Homepage > Learning > Qualifications
- Qualifications
- Understand the ‘terms’ used by different qualifications
- Find out what the entry requirements are
- Find out how a qualification is assessed
Qualifications
There are a range of different qualifications available to you and often they can be confusing. Don’t panic as we explain them for you! We also have Connexions Personal Advisers at hand in most secondary schools, not to mention Connexions Centres across Essex.
Understand the ‘terms’ used by different qualifications.
Academic - This means that a course is mainly based around a method or steps you would undertake to solve problems. These are theory based. Subjects like History or English would be classed as Academic.
Vocational - This is more hands on work, learning by the use of practical training of specific skills which is required for a specific career. Topics like ICT and Motor Mechanics would be classed as vocational.
Applied- This means a course is Vocational based (see above). Courses which are applied are more specific career focused.
Find out what the entry requirements are.
Different courses require you to have achieved certain grades or have taken certain subjects, before you can start a course. Therefore always check what you are required to achieve before applying. As an example it maybe that you want to go on and study Physics after your GCSEs but the course states that you need to have achieved a minimum grade of C at Maths GCSE.
Find out how a qualification is assessed
All qualifications are assessed differently, so make sure you find out first, before you start something you don’t like! Many qualifications require you to sit an examination at the end of your learning; this can often account for 70% of your final grade. Not all qualifications have exams like this, some of have unit tests which support coursework. Other courses may involve group work or be heavily based on coursework.
OpenQUALS
Use this site to search for qualifications you need for certain jobs.
TheSite
Explains what qualifications there are available and provide results advice.
OCR
This site has a useful qualification finder section.
QCA
The QCA (Qualifications Curriculum Authority) has information on education and qualifications for 14-19 year olds.
Your Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for posting a comment.
Your message will be moderated before going live on the site.
Please enter a message.
Why not rate this article? Give this article your rating from (1) not very helpful to (5) very helpful