The National Qualifications Framework

Whatever qualifications your teenager is working towards in Years 10 and 11, they will be nationally recognised and valued by employers and educational institutions.

How do all the different qualifications relate to each other and where do they lead?

The expansion in the range of courses for 14-19 year olds means that some qualifications will be unfamiliar. You may be asking how these qualifications compare to GCSEs or A levels and where they might lead.

For example, can someone with a 14-19 Diploma at Level 2 progress on to do A levels?

The answer is yes, because all qualifications are graded and grouped into a level with other qualifications requiring the same depth of knowledge, skills and understanding. So if you look at the framework diagram below, you will see that the Diploma Level 2 is at the same qualification level as GCSEs at grades A*-C. Also, someone with a Level 3 Diploma can go on to university.

In the national framework, qualifications are divided into nine levels, ranging from Entry Level certificates to postgraduate and professional qualifications at Level 8. The higher the level, the greater is the depth of knowledge, skills and understanding needed for the qualification. It is the courses leading to different qualifications that vary in content, learning styles and methods of assessment.

This national framework has created more opportunities and flexible pathways to move from one level to another. With up-to-date information and guidance from teachers and Connexions personal advisers, your teenager can plot a route through the framework and move across qualification types, as well as from one level to another. This will enable them to carry on learning (full or part time) after Year 11 and beyond.

Qualification level	Achievment level	Examples of qualifications at this level
Entry Level	Builds a basic level of knowledge, understanding and skills.	Entry Level certificates at Levels 1, 2 or 3, in a range of areas including National Curriculum subjects, life skills, functional skills, and skills for working life.
Level 1	Basic knowledge, understanding and skills, and the ability to apply learning to everyday situations.	All GCSE grades D-G; 14-19 Diploma Level 1; Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) Level 1 certificates; functional and key skills Level 1; Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) Level 1, for example: BTEC Introductory or City & Guilds Level 1; National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 1.
Level 2	Building knowledge and/or skills in relation to subject or sector areas; gaining the ability to apply learning to a varied range of tasks. This is seen as the minimum level required by employers and is critical to going on to further study and higher skill levels.	All GCSE grades A*-C; 14-19 Diploma Level 2; functional and key skills Level 2; VRQ Level 2, for example: City & Guilds Level 2 or BTEC First Certificates and Diplomas; NVQ Level 2.
Level 3	Learning at this level involves in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills, and a higher level of application. Appropriate for people who want to go into higher education, further training or employment.	All GCE AS and A levels; Advanced Extension Awards; 14-19 Diploma Level 3; functional and key skills Level 3; VRQ Level 3, for example: Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas; NVQ Level 3; International Baccalaureate.
Levels 4-8	Specialist learning that involves a high level of knowledge in a specific occupational role or study. Appropriate for people working in, or wishing to progress to, specialised technical and professional roles, which can involve managing and developing others.	Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education; Bachelor's degrees; postgraduate qualifications; professional qualifications; Foundation degrees; Higher National Certificates and Diplomas; key skills Level 4; NVQ Levels 4 and 5.