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 Leisure and Tourism or Applied Art & Design alongside more general subjects such as Geography and History.
Maths, English and Science are all important.
You may get the chance to take some vocational qualifications in Travel and tourism while you are still at school
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NVQ 2
NVQs are suitable for those already working in the heritage sector who want to get recognition for their workplace skills and learning. NVQs involve building up a portfolio of evidence and workplace assessment
The NVQ Level 2
Museums, Galleries & Heritage (Heritage care and visitor services) is from EDI
www.goalonline.co.uk If you work directly with visitors, an alternative would be an NVQ 2 in
Customer service.
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NVQ 3
NVQ Level 3 is for those in employment with some responsibility for supervising other staff.
Specific qualifications from EDI
www.goalonline.co.uk are:
- Cultural heritage operations (Conservation)
- Cultural heritage operations (Curatorial)
- Cultural heritage operations (Education and interpretation)
- Cultural heritage operations (Technical)
- Archaeological practice (Finds)
- Archaeological practice (Information)
- Archaeological practice (Investigation)
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NVQ level 4
NVQ Level 4 is for established practitioners wanting to gain the skills, experience and knowledge they need to progress to a higher grade and undertake greater responsibilities.
The following NVQs from EDI
www.goalonline.co.uk are specifically designed for heritage employees:
- Cultural heritage (Conservation)
- Cultural heritage (Curatorial)
- Cultural heritage (Education and interpretation)
- Archaeological practice (Conservation)
- Archaeological practice (Information)
- Archaeological practice (Investigation)
- Archaeological practice (Policy)
- Archaeological practice (Managing collections)
An alternative is to consider a more general NVQ 4 in
Management www.i-l-m.com
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Honours degree
An Open University degree course by distance learning will fit round work and personal commitments
www.open.ac.uk The OU offers a wide range of subjects including
Humanities, and the
Open degree where you can take courses from any area of the curriculum.
You could also consider
Business studies covering areas such as marketing, accounting and finance
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Postgraduate Diploma
You could then take a higher level management qualification such as the
Executive Diploma in Management www.i-l-m.com which covers the full range of responsibilities of senior managers.
It takes between one and three years part time study and when completed you can apply for Membership of the ILM (
MlnstLM)
The Open University
www.open.ac.uk also offers postgraduate qualifications