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A guide to levels

The system works differently depending on which nation you are operating in. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are nine qualification levels from entry level to level 8.

In Scotland, the levels are different. Read more about Scottish Qualifications.

Entry level

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels – 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

Entry level qualifications are:

entry level award
entry level certificate (ELC)
entry level diploma
entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
entry level essential skills
entry level functional skills
Skills for Life

Level 1

Level 1 qualifications are:

first certificate
GCSE – grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
level 1 award
level 1 certificate
level 1 diploma
level 1 ESOL
level 1 essential skills
level 1 functional skills
level 1 national vocational qualification (NVQ)
music grades 1, 2 and 3

Level 2

Level 2 qualifications are:

CSE – grade 1
GCSE – grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
intermediate apprenticeship
level 2 award
level 2 certificate
level 2 diploma
level 2 ESOL
level 2 essential skills
level 2 functional skills
level 2 national certificate
level 2 national diploma
level 2 NVQ
music grades 4 and 5
O level – grade A, B or C

Level 3

Level 3 qualifications are:

A level
access to higher education diploma
advanced apprenticeship
applied general
AS level
international Baccalaureate diploma
level 3 award
level 3 certificate
level 3 diploma
level 3 ESOL
level 3 national certificate
level 3 national diploma
level 3 NVQ
music grades 6, 7 and 8
tech level

Level 4

Level 4 qualifications are:

certificate of higher education (CertHE)
higher apprenticeship
higher national certificate (HNC)
level 4 award
level 4 certificate
level 4 diploma
level 4 NVQ

Level 5

Level 5 qualifications are:

diploma of higher education (DipHE)
foundation degree
higher national diploma (HND)
level 5 award
level 5 certificate
level 5 diploma
level 5 NVQ

Level 6

Level 6 qualifications are:

degree apprenticeship
degree with honours – for example bachelor of the arts (BA) hons, bachelor of science (BSc) hons
graduate certificate
graduate diploma
level 6 award
level 6 certificate
level 6 diploma
level 6 NVQ
ordinary degree without honours