A course that meets the entitlement requirements at key stage 4 must give students the opportunity to obtain an approved qualification. This requirement emphasises the significance and substance of the entitlement areas at key stage 4.

Approved qualifications are external qualifications that have been approved by the Secretary of State. There are approved qualifications for students at key stage 4 at a range of levels. These are listed in Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, which is published by the DfES.

You can find below lists of the qualifications approved under Section 96 that meet the requirements of each of the entitlement areas. Where qualifications meet the expectations of the non-statutory guidance for an entitlement area in part, this has been indicated.

Also see

> Statutory requirements at key stage 4

> Entitlement areas

Case Studies

> Entitlement areas at key stage 4

Documents to download

> Approved qualifications in the arts entitlement area

>Approved qualifications in the design and technology entitlement area

>Approved qualifications in the humanities entitlement area

>Approved qualifications in the modern foreign languages entitlement area

QCA Online Shop publications

>Changes to the key stage curriculum: guidance for implementation from September 2004. QCA/03/1167

Other web links

> DfES Section 96

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Page updated: 25 May 2006
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