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.
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
C & G level 1
The City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in
Office Procedures is for those who are working or would like to work in first-level clerical roles. The course covers general office work, communications, safety, basic procedures and systems and the use of machinery and equipment It can be taken at the same time as other Level 1 qualifications.
As an alternative, EDI
www.ediplc.com offers Level 1 Certificates in
Audio transcription and Text Production.
OCR
www.ocr.org.uk has a Certificate in
Business and Administration.
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Vocational qualifications level 2
The City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in
Office Procedures or the Certificate in
Business and Administration provide the foundation for a range of careers as well as responsibility for operating and following policies and procedures, working with others and utilising basic IT principles within a business environment.
The full qualification usually takes one year full time at college but units can be taken separately.
Specialist routes include
Leisure travel and
Business travel.
Alternative Level 2 qualifications are
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
Vocational qualifications Level 3
The BTEC National Diploma in
Business (Administration) course includes a wide range of units on administrative functions in business.
BTEC National qualifications usually last two years full-time or three part-time. They include supervisory and management skills.
You will learn through a combination of classroom lessons, practical classes, assignments, projects and work placements/simulations. Your work will be assessed by your teachers/lecturers through coursework, a portfolio and some external tests.
Alternative Level 3 vocational qualifications are:
- City & Guilds Advanced Diploma in Business Administration www.cityandguilds.co.uk
- OCR Nationals in Administration www.ocr.org.uk
- EDI www.ediplc.com Certificates in Business and Administration (Organisations and People)
- Vocational A levels such as Business
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HNC/HND
HNDs take two years full time. Business is sometimes combined with other subjects.
There is a wide range of courses in the South East including:
- Business
- Business studies with finance
- Business and management
- Business(e-business strategies)
- Business (Information Technology)
- Business Plus
Search
www.ucas.ac.uk for a list of HND courses.
You can generally progress from an HND into the second or third year of a related honours degree – ask individual Higher Education Institutions about their entry requirements.
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Honours degree
There are several degree courses relevant to Business Administration in the South East. Some are combined with other subjects such as Finance, Computing or Marketing and may include an extended work placement.
Courses include:
- Business Administration
- Business Administration (Top up)
- Business and Management (Top up)
- Business Studies
Check
www.ucas.ac.uk for courses and contact individual universities for their entry requirements.
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Masters degree
Masters degrees allow you to extend your studies or branch out into other areas of administration.
Check out
www.findamasters.com or
www.prospects.ac.uk for ideas such as
Business AdministrationBusiness and EnterpriseInternational Business Management
Business Analysis
With a few years management experience you could take an
MBA (Master of Business Administration). Some universities, including the Open University
www.open.ac.uk, offer MBAs by distance learning to fit in with work and home commitments.