What the qualifi cations mean


Our friendly advisers can help you identify the perfect route to get the skills and / or career that you’re looking for. They can explain in more detail about the course levels, but here’s a rough guide to help you with your choice now.


Pre-entry level courses These practical courses will give you valuable life skills. They are particularly suitable if you have learning diffi culties. You will be supported by a specialist tutor, who’ll give you the extra learning support you need to get on. We can also meet you when you arrive at College and take you to and from classes every day.


Entry level These courses are designed to give people with no prior educational qualifi cations the basic maths, English and IT skills needed to progress onto higher level courses.


English, maths and IT These are very important to employers and universities and help develop the quality of your work. You can study separate qualifi cations in English, maths and IT. In tutorials and subject classes you will build up a portfolio of work and complete key skills assignments.


Level 1 These courses are equivalent to GCSEs at grade D-G.


Level 2 These courses are equivalent to GCSEs at grade A-C.


BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma This is a six unit course, equivalent to one A Level.


BTEC Level 3 Diploma This is a 12 unit course, similar to the Subsidiary Diploma but equivalent to two A Levels.


BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma This is an 18 unit course, equivalent to three A Levels.


NVQ NVQs award you for your competence for a particular job. They are nationally recognised work-related qualifi cations which are available to anyone at any age or stage of their career. Flexible and accessible NVQs can be tailored to your particular role allowing you to gain recognition for your existing skills while giving you the opportunity to gain a broader range of expertise. How well you do the job is what counts, more than general academic ability. NVQs are available at fi ve levels: • NVQ 1 is equivalent to three or four GCSEs at grades D-G


• NVQ 2 is equivalent to four or fi ve GCSEs at grades A-C


• NVQ 3 is equivalent to two A Levels • NVQ 4 is equivalent to a Certifi cate of Higher Education / BTECs


• NVQ 5 is equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation Degree


Apprenticeships Apprenticeships combine study with employment and can be taken at level 2, 3 or 4. As an employee, you’ll earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specifi c skills. Off the job, usually on a day- release basis, you will receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifi cations. Have a look at the Apprenticeship section on page 7 for more details.


Access to Higher Education Equivalent to three A Levels, these one-year courses prepare you for a Higher Education course.


HNC / HND


HNCs (Higher National Certifi cates) and HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) are work-related (vocational) Higher Education qualifi cations. They are designed to give you the skills to put the knowledge you learn to effective use in a particular supervisory/managerial job.


Foundation Degrees Foundation Degrees are vocationally orientated qualifi cations which have a large employer input and give you access to a wide choice of career paths. They provide a good pathway onto a degree course.


Professional qualifi cations We offer a number of qualifi cations which are well recognised by different professions. See the subject sections in this prospectus.


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All courses are subject to change and may be cancelled without prior notice as a result of funding changes or low demand. You may be eligible for a discounted tuition fee on some courses, but you will need to check with us. Students who pay a tuition fee may also pay an exam, CRB and materials fee if applicable. This is just a guide to the courses we offer; check our website www.hackney.ac.uk for up-to-date information.


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