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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Entry level certificate
The BTEC Entry level Certificate in Life Skills offers post 14 students in schools and colleges a starting point on the National Qualifications Framework
The Life Skills course will help you with your personal development skills such as Improving your learning, Assertiveness and Managing money.
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BTEC Introductory
The BTEC Introductory Diploma in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism is a one year full time course that allows you to explore different areas in the sector.
Core units include an introduction to customer service. Specialist units include Work experience and the Aspiring Chef which introduces a range of food preparation and cooking skills and links to units in NVQ Level 1 in Food Preparation and Cooking.
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BTEC First
The BTEC First Diploma in Hospitality provides the foundation for a range of careers in the hospitality industry as well as specialised study for the catering profession. The course usually takes one year full time at college.
Core units give a general introduction to the hospitality business, alongside specialist units in topics such as Basic Culinary skills and Basic costing.
The parallel BTEC First in Hospitality (Business Studies) offers adult learners a work-related qualification about the wider business aspects of the hospitality industry
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BTEC National
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.
The BTEC National Diploma in
Hospitality includes core units on Customer Care and Business Operations. Specialist units cover different aspects of catering such as Food Service Operations, Healthy Eating and European and Asian cuisine
For adult learners, the BTEC National Diploma offers a specialist work-related qualification
An alternative level 3 vocational qualifications is City & Guilds Level 3
Diploma in Professional Cookery www.city-and-guilds.org.uk
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Foundation degree
You could progress to a full time Foundation Degree course, especially if you want to go into management
A Foundation Degree course will put you on the road to management and will give you specialist skills and help you develop:
- Work Skills
- Key Skills such as communication and problem solving
- General Skills such as reasoning and professionalism
Use the course searches at
www.ucas.ac.uk and
www.findfoundationdegree.co.uk to find FdAs in
Hospitality Management and
Food and Culinary Arts
If you want to progress further you can top up a Foundation degree to an honours degree course by transferring into the second or third year of a related course – ask individual Higher Education Institutions about their entry requirements.
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Honours degree
The number of honours degrees in Catering is limited. However, it might be appropriate to think about a
Management (or
Culinary Arts Management) course especially if you want to run your own restaurant or catering business.
Other courses relate to food and nutrition more generally - such as
Nutrition and
Food ScienceCheck
www.ucas.ac.uk for courses and contact individual universities for their entry requirements.