This page presents relevant data for each qualification. The level of data presented depends on the amount of data submitted by the owning awarding body at the time of the qualification’s accreditation. Below is a description of the range of data that may be available. For further information about the qualification please contact the owning awarding body.

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DCSF/DIUS

This section shows the age group for qualifications which are deemed eligible for funding in England by the Secretary of State. Further details can be found at the relevant websites: Section 96 and Section 97.

DCELLS

For further information on Wales, visit the DCELLS website.

DELNI/DENI

For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the DELNI and DENI.

Diploma Guided Learning Hours

This is the Guided Learning Hours value which contributes to the Diploma Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) requirement. This GLH value applies only to qualifications taken in the context of the Diploma, and can be different from the general qualification GLH value. If undertaking ASL always ensure you are embarking on a valid programme of study.

Qualification Purpose / Sub-Purposes

Qualification Purpose is intended to convey information on what a qualification is primarily designed to do and not what it may be used for. The Sub-Purposes divide the main Purpose into more specific, narrower purposes. Qualifications may have more than one Sub-Purpose, for example, where a qualification included various pathways/routes through it.

Unit assessment method

Indicates the method that will be used to assess a candidate’s skill or knowledge in order to pass the unit.

Qualification reference number

Unique reference number given to the qualification by the regulatory authorities on accreditation (eg: Q000000 or 100/0000/0 or 500/0000/0).

Awarding body

An organisation or consortium recognised by Ofqual to award accredited qualifications.

Qualification level

Specify the level at which the qualification is positioned in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), to find specific qualification(s) at the chosen level.

For Diploma qualifications

This shows the level for the qualification being viewed. The Diploma is available at Level 1 (Foundation), Level 2 (Higher) and Level 3 (Advanced). Each level varies in size in terms of guided learning hours.

The size of the three key components (principal learning, additional and specialist learning and generic learning), also given as guided learning hours, varies at each level.

Qualification type

Qualifications with distinctive structural characteristics are grouped together under specific types: for example, Vocationally Related Qualification, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), GCSE, GCE A-Levels, QCF, etc.

Use this option to narrow the search to specific qualification types that fall under either the NQF or the QCF framework.

Qualification credit value

The number of credits awarded to a learner who successfully completes the qualification.

Minimum credit to be achieved at, or above, the qualification level

The minimum number of credits required at the level of the qualification to achieve the qualification.

Progression

Shows what other possible qualification routes a learner may progress to or from.

Potential job occupation

Please note:

1) these are guidelines only - there is no guarantee that completing the qualification will automatically lead to one of the jobs.

2) where no specific job occupations are listed, the qualification will allow learners to progress to a wide range of job roles in different employment sectors.

Sectors

Sector/subject areas are the series of categories based on industry sectors and academic subjects used to classify qualifications. These areas are subdivided into 1st and 2nd tiers. For further information visit the Ofqual website

Qualification guided learning hours

A notional measure of the substance of a qualification. It includes an estimate of the time that might be allocated to direct teaching or instruction, together with other structured learning time, such as directed assignments, assessments on the job or supported individual study and practice. It excludes learner-initiated private study.

Qualification offered in and the approved age ranges

For information on the approval of qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, access the appropriate website from the links shown below.

Age ranges for Wales

In Wales there is a different approval process. Therefore the age groups shown represent the intended age groups for which approval has been sought. Further details for Wales can be found at DCELLS website.

Age ranges for Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland there is a different approval process. Therefore the age groups shown represent the intended age groups for which approval has been sought. Further details for Northern Ireland can be found at Department for Employment and Learning website.

Languages this qualification is offered in

Indicates that the specification and/or assessment materials are offered in English, Welsh and/or Irish (Gaeilge). Please contact individual awarding bodies for more information.

Overseas countries this qualification is offered in

Indicates the overseas countries where this qualification is offered in.

Range of assessment methods

Shows the range of methods that will be used to assess a candidate’s work towards achieving the qualification.

Independent assessment or other holistic assessment for this qualification

Shows the method used to assess a candidate’s work towards achieving the qualification or passing the unit. Assessment methods may differ for units and across the qualification as a whole.

Requirements other than the award of credit that need to be met before the qualification is awarded

Details of any requirements over and above the unit and credit achievement required for the qualification, for example work experience and police checks.

Exemptions

Learners may claim exemption from some of the requirements for credit achievement if they have previously achieved qualifications or other awards (or components of these awards) before undertaking the qualification.

Assessment requirements specified by the sector or regulatory bodies at unit level that apply to this qualification

This details any requirements to assess the units that make up a qualification.

Performance Measures

Performance Measures encompass two components, Performance Figures (also known as points) and Performance Indicators.

Performance Figures are calculated by QCDA and applied to all eligible approved qualifications for use in compiling the School Achievement and Attainment Tables. They are designed to provide an indication of the degree of successful attainment for a qualification in relation to other qualifications within the existing National Frameworks.

Performance Indicators are designed to provide information on whether a qualification contributes to a specific measure within the School Achievement and Attainment Tables. These specific measures are those which count achievement in English, Mathematics, Science and Modern Foreign Languages. If there is no Performance Indicator information on the Performance Measures page for a qualification, then that qualification only contributes to the standard, non-subject specific measures, such as the 5 GCSEs at A* to C indicator.

The principles and methods used to calculate performance figures can be found at the QCA website.

Qualification structure summary

Describes the unit combinations needed to achieve the qualification.

For Diploma qualifications

Shows qualification combinations required to achieve a Diploma qualification. This varies at each Level.

Qualification structure

Describes the combination of units or groups that form the qualification, together with a summary of those units that need to be undertaken to complete the qualification.

Overall grading system for the qualification

Shows the grade that will be used to report a candidate’s result in the qualification as a whole.

For Diploma qualifications

Shows the grade that will be used to report a candidate’s result in the qualification as a whole. The grade available varies at each Level of the Diploma. A grade is a point on a scale of performance used to differentiate achievement within a qualification.

Qualification accreditation dates

Accreditation start date - The first date that awarding bodies can register candidates for a qualification.

Operational centre start date - The date when the qualification will become operational in centres.

Accreditation end date - The last date on which awarding bodies can register a candidate for a qualification.

Certification end date - The last date on which a certificate may be issued by the awarding body.