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Suitability of qualifications for different groups of learners

This page contains information on the following types of qualifications (approved under Sections 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act), requirements, implications and restrictions:

To apply for the accreditation of a new qualification, awarding bodies should fill in the relevant proposal form for the qualification type. In the relevant form the awarding body is asked to identify for which age groups of learners approval is sought and to give a rationale for this proposal.

Adult literacy and numeracy

In England, adult literacy and numeracy qualifications are automatically recommended for approval for all groups of learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.

The relevant proposal form should be completed by the awarding body with a rationale should the qualification not be recommended for pre-16 approval.

Entry level qualifications

Entry level qualifications are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.

The relevant proposal form should be completed by the awarding body with a rationale, should the qualification not be recommended for pre-16 approval.

ESOL / Skills for life

All English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) / Skills for Life qualifications are recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.

Further information on these qualifications can be found at the ESOL Skills for Life website, which can be found on this page.

Key skills qualifications

All six key skills qualifications levels 1 to 3 are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.

Key skills qualifications at level 4 are automatically recommended for approval for learners aged 16+. The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a level 1-3 qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 or a level 4 for 16+ details should be provided on the form.

Further information on key skills qualifications can be found at the Key skills website or by contacting the Key Skills team on 020 7509 5357.

GCSE qualifications

GCSE qualifications are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why the qualification should not be available to a certain age group.

The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a particular qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 details should be provided on the form.

Further information on GCSE qualifications can be found on the 14-19 learning website.

AS/A levels and AEAs

These qualifications are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why the qualification should not be available to a certain age group.

The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a particular qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 details should be provided on the form.

Further information on AS/A level qualifications and AEAs can be found on the 14-19 learning website.

Free standing mathematics qualifications

Free standing mathematics qualifications (FSMQs) at levels 1 and 2 are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for learners aged 16+.

These levels are not recommended for approval for learners aged pre-16 as this age cohort should be following qualifications that are designed to cover the statutory national curriculum programme of study in mathematics, such as GCSEs.

FSMQs at level 3 are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.

The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a particular qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 details should be provided in the space available on the form.

Further information on FSMQs can be found on the qualifications page or by contacting Richard Browne, senior mathematics adviser, at browner@qca.org.uk or on 020 7509 5737.

Qualifications meeting the common criteria

Awarding bodies must complete the relevant proposal form, giving a rationale for the choice of age approval categories.

Learners aged under 16

In general, level 1 and 2 qualifications of this type are potentially suitable for use by learners aged under 16. Some level 3 qualifications may also be suitable, for example to meet the needs of gifted pupils or those starting advanced level programmes before the end of year 11.

For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged under 16 see the following headings:

  • 'Maturity, social well being and health and safety'
  • 'Progressions from key stage 3'
  • 'Developing the 14-19 phase'.

Learners aged 16 to 18

In general, levels 1 to 3 are potentially suitable for learners aged 16 to 18.

Learners aged 18 and above

Certain qualifications of all levels may be suitable only for learners aged 18 and above.

For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged 18 and above see the heading 'Statutory or other restrictions'.

Learners aged 19 and above

In general, all qualifications of this type are likely to be suitable for learners aged 19 and above.

Higher level qualifications

The chart below is a comparison of original and revised national aualifications framework (NQF) levels with broad indications of framework for higher education qualification (FHEQ) levels. For further information please contact Katie Deith (deithk@qca.org.uk).

National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Framework for Higher Education Qualification levels (FHEQ)

Original levels Revised levels

5

Level 5 NVQ in Construction

Project Management*

Level 5 Diploma in Translation

8

Specialist awards

D (doctoral)

doctorates

7

Level 7 Diploma in Translation

M (masters)

masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas

4

Level 4 NVQ in Advice and Guidance*

Level 4 Diploma in Management

Level 4 BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design

Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice

6

Level 6 Diploma in Management

H (honours)

bachelors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas

5

Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design

I (intermediate)

diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees, higher national diplomas

4

Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice

C (certificate)

certificates of higher education

3
(There is no change to level 3 in the revised NQF)

Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Care

Level 3 NVQ in Aeronautical Engineering

A levels

2
(There is no change to level 3 in the revised NQF)

Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists

Level 2 NVQ in Agricultural Crop Production

GCSEs Grades A*-C

1
(There is no change to level 3 in the revised NQF)

Level 1 Certificate in Motor Vehicle Studies

Level 1 NVQ in Bakery

GCSEs Grades D-G

Entry
(There is no change to level 3 in the revised NQF)

Entry Level Certificate in Adult Literacy

*Revised levels are not currently being implemented for NVQs at level 4 and level 5. For up-to-date information please visit the NDAQ website (Formerly openQUALS).

Please note that currently titles such as ‘certificate’ and ‘diploma’ are not indicators of the level of a qualification.

Learners aged under 16

Higher level qualifications are not normally eligible for approval for learners aged under 16.

Learners aged 16 to 18

In general, qualifications at levels 4, 5 or 6 may be approved for learners aged 16 and above. Qualifications at levels 7 or 8 are not normally eligible for approval with this cohort. There may, however, be exceptional circumstances where high achievement is common within this age group. Such examples could include graded music examinations.

Learners aged 18 and above

Certain qualifications at levels 4, 5 or 6 may be suitable only for learners aged 18 and above.
For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged 18 and above see the heading 'Statutory or other restrictions'.

Learners aged 19 and above

In general, all higher level qualifications (that is, levels 4 and above) are likely to be suitable for learners aged 19 and above.

National vocational qualifications

Awarding bodies must complete the relevant proposal form, giving a rationale for the choice of age approval categories.

Learners aged under 16

In general, NVQs at levels 1 and 2 are potentially suitable for use pre-16.

If pre-16 is chosen as the age category the awarding body must supply a rationale for this and evidence of SSC or sector body support for this choice of age category.

For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged under 16 see the following headings:

  • 'Maturity, social well being and health and safety'
  • 'Supporting progression from key stage 3'
  • 'Support of relevant sector skills councils'
  • 'Developing the 14-19 phase'.

Learners aged 16 to 18

In general, NVQs at levels 1-3 are potentially suitable for learners aged 16 to 18. NVQs at level 4 may also be considered according to need.

Learners aged 18 and above

Certain NVQs of all levels may be suitable only for learners aged 18 and above.

For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged 18 and above see the heading 'Statutory or other restrictions'.

Learners aged 19 and above

In general, all NVQs are likely to be suitable for learners aged 19 and above.

Further information on NVQs can be found on the QCA website 'National vocational qualifications' page or on the 14-19 learning website.

Maturity, social well-being and health and safety requirements

This principle refers to the suitability of the qualification for pre-16-year-olds. It is important to note that this principle refers to pre-16 students working towards the qualification in school, college or work-based settings, and not simply in 'classrooms'.

Pre-16 students are of widely differing maturity and it is the school’s responsibility to match learning demands and contexts appropriately to students’ needs and capabilities. Features of a qualification that may make it inappropriate on the basis of maturity may relate to the level of responsibility, managerial/supervisory activity or confidentiality required by its content, assessment or work-based assessment setting.

Clearly, any statutory age restrictions applying to work in the setting required for assessment would also render a qualification inappropriate.

Pre-16 students also have widely differing needs in terms of social well-being. Features of a qualification that may make it inappropriate on the basis of social well-being are likely to relate to the required setting for work-based assessment, such as those requiring unsocial hours, isolated work conditions, or settings such as a morgue, slaughterhouse etc.

Features of a qualification that may make it inappropriate on the basis of health and safety may include use of machines, vehicles or chemicals and work at heights. Also assessment in settings that are inherently unsafe for this age group, for example underground or on offshore rigs may also make the pre-16 age category inappropriate.

Supporting progression from key stage 3

This principle refers to the qualification supporting progression from key stage 3 to key stage 4 so that learners can consolidate their earlier achievements. Qualifications should take account of learning at key stage 3 and facilitate progression in terms of size and content.

Support of the relevant sector skills council

For NVQs to be approved pre-16 the support of the relevant SSC is required to confirm the qualification’s suitability in terms of health and safety, social well-being and maturity requirements.

Developing the 14-19 phase

The government has stated and demonstrated its intention to develop 14-19 as a more coherent phase of learning, with young people having access to a range of qualifications and in particular to a strong vocational offer.

A range of policy documents and speeches have set out a commitment to:

  • more individualised provision, matched to young people’s needs, strengths, interests and career aspirations
  • diverse opportunities 14-19, with broad and coherent learning programmes that lead to high-quality qualifications and secure progression routes
  • a more flexible key stage 4 and increased opportunity for vocational learning from 14
  • work-related learning as a statutory requirement at key stage 4
  • building young people's skills, their ability to think logically and creatively and their capacity for enterprise, innovation and contribution to their community
  • differentiated pace through the phase with young people taking qualifications when they are ready;
  • closer partnerships between schools and other providers
  • further development of apprenticeships and the work-based learning route
  • greater involvement of employers in developing qualifications and supporting learning.

These developments mean that students in the 14-19 phase, including those at key stage 4, will have access to a wider range of opportunities and qualifications.

The 2004 achievement and attainment tables (published in January 2005) were the first to include all approved qualifications taken by 15-year-olds. This removes a disincentive on the part of schools to offer qualifications beyond GCSE/GNVQ and is likely to increase the curriculum offer in many schools.

GNVQ qualifications are being withdrawn progressively between 2005 and 2007. A range of alternative qualifications at levels 1 and 2 is available, some established and some more recently developed. Those with features in common with the GNVQs have been mapped against the GNVQ in each vocational area and reports have been published to help providers choose replacements or new provision.

As the government is committed to building parity of esteem between general and vocational pathways, it wants to ensure that vocational options are available to students of all abilities. It is important that the range of approved vocational qualifications and NVQs includes qualifications at entry level, level 1 and level 2 and, for some higher attainers, at level 3.

Government policy is moving towards less age-relatedness in qualifications use, with an emphasis on flexible progression pathways from 14 to 19. They expect some students to attain level 3 qualifications before they are 16, and others to take longer to achieve level 2 qualifications at 17 or 18. Many students may start a course leading to a qualification pre-16 and complete it post-16. Others may take units of a qualification to broaden and complement their other courses.

The increased flexibility programme provides funding for enhanced vocational opportunities to 14- to 16-year-olds, enabling them to study in further education colleges, with training providers and in workplaces. The qualifications most frequently used are the GCSEs in vocational subjects, followed by approved NVQs, though there is scope for the use of a wider range within the programme.

The first young apprenticeships for 14- to 16-year-olds were introduced in 2004/5, offering progression into apprenticeship as well as to other routes. They are intended for students working at level 2 and involve around 50 days experience of work over the two years. The statutory requirements at key stage 4 apply to these students. As this programme is extended to a wider range of sectors and to involve more students, it is important that appropriate level 2 qualifications are available for them to take.

In addition to these groups, there is a small proportion of students taking extended work-related programmes at key stage 4, some of them because they are not in mainstream provision. They tend to spend one to three days per week in a further education college, with a training provider, in the workplace or a combination of these. In these settings they may be working towards approved NVQs or vocational qualifications. In a few cases, where a provider is able to offer the statutory requirements, students may spend all their time out of school.

Statutory or other restrictions

The 18+ option under Section 96 should be used where statutory considerations mean that a qualification would be inappropriate for anyone younger than 18, but where it is important in terms of progression for 18-year-olds to be able to access the qualification rather than having to wait until they are 19.

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