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
GCSE Grades D - G
All secondary schools offer GCSEs which are assessed by coursework and external examinations.
You could take a GCSE such as Leisure and Tourism alongside more general subjects such as Geography.
Good results in Maths and English are often required by the airlines.
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OCR level 2
The OCR Level 2 National Certificate in
Travel and Tourism www.ocr.org.uk provides the foundation for a range of careers in the travel and tourism industry, not just those in air transport.
Mandatory units are:
- Exploring travel and tourism
- Dealing with customers in travel and tourism
- Investigating tourist destinations
- Promoting travel and tourism
Alternative Level 2 vocational qualifications for those wanting to find employment as airline cabin crew or add to their Travel and Tourism studies are
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OCR level 3
Some level 3 qualifications can be taken full time or part time if you are already working in the industry.
The OCR National Diploma in
Travel and tourism has an
Airports and Airlines specialist pathway covering the UK airport sector and Working as airline cabin crew.
Alternative Level 3 vocational qualifications are:
At this stage you may want to apply to the airlines for employment. Or you could choose to go on with your studies in Travel and Tourism
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HNC/HND
HNDs take two years full time and may combine travel and tourism with commercial aspects of the industry.
Courses in the South East include:
- Airline and airport management
- 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 a few degree courses in London and the South East for airline and airport operations, such as:
- Airline and airport management
- Air transport with commercial pilot training
- Air transport operations
Search
www.ucas.ac.uk for these and more general Travel and tourism degrees such as:
- International travel management
- Travel and tourism management
- Business management travel and tourism
Most have a business or management element and some include an extended work placement
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Masters degree
While you are in work, you can work towards an NVQ level 5 in
Management www.i-l-m.com This is for senior managers with responsibility for deploying resources and strategy.
An alternative would be to consider an
MBA. Check out
www.mbaworld.com