VRQ - Vocationally-Related Qualification
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
Of the three progression pathways from the Diploma, this qualification will give learners particular access to Apprenticeships and Employment but in addition will support the third pathway into other learning.
Internal verification: Centres are required to have processes in place reviewing each assessor's decisions to ensure that they are correctly interpreting and applying the standards set out in the specifications. The system used to do this is a matter for the individual centres and Edexcel fully supports the use of the centre's own quality assurance systems where this ensures robust internal standardisation. Centres will refer to the BTEC NQF Level 2/3 (including Short Courses at Level 1-3) (updated annually). This updated website/Services for centres/FE Colleges and Schools.
Candidates will need to complete units equivalent to 180 GLH
All units are level 3
All units are 60 GLH
A grading scale of pass, merit and distinction is applied to all units
All the units listed in this qualification are optional however there are a number of factors that should be taken into account. The factors include the aspirations of learners in terms of future progression (including potentially specific pathways within larger BTEC qualifications), their previous experience and any other qualification that they are undertaking in parallel.
The units are all suitable for Engineering (Applied Science). Individual learners could undertake any combination, but there are some natural groupings of the units.
The following units are both suitable for Applied Chemistry, Laboratory and Industrial Sciences, Medical Sciences and Forensic Sciences groupings:
Fundamentals of Science; Using Science in the Workplace.
The following units are also both suitable for Applied Chemistry, Laboratory and Industrial Sciences and Medical Sciences groupings:
Working in the Science Industry; Scientific Practical Techniques.
The following units are also both suitable for Laboratory and Industrial Sciences, Medical Sciences and Forensic Sciences groupings:
Scientific Investigation; Perceptions of Science.
The following units are also both suitable for Applied Chemistry and Laboratory and Industrial Sciences groupings:
Industrial Applications of Chemical Reactions; Industrial Applications of Organic Chemistry.
The following unit is also suitable for Laboratory and Industrial Sciences and Medical Sciences groupings:
Energy Changes, Sources and Applications.
The following units are suitable for the Polymer Processing and Materials Technology grouping:
Basic Polymer Technology; ICT and MIS in Polymer Industry; Engineering Studies for Polymer Technicians; Plastic Materials; Plastic Processing; Polymer Process Engineering; Polymer Science; Polymer Technology Investigations; Rubber Products and Specialist Elastomers; Rubber Technology.