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 A* - C
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 History and Geography.
A foreign language would be useful.
Maths, English and Science are all very important.
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A/AS levels
Aim for a range of A/AS levels, and perhaps consider History, a foreign language, Archaeology (if available), History of Art, Art & Design or a vocational subject such as Leisure and recreation.
Subject expertise would equip you for the more specialised museums and visitor attractions.
Business Studies would help you develop your commercial awareness.
Chemistry would be useful if you want to be a conservator.
One year Access to Higher Education courses give adults without formal qualifications the chance to go into higher education.
You will need to check entry requirements with local colleges and universities.
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Foundation degree
You could progress directly to an honours degree or via a Foundation Degree, depending on your results.
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
There are no foundation degrees in the South east specifically for Heritage but use the course searches at
www.ucas.ac.uk and
www.findfoundationdegree.co.uk to find courses
There are few foundation degrees specifically for heritage but look on the Foundation Degree Forward site
www.fdf.ac.uk/courses/History,_Theology,_Geography_and_Languages or
www.fdf.ac.uk/courses/Hospitality tofind more general subjects such as
- Tourism Management
- Travel and Tourism Management
- Travel and Tourism Operations
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
Entry to the museum and heritage sector is competitive.
You could consider a general subject area - such as fine art or social history - which would be more flexible in terms of career choice.
If you want to specialise, look for a course more directly related to museum and heritage work. In the South East these include:
- Tourism management with heritage studies
- Heritage studies (lots at Winchester combined)
- Heritage conservation
- Museum and heritage studies
- Museum and gallery studies
- Economics with arts, gallery and heritage management
- Art, design and cultural history
Check
www.ucas.ac.uk for courses and contact individual universities (and employers) for their entry requirements.
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Masters degree
Masters degrees allow you to extend your studies or branch out into other areas of heritage work.
Taught courses include
- 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 lists recommended courses.
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Postgraduate Certificate
Education is an important role of all museum and heritage operations. You might want to consider a teaching qualification before applying for posts
The
Training and Development Agency www.tda.gov.uk has details on how to apply.