Suitability of qualifications for different groups
This page contains information on the following types of qualifications (approved under Sections 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000), requirements, implications and restrictions:
- adult literacy and numeracy
- Entry level qualifications
- English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) / Skills for Life
- key skills qualifications
- GCSE qualifications
- AS/A levels and AEAs
- Free-Standing Mathematics Qualifications (FSMQs)
- qualifications meeting the common criteria
- higher level qualifications
- National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
- maturity, social well-being, and health and safety requirements
- supporting progression from key stage 3
- support of the relevant sector skills council
- statutory or other restrictions.
To apply for the accreditation of a new qualification, awarding bodies should fill in the relevant proposal form for the qualification type. In the form the awarding body is asked to identify the groups of learners for which approval is sought, and to give a rationale for this proposal.
Adult literacy and numeracy
In England, adult literacy and numeracy qualifications are automatically recommended for approval for all groups of learners unless the awarding body and regulatory authority lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.
The relevant proposal form should be completed by the awarding body. A rationale should be provided if the qualification is not recommended for pre-16 approval.
Entry level qualifications
Entry level qualifications are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.
The relevant proposal form should be completed by the awarding body. A rationale should be provided if the qualification is not recommended for pre-16 approval.
ESOL / Skills for Life
All ESOL / Skills for Life qualifications are recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.
Further information on these qualifications can be found at the ESOL Skills for Life website a link to which can be found in the related links section of this page.
Key skills qualifications
All six key skills qualifications at levels 1 to 3 are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.
Key skills qualifications at level 4 are automatically recommended for approval for learners aged 16+. The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a level 1–3 qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 or a level 4 for 16+ details should be provided on the form.
Further information on key skills qualifications can be found on the QCA website (opens in new window).
GCSE qualifications
GCSE qualifications are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why the qualification should not be available to a certain age group.
The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a particular qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 details should be provided on the form.
Further information on GCSE qualifications can be found on the GCSE page.
AS/A levels and AEAs
These qualifications are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why the qualification should not be available to a certain age group.
The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a particular qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 details should be provided on the form.
Further information on AS/A level qualifications and AEAs can be found on the A level page.
Free-Standing Mathematics Qualifications
FSMQs at levels 1 and 2 are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for learners aged 16+.
These levels are not recommended for approval for pre-16 as this age group should be following qualifications that cover the statutory national curriculum programme of study in mathematics, such as GCSEs.
FSMQs at level 3 are automatically recommended for approval as suitable for all learners unless the awarding body and regulatory lead reviewer consider that there is a particular reason why this should not be the case.
The relevant proposal form should be completed. If there is a reason why a particular qualification is not going to be recommended for approval pre-16 details should be provided in the space available on the form.
Qualifications meeting the common criteria
Awarding bodies must complete the relevant proposal form, giving a rationale for the choice of age approval categories.
Learners aged under 16
In general, level 1 and 2 qualifications of this type are potentially suitable for use by learners aged under 16. Some level 3 qualifications may also be suitable, for example to meet the needs of gifted pupils or those starting advanced level programmes before the end of year 11.
For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged under 16 see the following headings:
- Maturity, social well-being, and health and safety requirements
- Progressions from key stage 3.
Learners aged 16 to 18
In general, levels 1 to 3 are potentially suitable for learners aged 16 to 18.
Learners aged 18 and above
Certain qualifications of all levels may be suitable only for learners aged 18 and above. For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged 18 and above see the heading 'Statutory or other restrictions'.
Learners aged 19 and above
In general, all qualifications of this type are likely to be suitable for learners aged 19 and above.
Higher level qualifications
The chart below shows a comparison of the original and revised National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels with broad indications of Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) levels.
|
National Qualifications Framework |
Framework for Higher Education Qualification levels | ||
| Original levels | Revised levels | ||
|
5 Level 5 NVQ in construction Project management* Level 5 Diploma in translation |
8 Specialist awards |
D (doctoral) doctorates | |
|
7 Level 7 Diploma in translation |
M (masters) masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas | ||
|
4 Level 4 NVQ in advice and guidance* Level 4 Diploma in management Level 4 BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D design Level 4 Certificate in early years practice |
6 Level 6 Diploma in management |
H (honours) bachelors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas | |
|
5 Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D design |
I (intermediate) diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees, higher national diplomas | ||
|
4 Level 4 Certificate in early years practice |
C (certificate) certificates of higher education | ||
|
3 Level 3 Certificate in small animal care Level 3 NVQ in aeronautical engineering A levels |
| ||
|
2 Level 2 Diploma for beauty specialists Level 2 NVQ in agricultural crop production GCSEs Grades A*–C |
|||
|
1 Level 1 Certificate in motor vehicle studies Level 1 NVQ in bakery GCSEs Grades D–G |
|||
|
Entry Entry Level Certificate in adult literacy |
|||
*Revised levels are not currently being implemented for NVQs at level 4 and level 5. For up-to-date information please visit the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (opens in new window) (NDAQ) website.
Please note that currently titles such as ‘certificate’ and ‘diploma’ are not indicators of the level of a qualification.
Learners aged under 16
Higher level qualifications are not normally eligible for approval for learners aged under 16.
Learners aged 16 to 18
In general, qualifications at levels 4, 5 or 6 may be approved for learners aged 16 and above. Qualifications at levels 7 or 8 are not normally eligible for approval with this age group. There may, however, be exceptional circumstances where high achievement is common within this age group. Such examples could include graded music examinations.
Learners aged 18 and above
Certain qualifications at levels 4, 5 or 6 may be suitable only for learners aged 18 and above.
For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged 18 and above see the heading 'Statutory or other restrictions'.
Learners aged 19 and above
In general, all higher level qualifications (that is levels 4 and above) are likely to be suitable for learners aged 19 and above.
National Vocational Qualifications
Awarding bodies must complete the relevant proposal form, giving a rationale for the choice of age approval categories.
Learners aged under 16
In general, NVQs at levels 1 and 2 are potentially suitable for use pre-16.
If pre-16 is chosen as the age category, the awarding body must supply a rationale for this and evidence of Sector Skills Council (SSC) or sector body support for this decision.
For further information on the factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged under 16 see the following headings:
- Maturity, social well-being and health and safety requirements
- Supporting progression from key stage 3
- Support of relevant sector skills councils.
Learners aged 16 to 18
In general, NVQs at levels 1–3 are potentially suitable for learners aged 16 to 18. NVQs at level 4 may also be considered according to need.
Learners aged 18 and above
Certain NVQs of all levels may be suitable only for learners aged 18 and above. For further information on factors affecting the suitability of qualifications for learners aged 18 and above see the heading 'Statutory or other restrictions'.
Learners aged 19 and above
In general, all NVQs are likely to be suitable for learners aged 19 and above. Further information on NVQs can be found on the NVQ page.
Maturity, social well-being and health and safety requirements
This principle refers to the suitability of the qualification for pre-16-year-olds. It is important to note that this includes pre-16 students working towards the qualification in school, college or work-based settings, and not simply in ‘classrooms’.
Pre-16 students are of widely differing levels of maturity and it is the school’s responsibility to match learning demands and contexts appropriately to students’ needs and capabilities. Features of a qualification that may make it inappropriate on the basis of maturity may relate to the level of responsibility, managerial/supervisory activity or confidentiality required by its content, assessment or work-based assessment setting.
Clearly, any statutory age restrictions applying to work in the setting required for assessment would also render a qualification inappropriate.
Pre-16 students also have widely differing needs in terms of social well-being. Features of a qualification that may make it inappropriate on the basis of social well-being are likely to relate to the setting for work-based assessment – for example those requiring unsocial hours, isolated work conditions, or settings such as a morgue or slaughterhouse.
Features of a qualification that may make it inappropriate on the basis of health and safety may include use of machines, vehicles or chemicals and work at heights. Settings that are inherently unsafe for this age group, for example underground or on offshore rigs, may also make the pre-16 age category inappropriate.
Supporting progression from key stage 3
This principle refers to the qualification supporting progression from key stage 3 to key stage 4 so that learners can consolidate their earlier achievements. Qualifications should take account of learning at key stage 3 and facilitate progression in terms of size and content.
Support of the relevant sector skills council
For NVQs to be approved pre-16 the support of the relevant SSC is required to confirm the qualification’s suitability in terms of health and safety, social well-being and maturity requirements.
Statutory or other restrictions
The 18+ option under Section 96 should be used where statutory considerations mean that a qualification would be inappropriate for anyone younger than 18, but where it is important in terms of progression for 18-year-olds to be able to access the qualification rather than having to wait until they are 19.