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 Introductory Diploma in Travel and Tourism is a one year full time course that gives a broad background to the sector and allows you to explore different career areas.
Units include an Introduction to the travel industry and UK travel and tourism destinations.
A shorter mini-Award can be taken to fit round other study, and individual units can be taken if you are working.
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
OCR level 2
The OCR National Award in
Travel and tourism www.ocr.org.uk provides a broad foundation for a career in the travel and tourism industry as well as more specialised study such as Investigating visitor attractions in the UK.
Alternative Level 2 vocational qualifications are:
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
OCR Level 3
A full time vocational qualification in
Travel and Tourism would still keep your career options open.
The OCR National Diploma in
Travel & Tourism (Tourism Provision and Development) includes units on UK countryside tourism and UK heritage tourism. Although the full qualification is required to go into higher education, it is possible to take individual units if you are already working.
Alternative level 3 qualifications are
- BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism course www.edexcel.com (with units on UK visitor attractions and Sustainable tourism development)
- City & Guilds National Diploma in Travel and Tourism www.cityandguilds.co.uk
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
Dip HE
If you do not want to commit to a three year degree course, you can start with a two year Diploma in Higher Education.
The University of Winchester
www.winchester.ac.uk offers Dip HEs in Tourism and heritage management. Many of these are combined with other subjects to broaden career choice.
Examples include:
- Heritage management
- Education studies with Tourism & heritage management
- Heritage management with Business management
Search
www.winchester.ac.uk and
www.ucas.ac.uk for a list of relevant courses.
You can generally progress to the related honours degree – ask the university about entry requirements.
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
Honours degree
The University of Winchester
www.winchester.ac.uk has degree courses that follow on from some of the Dip HEs in Tourism and heritage management.
Examples include:
- Heritage management
- Education studies and Tourism & heritage management
- Heritage management with Business management
Search
www.ucas.ac.uk for a list of relevant courses.
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS
Masters degree
Masters degrees allow you to extend your studies or branch out into other areas of heritage work.
Taught courses include MAs in
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- History and Heritage
- Museums and Contemporary Curating
- Histories and Cultures
- Museums and Galleries
- Life history research
- Memory Cultures
- Landscape Heritage Management
- Historic Buildings Conservation
- History of Design and Material Culture
- Art History (Open University)
Use the Graduate Prospects course search
www.prospects.ac.uk and
www.findamasters.com to find local courses
The Museums Association
www.museumsassociation.org also lists recommended courses.