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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C & G level 1
The City & Guilds Introductory Diploma in Travel and Tourism is a one year full time course that gives a broad background and allows you to explore different areas in the sector.
Units include an Introduction to the travel industry and an Introduction to retail travel services. Individual units can be taken if you are working.
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C & G level 2
The City & Guilds First Diploma in Travel and Tourism provides the foundation for a range of careers in the travel and tourism industry as well as specialised study for the sector. 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.
An alternative Level 2 qualification is the BTEC First in Travel and Tourism which includes units on European holiday destinations and UK Travel and tourism destinations.
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C & G level 3
The two year City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced National Diploma in Business travel or Leisure Travel also has Leisure travel and Business travel as specialist routes.
Both of these cover Worldwide travel and tourism destinations and Customer service.
An alternative level 3 vocational qualification is the BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism which includes units on Retail and business travel operations and Marketing travel and tourism products and services.
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.
If you do well at level 3 you may be able to go directly to an honours degree course, or you could choose to take an HND first.
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HNC/HND
HNDs take two years full time and some combine travel and tourism with commercial aspects of the industry.
Courses in the South East include:
- Travel and tourism
- Travel and tourism management
- International travel and tourism management
- Business studies with travel and tourism
- Business with travel and tourism management
- Business travel and tourism
Search
www.ucas.ac.uk for a list of relevant 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 Travel Agency in the South East. Most have a business or management element and some include an extended work placement.
Courses include:
- International travel management
- Travel and tourism marketing
- Travel and tourism management
- Business management travel and tourism
- Tourism management with cruise and travel ops
Check
www.ucas.ac.uk for courses.
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Masters degree
Masters degrees allow you to extend your studies or branch out into other areas of tourism.
Taught Masters courses include
- Tourism Management
- Tourism Environment and Development
- Ecotourism
- Tourism Marketing
Some of these are offered as postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas
Use the
Graduate Prospects course search
www.prospects.ac.uk and
www.findamasters.com to find local courses.