Transcript EXPLORING QUALIFICATIONS…….

EXPLORING TYPES OF
QUALIFICATIONS...
 GCE A/S AND A/2
LEVEL
 BTEC
 (Business & technology
Education Council – now
part of Edexcel)example:
 Construction
 Engineering
 HND & HNC
 FOUNDATION
DEGREE
 DEGREE
BTEC NATIONAL
DIPLOMAS/CERTIFICATES &
AWARDS…
 AWARD – This is level 3 qualification equivalent to a 6
unit 1 A-Level; can be combined with a National
Certificate or with 2 A-Levels;
 CERTIFICATE – This is level 3 qualification covering
12 units. It is equivalent to a 2 A – Levels. Eg
Construction in the Abbey. It prepares learners for
employment in the sector and will be suitable for 16/19
year olds who have already decided that they wish to
enter this area of work.
 DIPLOMA – This is a Level 3 practical qualification
which is both a route to Higher Education ( HND’s;
Foundation degrees & Degrees) and a preparation for
employment in a vocational area. 2 years FT and
consists of 18 units of study. It is equal to 3 A-Levels.
HIGHER NATIONAL S…
 HND & HNC – these are nationally recognised
qualifications, well known and well regarded in
industry, as they tend to have a more
vocational focus than degrees.
 HNDs - They are full time over 2 years and
you may progress to a degree.
 HNCs are of the same standard as HNDs .
HND’s allow entry to a 3rd year of a degree;
HNC’s allow entry to a 2nd year of a degree.
HIGHER NATIONALS eg’s.
 FINE & APPLIED
ARTS
 PHOTOGRAPHY
 BUSINESS &
FINANCE
 LEGAL STUDIES
 MUSIC
PRODUCTION
 SPORT & LEISURE
 CONSTRUCTION
 ENGINEERING:
CIVIL /
MECHANICAL /
ELECTRICAL /
MANUFACTURING;
 HEALTH & SOCIAL
CARE
A question of which
degree ???????
 Foundation Degree – is an innovative degree
course, which focuses on developing the
work related skills that employers require.
It is developed in partnership with employers
and a university and is delivered in an FE
College –SRC:Southern Regional College. It
can be taken PT or FT(2 years) and includes
work experience.
 This is a qualification in its own right, but
graduates may then ‘top-up’ to a relevant
honours degree course through 1 more year of
study.
FOUNDATION
DEGREES…eg’s
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SPORT, EXERCISE, FITNESS;
ICT –SOFTWARE ENGINEERING;
COMPUTING;
EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES;
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING;
ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY;
APPLIED & MEDICAL SCIENCE.
DEGREES ….
 A first degree takes 3 years if studied on a F/T
basis. Some degrees are more vocational than
others. The type of qualification you get
depends on the subject:Eg Bachelor of
Science BSc; Bachelor of Education Bed.
There are 5 main types of degree:
 SINGLE HONOURS – You will graduate in one subject.
In 2nd and 3rd year you will be able to choose subject
options depending on your special interests.
 JOINT HONOURS – involves the study of 2 subjects.
In some cases the subjects may be related eg Maths &
Physics, but can also be quite different.
Types of degrees cont’d..
 COMBINED HONOURS – involves 2 or 3
subjects, each of which is studied equally
within the framework of the same faculty.
 MAJOR / MINOR HONOURS – you choose 2
subjects to study, one of which is studied over
a longer period than the other.
 SANDWICH – these involve alternative periods
of study and work related experience over a 4
employability prospects !!
And finally……
 POSTGRADUATE – Certificates or Diplomas
offer vocational training or a professional
qualification. Courses usually last for 1 or 2
years full time and may be integrated into
Master degree programmes.
 A MASTERs degree can be obtained by pure
research or by a course of instruction –
including a short research project and an exam
 DOCTORATES – are normally awarded after 3
years of supervised research.