and A levels are 'Double Awards', so an AS Double Award would be made up of 6 units and an A level Double Award would have 12 units. These would be equal to two AS levels or two A levels.

BTEC

BTEC qualifications include Introductory BTEC, First BTEC Diploma, BTEC National Diploma, and Higher National Certificates and Diplomas. They are available in subjects such as Performing Arts, Logistics, Graphic Design, Music, Sport, Business and Beauty Therapy. Your school or college might offer BTEC Introductory, First or
National Certificates or Diplomas.
See www.edexcel.org.uk for more information.

OCR Awards

OCR(Oxford, Cambridge and RSA qualifications) provide National First Awards, National Certificates and Diplomas and Progression Awards in vocational areas such as Administration, IT, Languages and Education.
Log on to www.ocr.org.uk to find out more.

City and Guilds

City & Guilds qualifications are also available at different levels in a variety of work areas such as Floristry, Motor Mechanics, IT, Journalism and Plumbing.
www.city-and-guilds.co.uk has more information.

CACHE

CACHE offer qualifications in Childcare. For more information see www.cache.org.uk.

GCSEs and 'Re-sits'

If you haven't yet achieved grade C or above in GCSE English Language and Maths, some schools and colleges will give you the opportunity to resit. These two subjects are fundamental for entry into a many careers and necessary for entry into some universities. Some school sixth forms and colleges will offer other GCSEs and 're-sits'.