Level 1 is normally achieved in years 10 and 11 of secondary school. But these qualifications can also be a great way for adult learners or people that have been out of education for a while, to gently get back into education or get their feet on the first rung of a new career ladder. A Level 1 qualifications is roughly the equivalent to achieving a GCSE grade 3, 2, or 1 previously graded D, E, F, or G.

These qualifications help students to achieve the essential prerequisites, that you need to go on to an apprenticeship, college, or university course. Many technical qualifications still require you to have a good understanding of maths in English. If you didn't achieve these at school, then these are the qualification for you. We offer level 1 Functional Skills qualifications in maths and English. Once you've completed the level 1 functional skills course you can move up to the next level. If you were looking to progress onto an Apprenticeship or University course, you'll need to complete the level two functional skills award first.

A Level 1 Award, Certificate, or Diploma is an entry-level qualification and is designed to provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills in a particular subject area. It is suitable for individuals who are just beginning their studies or for those seeking to gain basic knowledge and practical abilities in a specific area. The size of the qualification determines whether the qualification is known as an “Award”, “Certificate”, or “Diploma”. A level 1 Award is usually 12 credits. A level 1 Certificate is usually 13 to 36 credits, and a level 1 Diploma is usually 37 or more credits. Typically, one credit will equal 10 hours of training to complete.

Similar to a level 1 Award, Certificate or Diploma, a Level 1 NVQ is an entry-level qualification, however NVQs tend to be more of a work-based qualification designed to validate an individual's skills and knowledge required for a specific job or career path. It is suitable for individuals starting their careers or roles that require basic skills and knowledge. It is ideal if you're just starting out or are new to the subject area. This level covers routine tasks and basic knowledge.

Level 2 qualifications are a step up from level 1. Similar to Level 1 qualifications, these are usually achieved in years 10 and 11 of school. However, these qualifications are also the next step for learners that have previously completed a level 1 qualification and want to progress their learning. They are also a great option for adult learners that have higher qualifications in different subjects and want to return to education to learn a new subject or career. A Level 2 qualification can be equivalent to achieving GCSE grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, or 4 previously graded A*, A, B, or C.

The most common level 2 qualification is a General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE. GCSEs are usually taken by students aged 14 to 16, typically in Year 10 and Year 11 of secondary education. However, there is no age limit and there are a wide variety of education providers offering GCSEs for adults. Grades in GCSEs are usually awarded on a scale from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 being the lowest. The grading system was introduced in 2017, replacing the previous A* to G grading scale. Many apprenticeships and college or university courses will require a minimum of a level 4 GCSE in maths and English. If you haven't got this, you could resit your GCSE's, or alternatively you could undertake a level 2 functional skills course.

A level 2 Functional Skills course is an extension of a level 1 Functional Skills course. We offer level 2 Functional Skills courses in maths, English and ICT. This is the equivalent of a GCSE but can be studied in a much shorter time. Many apprenticeships and college or university courses will require a minimum of a level 4 GCSE in maths and English. If you failed to achieve GCSE maths or English or have lost their certificate you could resit your GCSE's or alternatively you could undertake a level 2 Functional Skills course.

A Level 2 Award, Certificate, or Diploma is a step up from the level 1 qualification and is designed to provide you with more enhanced knowledge and skills in a particular subject area. It is suitable for individuals who have successfully completed a level 1 qualification or for adult learners that have higher qualifications in different subjects and want to return to education to learn a new subject or career. The size of the qualification determines whether the qualification is known as an “Award”, “Certificate”, or “Diploma”. A level 1 Award is usually 12 credits. A level 1 Certificate is usually 13 to 36 credits, and a level 1 Diploma is usually 37 or more credits. Typically, one credit will equal 10 hours of training to complete. A level 2 Diploma is the equivalent of four GCSEs at grade 4 -9.

Level 2 NVQs are a step up from Level 1 qualifications. Again, they tend to be more of a work-based qualification than the diploma. They are designed to validate an individual's skills and knowledge required for a specific job or career path. They will require you to carry out more complex work-based duties and gain a more enhanced knowledge and understanding of a subject. The qualification is the equivalent of five GCSEs at grade 4 – 9.

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These are Level 3 Technical Qualifications. They are an alternative to A levels. One T Level is the equivalent of three A Levels. T Levels are two-year courses that can be studied by 16- to 18-year-olds. They have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, with content that meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training, or study. T Levels include a 45-day industry placement to prepare you for the world of work. On successful completion of a T Level, you can progress to employment or continue your learning in higher education and professional development programmes.

A BTEC National Diploma is the equivalent to two A-levels, while a BTEC National Extended Diploma counts for three A-levels. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content. On successful completion of a BTEC National qualification, you can progress to employment or continue your learning in higher education and professional development programmes.

Advanced apprenticeships are level 3 qualifications and the equivalent to 2 A Level passes. You undertake the qualification alongside paid work. You will typically learn on the job for 4 days of the week and learn at college 1 day a week.

A Foundation year is a one-year course that is designed to prepare students for a Bachelor’s Degree course when they do not have enough UCAS points or experience to go directly on to the course. This will provide a more gradual transition on to a degree which will help to build your knowledge, skills, experience, and confidence.

You will see that some of the qualifications through the South Coast Institute of Technology are badged as a Higher Technical Qualification. These are not qualifications in their own right but can be applied to existing qualifications, like for example a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma, to illustrate that the existing qualification has been successfully mapped against a set of new industry created standards. This will give you confidence that the qualification you are studying will give you the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that industry have identified as important for your chosen career.

A Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a level 4 vocational qualification that takes one year to complete full-time, or two years part-time. It is the equivalent of the first year of a Foundation or Bachelor’s Degree or the first year of an HND. They’re practical-based courses delivered by colleges and some universities that prepare you for employment or higher qualifications.

A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a level 5 vocational qualification. It takes two years to complete full-time, or three to four years if you study part-time. It is the equivalent of a Foundation Degree or the first two years of a Bachelor’s Degree. They are practical-based courses that prepare you for employment or higher qualifications.

These are level 4 and 5 qualifications. Level 4 apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC). Level 5 apprenticeships are equivalent to a foundation degree, or a Higher National Diploma (HND). You undertake the qualification alongside paid work. You will typically learn on the job for 4 days of the week and learn at college or university 1 day a week.

A foundation degree is equivalent of the first two years of a Bachelor’s Degree. A Foundation Degree is a combined academic and vocational qualification in higher education. Foundation degrees are ideal if you’re unsure about taking a full degree. A foundation Degree will give you professional and technical skills to further your career – within a shorter time frame than a full degree.

If you have completed an HNC or a Foundation Degree up to level 5 then you can top this up to make it a full degree by joining a Top Up Degree. This will usually be a one year long course.

Bachelor’s Degrees are usually three years long but could be four years if they have a placement year. Depending on the subject being studied they will have a different title, if the course you are studying falls under the category of Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences then the degree will be called a Bachelor of Arts or BA. If your course is a Science based course, then it will be called a Bachelor of Science or BSc. If your course falls under the headings of engineering, then it may have a title of Bachelor of Engineering or BEng. The Bachelor’s Degree will give you the knowledge skills and experience required to go into work or postgraduate study in your chosen discipline.

A degree apprenticeship enables you to gain a full undergraduate or master’s degree while you work. Degree apprenticeships take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level. You undertake the qualification alongside paid work. You will typically learn on the job for 4 days of the week and learn at university 1 day a week.

Postgraduate certificates (PGCert) and diplomas (PGDip) are perfect for those who don't have the time or the funds for a full Masters. More advanced than an undergraduate degree, postgraduate certificates and diplomas are qualifications at the same level of study as Masters degrees, but they're shorter. The PG cert is the shortest qualification and worth 60 credits. The PG dip is worth 120 credits.

A Masters Degree is a level 7 post-graduate course that will enable you to demonstrate a higher level of expertise in your subject area. You must complete a level 6 Degree or equivalent in a relevant area before going on to a Masters Degree. The title of your Masters Degree will depend on the subject you are studying. A Masters Degree in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences will be called a Master of Arts or MA. A Master of Science will be referred to as an MSc. A Master of Engineering will be referred to as an MEng. A masters Degree will be worth 180 Credits.

A Masters conversion degree course is a programme of study that trains a graduate in a new subject and (usually) prepares them for a specific profession. You must complete a level 6 Degree or equivalent before going on to a Masters Degree, BUT it does NOT have to be in a similar or relevant area to the Masters conversion degree title.