Study

Entry level qualifications
Full time college: 16yrs+

These are known as 'certificates' or 'awards’ and are open to anyone interested in gaining a recognised qualification. They are available in over 100 subjects and can help you build skills, increase your knowledge and boost confidence.

Location: FE colleges, workplace, community and residential or day care settings
Duration: Course dependant
Entry requirements: There are no entry requirements
Qualifications: GCSE English and maths
Leads to: Level 1 courses, work, apprenticeship

Alternative Provision
14 years+

Alternative Provision refers to education that a student receives away from their school, arranged by local authorities or by the schools themselves. It can be a successful option for pupils who need support to increase educational engagement. It can also help pupils gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. The Alternative Provision offer in Brighton & Hove is currently under review with a new Quality Assurance and directory.

A Levels
Full time college: 16-19yrs

Advanced level academic qualifications. You can carry on studying subjects you took for GCSE or pick new ones. Three varied subjects can be chosen to keep options open or tailor them to a specific career aspiration.

Duration: 2 years
Assessment: Mostly exams at the end of the course
Level of study: 3
Entry requirements: Typically 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4 (usually including English and maths)
Work experience: Your school or college may offer short periods of work experience, usually during year 12
Leads to: University or college courses, higher and degree apprenticeships, work.

T Levels
Full time college: 16-19yrs

Designed in partnership with employers to give you the skills and knowledge to get on in the workplace. They include a combination of classroom learning with real work placements. 1 T Level is the equivalent of 3 A levels.

Duration: 2 years
Assessment: Exams, projects and practical assignments
Level of study: 3
Entry requirements: Course dependent
Work experience: At least 45 days on industry placement
Leads to: Work, higher and degree apprenticeships, college and university courses.

Vocational Qualifications
Full time college: 16yrs+

These courses teach practical skills and knowledge for a particular area of employment. They can prepare you for a broad employment sector, like engineering or travel and tourism, or for a specific job like a chef or a hairdresser. Qualifications which teach you how to do tasks specifically related to the industry and role you want to be involved in.

Duration: 1 or more years
Assessment: Can include coursework, skills tests and exams
Level of study: 1+
Entry requirements: Course dependent
Work experience: You’ll learn in real situations in college, for example in a college restaurant or a salon that is open to the public. You may also have the chance to go out on a work placement with an employer
Leads to: Apprenticeship, work, college or university.

Applied General Qualifications
Full time college: 16yrs+

Qualifications that give a broad overview of working in a specific sector, like business, media, engineering, leisure or science and technology and are commonly known by their brand name, such as BTECs and Cambridge Technicals. A mix of classroom-based learning with the chance to get some practical skills. Duration: Course dependent

Assessment: Course dependent (coursework and exams)
Level of study: 3
Entry requirements: Course dependent
Work experience: Course dependent
Leads to: University/college, apprenticeship, work

Higher Education
18yrs+

Higher education is your chance to take your learning to the next level and prepare for your future career. It usually happens at colleges, universities, or online where you can study at level 4 and above. Going to higher education can open many doors for you. It often leads to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and the chance to pursue your passions. You can study subjects that interest you, from arts and science to technology and business. In addition to studying, higher education also offers chances to join clubs, make new friends, and gain real-world experience through internships or sandwich programmes. These activities help you build skills and connections that are valuable in the job market.

Overall, higher education is not just about getting a degree; it's about growing personally and professionally, setting you up for a successful future.

Post 16 education and training can be completed across 4 levels

Entry level qualifications:
None - just an interest in the subject

Entry level award
Entry level certificate (ELC)
Entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Entry level diploma
Entry level essential skills
Entry level functional skills
Skills for Life

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels:1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

Level 1 qualifications:
An interest in the Subject / 2 GCSEs at Grade 2/F

First certificate
GCSE - grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
Music grades 1, 2 and 3
Level 1 award
Level 1 certificate
Level 1 diploma
Level 1 ESOL
Level 1 essential skills
Level 1 functional skills
Level 1 national vocational qualification (NVQ)

Level 2 qualifications:
4 GCSEs at grades 9-3 (A*-D) (English and maths desirable) or a Level 1 qualification. Level 3 - 4 GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C), including English and Maths

GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
Intermediate apprenticeship
Music grades 4 and 5
Level 2 award
Level 2 certificate
Level 2 diploma
Level 2 ESOL
Level 2 essential skills
Level 2 functional skills
Level 2 national certificate
Level 2 national diploma
Level 2 NVQ

Level 3 qualifications:
At least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, (A* - D) including English and maths or a Level 2 qualification (Merit or Distinction) in a related subject.

A level
Access to higher education diploma
Advanced apprenticeship
Applied general
AS level
Music grades 6, 7 and 8
International Baccalaureate diploma
Level 3 award
Level 3 certificate
Level 3 diploma
Level 3 ESOL
Level 3 national certificate
Level 3 national diploma
Level 3 NVQ
T Level
Tech level