What the qualifications mean

Key/Basic Functional Skills

These are additional qualifications that are really important to employers and universities. They include communication, application of number and computer qualifications which you study alongside your course.

Pre-entry level courses

These practical courses give you valuable life skills. They are suitable if you have learning difficulties. You will be supported by a specialist tutor, who’ll give you the extra learning support you need to get on. Your tutor will meet you when you arrive at College and escort you to and from every class. You’ll also get additional support in the classroom. Ask us for our Learning Difficulties and Disabilities guide for full details. Call 020 7613 9123.

Entry level courses (entry 1, entry 2 and entry 3)

These vocational courses are ideal if you didn’t take many GCSEs, or if you achieved mainly Es, Fs or Gs at GCSE. They can also help you if you need to improve your maths and English. You study in an area that interests you and often blend work experience with College work. They’re ideal to get you on the ladder to higher level courses and jobs.

Level 1

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

Level 2

These courses are equivalent to GCSEs at grade A-C

GCSEs

These one-year courses are suitable for you if you have already achieved some D grades at GCSE and want to improve your grades. You would normally take a full-time programme of four GCSE subjects. If most of your grades are at E, F or G, we’d usually advise you to apply for Entry or Foundation level courses.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

NVQs award you for your competence for a particular job. How well you do the job is what counts, more than general academic ability. NVQs are available at five levels:

• NVQ 1 is equivalent to three or four GCSEs at grades D-G
• NVQ 2 is equivalent to four or five GCSEs at grades A-C
• NVQ 3 is equivalent to two A Levels
• NVQ 4 is equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education / some BTECs
• NVQ 5 is equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation Degree

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are valuable courses, funded by the Government – designed especially for young people. Most last for one year. You’ll be employed four days a week and attend Hackney Community College one day per week. These programmes include a Technical Certificate, an NVQ and Key Skills. You will also get a literacy and numeracy qualification at the same time. You will usually receive an Apprenticeship salary. We update our Apprenticeships all the time, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for – contact us and let us know. We offer Apprenticeships in the following areas:

• Accounts Construction
• Business Administration Customer Service
• Carpentry Motor Vehicle
• Childcare Plumbing

BTEC Firsts

These vocational courses are recognised by employers as an appropriate level to start work. You gain a broad understanding of your chosen subject. Assessment is continuous with an exam at the end.

BTEC National Award

This is a six unit vocational course, which is equivalent to one A Level. You would need to study other courses as well to go on to Higher Education or university – or you could get a job in your chosen subject.

Level 3

These courses are equivalent to A Levels.

BTEC National Certificate

This is a 12 unit course, similar to the Diploma but it’s equivalent to two A Levels, with a more vocational slant than A Levels. You can go on to Higher Education or work. You might combine this with an AS or A Level to make up a full-time programme.

BTEC National Diploma

This is an 18 unit course, which is equivalent to three A Levels. You can go straight on to Higher Education, which will give you a thorough grounding for your chosen career.

A Levels

Split into two parts: AS and A2 Level. AS Level is the first year of the course where you’ll get an introduction to the key ideas and methods of the subject you’ve chosen. You’ll be encouraged to take four AS Level subjects and would then normally go on to take three of them at A2 Level. Or, you can mix and match AS Levels with a vocational course.