Progression in Education
Are you an adult learner or someone who is considering returning to learning? There are many qualifications out there offering different ways to study and opening up different ways to reach the career you want.
As a mature student you should contact the college or university if you do not have the formal entry qualification requirements for courses at certain levels as often they will take into account learners skills and experience.
What is progression in education and how many levels are there to progress through?
Click on the level map PDF below to see what kinds of qualifications are achieved at each level:
Progression in education starts at entry level and the highest level that can be achieved is level 8. There are different routes you can take through these levels and many different types of qualifications.
Levels in education start at entry level, which usually include basic skills courses along with skills for life courses and basic languages.
Many of you will be familiar with GCSEs (previously GCE O levels and CSE qualifications). A GCSE at grade D-G is level 1 and at grade A*-C is level 2. There are also other types of qualifications at these levels such as BTECs (vocational) and NVQs (work based learning). With any of these qualifications you can progress onto level 3.
Many of you will be familiar with A levels which is a level 3 qualification. However, did you know there are other level 3 qualifications such as NVQs and Vocational Certificates.
With any level 3 qualifications you can normally progress onto a degree, either by starting on a level 4 or level 5 qualification such as a foundation degree or going straight in at level 6. Achieving a level 6 qualification will give you an Honours Degree. As a graduate there are a number of career opportunities open to you. You could even go on to become a master or a doctor in a subject by gaining a level 7 or 8 qualification.
Please note: you will normally progress within the same subject area e.g. health, if you wish to change the subject area you are studying in you may have to start at a lower level. Always check the course entry requirements and speak to the course provider if you are not sure.
What are the three main types of learning?
These courses will allow you to work whilst you learn normally whilst studying an NVQ. You normally get paid a wage and will have an allocated time each week when you will visit your learning provider (e.g. college). For some examples of work based learning courses that people have studied visit our case studies.
These are courses based at a college or learning provider but will provide more practical and career oriented learning. For example you could study a BTEC in construction and half of the time you might be in the classroom whilst the rest of your time might be spent learning the practical aspects of brickwork, carpentry and painting and decorating.
General Academic
These are probably the courses that are most familiar to you. They include GCSEs and A levels. These are studied in a classroom based environment although may have some practical elements to them.
You can change your learning type at any time, e.g. if you have a BTEC or NVQs at Level 2 you can go on to study A levels. You don’t have to stay on one route!