Education

• After Year 9
• After Year 11
• After sixth form or college
• Qualifications Explained
  • GCSEs
  • AS and A levels
  • The Diploma
  • Vocational qualifications
  • Apprenticeships
  • Foundation Learning
  • Higher Education
• Study skills
• Dropping out of education
• Equal opportunities
• Studying abroad
• Student life
• Gap year

Vocational qualifications give you a broad introduction to a particular type of work, for example, construction or travel and tourism. They are designed to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding of areas of employment. These qualifications are also known as stand-alone qualifications.

There are several vocational qualifications to choose from, such as:

 CACHE qualification
 BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates — also known as BTEC Level 1 Certificate Awards and Diplomas
 BTEC First Diplomas and Certificates — also known as BTEC Level 2 Diploma and Extended Certificates
 BTEC National Diplomas, Certificates and Awards — also known as BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas, Diplomas, Subsidiary Diplomas and Certificates
 NVQ

Each of these will usually involve doing projects and assignments and are available at different levels.

Vocational qualifications may be suitable for you if you want to study a particular vocational area. They can also be used as a route into Apprenticeship training. For more information, look on Routes Ahead.