www.helpyouchoose.org - Norfolk's 14-19 Area Prospectus

BTEC Nationals

BTECs involve both practical and theoretical study in a vocational area. BTEC Nationals are Level 3 qualifications – BTECs are also available as Introductories (Level 1) and Firsts (Level 2).

BTEC Nationals are most suited to 16–19 year olds who've chosen to stay in education but know what career they want to go into. BTECs are a good choice for developing the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to work in your chosen industry.

BTEC National Awards and Certificates are usually part-time; BTEC National Diplomas are usually full-time

Types of BTEC National

They come in three sizes:

• BTEC National Award: about the same size as a single A Level. Gives students specialist and practical knowledge that focuses on particular aspects of employment in a sector.
• BTEC National Certificate: equivalent of two A Levels. Gives students a strong grounding in the key expertise and knowledge base of a particular sector specialism.
• BTEC National Diploma: equivalent of three A Levels. Gives students a specialist work-related focus, enabling them to extend key sector knowledge and practical skills. This can add immediate value in the workplace or aid progression to HNCs, HNDs, Foundation Degrees or a degree programme.

National Awards and Certificates are usually taken part-time. National Diplomas are usually full-time programmes with more units of study.

OCR Nationals

OCR Nationals at Level 3 are similar in many ways to BTEC Nationals – they both involve practical and theoretical study in a vocational area.

OCR Nationals at Level 3 come in three sizes:

• OCR National Certificate: equivalent  of a single A Level.
• OCR National Diploma: equivalent of two A Levels.
• OCR National Extended Diploma: equivalent of three A Levels.

NVQ 3

NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) are qualifications that apply what you learn in a work situation. They can be studied full-time or part-time. If you do an Advanced Apprenticeship you'll usually do an NVQ 3 as part of that.

NVQs are at different levels, from 1 to 5. An NVQ 3 is at the same level as A Levels and BTEC Nationals.

Other qualifications at Level 3

There are many other vocational or specialist qualifications at Level 3.

You can find out more about a specialist qualification by contacting the 6th form or college that is offering it

BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

The Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a Level 3 programme, normally taken in one year, which prepares students for entry to a higher education course in art and design. It is well recognised by universities as an excellent route into higher study of art and design.

CACHE qualifications

CACHE offers courses at Levels 1–4 and Entry Level in the Children's Services industry. CACHE has Level 3 options in these subject areas:

• early years, care and education
• playwork
• working in schools
• health and social care
• childminding

Sports Leadership qualifications

Sports Leadership courses help people develop organisation, motivation, communication and team-working skills. They are practical qualifications – students learn by doing and don't have to take written exams.

You don't need to be a sports star to take a Sports Leadership qualification. Instead you should have an interest in the activity you study, a positive attitude and a willingness to volunteer.

Sports Leadership courses are offered at Levels 1–3.

Other specialist qualifications

Many other industries and careers have specialist types of qualification you can study in Norfolk, such as AAT courses for accountancy and DiDA courses for using digital applications.

If you see a specialist qualification on help you choose and want to know more about it, contact the 6th form or college that offers it to find out more about it. You could also go to the website for the qualification's exam board; they usually describe their qualifications in detail (although exam board websites are often written for teachers not young people, so they may use lots of unfamiliar jargon!).