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Your guide to national qualifications

GCSEs
General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) cover a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and are usually examined at the end of Year 11 (occasionally in Year 10). A number of GCSE subjects may also be available at colleges of further education. The grades awarded are A to E.

Diploma

The diploma is a flexible qualification that combines theoretical and practical learning with functional skills in English, Mathmatics and ICT. It also provides the opportunity for learners to incorporate other courses of study such as vocational qualifications, GCSEs and A-levels. In 2008, the first five diplomas wll be available in selected areas of the country in: Construction & the Built Environment; Creative & Media; Society, Health & Social Care; Information Technology; and Engineering. The remaining nine diplomas will be introduced over the next two years.

GNVQs
From Summer 2007 General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) will be withdrawn. For details see
www.connexions-direct.com and click on Learning > Qualifications > GNVQs.

NVQs
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) have been developed by industry for industry. They record the skills achieved by the student and are related to skills needed to do the job.

AS and A2 (formerly known as A level)
Students can study academic and vocational subjects. An AS level is a one year stand-alone qualification which can convert to an A2 through a further year of study. An A2 is the equivalent to an old A level. These courses allow the student to move on to higher-education courses.

Applied A levels
The vocational A level was replaced by the applied A level in 2005. This is a new name for what was called the Vocational Certificate of Education (VCE). They have been designed to give students a broad introduction to a vocational area and help them to develop and apply knowledge in a variety of work-related situations.

BTEC Diplomas
BTEC Diploma courses are available in a range of vocational subjects, at introductory, first and advanced level.

International Baccalaureates
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an alternative qualification to AS/A2 levels for students wishing to study a broader range of subjects. Students choose six subjects in the IB programme, three at higher level and three at standard level from each of the following groups: