Qualification Levels
There are eight qualification levels and an entry level in the National Qualification Framework.
The levels shown opposite illustrate the qualification from the National Qualification Framework and the corresponding framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
In addition to the qualifications illustrated there is a wide variety of other vocational qualifications e.g. in IT there are qualifications offered by Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco which can be used to complement qualifcations from the framework.
In many cases it is possible to get in-work training in such qualifications.
Entry Level
Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.
Level 1
Level 1 qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.
Level 2
Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.
Level 3
Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.
Level 4
Level 4 qualifications recognise specialist learning and involve detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study. Learning at this level is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others. Level 4 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Certificates of Higher Education.
Level 5
Level 5 qualifications recognise the ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study to enable the formulation of solutions and responses to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high levels of knowledge, a high level of work expertise in job roles and competence in managing and training others. Qualifications at this level are appropriate for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers. Level 5 qualifications are at a level equivalent to intermediate Higher Education qualifications such as Diplomas of Higher Education, Foundation and other degrees that do not typically provide access to postgraduate programmes.
Level 6
Level 6 qualifications recognise a specialist high level knowledge of an area of work or study to enable the use of an individual's own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the achievement of a high level of professional knowledge and is appropriate for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management positions. Level 6 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Bachelors degrees with honours, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas.
Level 7
Level 7 qualifications recognise highly developed and complex levels of knowledge which enable the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high level specialist professional knowledge and is appropriate for senior professionals and managers. Level 7 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas.
Level 8
Level 8 qualifications recognise leading experts or practitioners in a particular field. Learning at this level involves the development of new and creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or professional practice.
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GCSE Grades D - G
All secondary schools offer GCSEs which are assessed by coursework and external examinations.
You could take a GCSE such as Applied Business alongside more general subjects.
Maths and English are important.
You may get the chance to take other level 1 qualifications while you are at school - such as NVQ Level 1 in Customer Service.
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NVQ 2
NVQs can be taken by employees of any age as assessment is in the workplace using real life work examples to build up a portfolio of evidence. They can also be taken as part of an
Accounting Apprenticeship.
NVQ Level 2 in
Accounting from AAT
www.aat.org.uk is the
Foundation level and includes units on income, receipts and payments as well as working with computerised accounting systems.
Level 2 Accounting is also offered by Edexcel
www.edexcel.com and City & Guilds
www.cityandguilds.co.uk or a more general
Business and Administration.
For more information on the Accountancy Apprenticeship framework visit
www.fssc.org For more information on Apprenticeships generally visit
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
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NVQ 3
NVQ Level 3 in
Accounting from AAT
www.aat.org.uk is the
Intermediate level and includes units on preparing reports and returns and Preparing Accounts. Assessment is in the workplace together with some exams.
Level 3 Accounting is also offered by Edexcel
www.edexcel.com and City & Guilds
www.cityandguilds.co.ukFor more information on the Accountancy Apprenticeship framework visit
www.fssc.org For more information on Apprenticeships generally visit
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
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NVQ level 4
You can continue gaining qualifications through the NVQ route. An NVQ Level 4 in
Accounting from the AAT
www.aat.org.uk is for those with responsibility for managing colleagues and resource management and some of the units are related to specific areas such as cash management and credit control and Drafting financial statements.
With AAT NVQ Level 4 you are a qualified
Accounting Technician and can apply for full membership of the AAT (
MAAT). You may be able to get exemption from the first level of professional qualifications from UK Chartered Accountancy bodies.
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Honours degree
If you want to get a degree while working, the Open University www.open.ac.uk offers distance learning courses in Business Studies or an Open Degree to fit around work and home commitments.
You may want to consider a different subject area to reflect you work or personal interests.
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Professional qualifications level 6
Alternatively, you could start on the road to professional qualifications in Accounting, perhaps with CIPFA or CIMA
With the AAT Technician qualification you may be able to fast track and be exempt from some of the initial papers.