Understanding vocational course levels
When enrolled in a vocational course, you will be placed on a specific level course based on your academic background and/or work experience.
Upon completion of a level and achieving the qualification you can progress to a higher level.
- Equivalent to three or four GCSEs graded D to G
- Suitable for individuals who did not pass their GCSEs or did not achieve the expected grades.
- Equivalent to four or five GCSEs graded A* to C
- Typically, the starting level for those who obtained four GCSEs at grade D or above, or equivalent qualifications at pass level, with specific grade requirements in Maths and English for certain courses.
- Equivalent to two or three A Levels
- Generally accessible to individuals who have passed four/five or more GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications at pass level, often with grade prerequisites in Maths and/or English.
- Equivalent to a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher Apprenticeship or Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE).
- Equivalent to a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).
- Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree with honours (eg. BA or BSc), a Degree Apprenticeship, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
- Equivalent to a Master’s Degree (eg. MEng, MA or MSc), Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
- Equivalent to a Doctorate (eg. PhD or DPhil).
More information on qualificationswales.org.