Level 1 Courses
| Qualification | To start you need | Type | How is it assessed? | What's it all about? | Where does it lead? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCSEs (3-1) | Varies | Academic | Mainly exams at the end of the course. Some subjects will also have practical assessments. | Usual subjects like maths, English, science. Some new subjects may be available. | Level 2 courses or an apprenticeship |
| BTEC Level 1 Introductory | Varies - you should be really interested in the course you are applying for | Applied general | Assessments, projects, tests and practical work. | Concentrates on general work areas such as caring, business, sport and recreation. | Level 2 courses or an apprenticeship |
OCR Cambridge Nationals Level 1 | Varies - you should be really interested in the course you are applying for | Applied general | Assignments, case studies and practical activities. | Similar to BTEC Level 1 qualifications. Available in a number of industry sectors. Provide an introduction to the knowledge and understanding needed to prepare for work in a chosen area. | Level 2 courses or an apprenticeship |
| NVQ 1 | No special entry requirements - you should be really interested in the course you are applying for | Vocational/technical | Practical training. You are assessed on what you do. | Training for a job. Can sometimes be full-time at college but is usually the first part of work-based learning such as an apprenticeship or Foundation Learning programme. | Level 2 courses or an apprenticeship |
| Functional Skills | Varies - check with the post-16 provider | Academic | Portfolio, online tests, exams. | Usually taken in English or Maths post-16 if you haven't achieved a suitable grade at GCSE. Provide a basis for future study at GCSE. |