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Levels explained

Our Professional Qualifications are mapped against the regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and comparable frameworks such as the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

  • A Level 2 qualification is broadly equivalent to a GCSE or Highers pass grade, or NQV Level 2
  • A Level 3 qualification is broadly equivalent to A Levels, T Levels, Advanced Highers, or Access to Higher Education Diplomas
  • A Level 4 qualification is broadly equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree or a Higher National Certificate (HNC).

Our qualifications vary in size and complexity. The level of complexity or depth of skills and knowledge is indicated by the qualifications level. The higher the level the more complex the qualification.

  • ‘Size’ is measured in the number of hours of study required to gain the skills and knowledge needed to successfully obtain the qualification
  • The ‘size ‘of a qualification is indicated in its title – for example, an ‘Award’ implies between 1 and 120 hours of learning, a ‘Certificate’ implies between 121 and 369 hours of learning and a ‘Diploma’ requires over 370 hours of learning.