Age 16 – 19

England

Most students study up to four or five subjects at GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) for one year. This is a stand-alone qualification that is valued as half a full A level qualification. Students then select a few of those subjects to continue in the second year to a greater depth. The A2 is the second half of the A level qulaification. AS awards are graded AA – EE and A2 from A – E.

General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) and Advanced Vocational Certificates in Education (AVCEs) are being phased out. Vocational exams at this level are known as VCEs or GCE A levels in applied subjects. They have a similar structure to their “academic” counterparts at AS and A2 level and can be studied alongside each of these exams. VCE or applied A levels form the equivalent of AS or A2 qualifications, depending on the number of units taken and whether they are single or double subject awards

Advanced Extension Awards are “value added” A levels designed to test and challenge the most able 18 year olds and are graded as Distinctions or Merits.

The International Baccalaureate (IB), another A level equivalent, is becoming increasingly popular in UK schools. Students take up to 6 subjects at major and minor levels.

Vocational BTEC courses tend to focus on a single subject rather than giving an overview of a sector or discipline. The highest award for this age group is BTEC National which runs for two years and is considered equivalent to two A2 qualifications.

Key Skills which include numeracy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are also normally studied by this age group.

ICT specific

AS / A-level: There is a choice between ICT, which is roughly aimed at IT users, and Computing, which is focussed towards those interested in becoming IT professionals.

14-19 Diploma in IT is a new qualification in technology for 14 - 19 year olds. Diplomas will be taught in England from September 2008. They will prepare young people for the world of work and further study. 

There are other vocational qualifications such as iPro (a new suite of qualifications for IT professionals up to level 3) and Vendor Qualifications (e.g. Cisco and Microsoft).

Apprenticeships or Advanced Apprenticeships are available in three subject areas; IT Services & Development; Communication Technology (Telecoms) and IT User.

Wales

A Welsh Baccalaureate is being piloted, offering a broad range of subjects up to age 18. Students can study Modern Apprenticeships.

Northern Ireland

Students can study for Modern Apprenticeships.

Scotland

In Scotland students sit Highers at the end of their fifth year (equivalent to Year 12 in the rest of the UK). The number of subjects and the level sat depend on Standard grade results. Higher education institutions in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland base their entry requirements on Higher passes. Students with Higher passes from fifth year may chose to take two or three Advanced Highers in their sixth year. These are needed for very competitive degree subjects across the UK, although they may give accelerated entry to year two of some degrees. Highers and Advanced Highers are classified from A – D.

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are available at five levels.

Last modified: 05 Jul 2007