Qualifications explained
Do you want to find out what level of study is right for you and what qualifications you need? Are you confused by the different qualifications and how they compare to GCSEs, A-Levels and NVQs? Use the handy guides below to help make sense of the variety of qualifications on offer and to see what courses are right for you at Ruskin.
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Entry Level
(Entry Level)
Read moreWhat do you need?
No prior qualification
What course?
Residential:
Alcohol Awareness
Creative Writing
Drug Awareness
Street Solidarity
Introduction to Counselling
Mental Health Awareness
YogaResidential IT Skills:
Desktop Publishing Skills
PowerPoint Skills
Spreadsheet Skills
Word SkillsCertificate:
Employability Skills
ESOL Skills for LifeAward:
Employability Skills
English Skills
Maths SkillsFunctional Skills:
Where next?
These courses could help you get into paid or voluntary employment, further training, or simply improve your life skills.
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Level 1
(Foundation Level)
Read moreWhat do you need?
Relevant Entry Level qualification in English/Maths
What course?
Pre-Access Certificate:
Skills for Professions in Health & Social Care
Certificate:
Employability Skills
ESOL Skills for Life
IT User SkillsAward:
Addictive Desire Recognition
Computer Skills
Developing Leadership Skills
Economic Wellbeing and Financial Capability
Employability Skills
English Skills
Maths Skills
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Preparing for Further StudyFunctional Skills:
Equivalent to
GCSEs D-G
BTEC Introductory Diplomas/Certificates
Foundation Courses
NVQ Level 1Where next?
You can progress to a Level 2 course or boost your career prospects.
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Level 2
(Intermediate Level)
Read moreWhat do you need?
Level 1 qualification in English/Maths
What course?
Pre-Access Certificate:
Health & Human Sciences
Humanities & Social SciencesCertificate:
Employability
IT User Skills
Skills for Leaning Support Practitioners
Youth Work PracticeAward:
Developing Emotional Resilience
Developing Leadership Skills
Employability Skills
IT User Skills
Key Mediation Skills
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Peer Mentoring
Preventing and Tackling Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Personal Budget & Debt ManagementEquivalent to
GCSEs A*-C
BTEC Certificate
NVQ Level 2Where next?
You can move on to a Level 3 study course or get a step up on the career ladder.
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Level 3
(Advanced Level)
Read moreWhat do you need?
Level 2 qualification in English/Maths
What course?
Access to HE Diploma:
Health & Social Care
Social Science
Nursing
Social ScienceCertificate:
Award:
Developing Counselling Skills
Education & Training
Information, Advice & GuidanceEquivalent to
AS/A-Levels
International Baccalaureate
BTEC National Diploma/Certificate
NVQ Level 3Where next?
You could progress to Higher Education or a wide range of traineeships and jobs.
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Level 4-7
(Higher Level)
Read moreWhat do you need?
Level 2 qualification in English/Maths. No specific Level 3 academic entry requirements (see individual course info for more details)
What course?
BA Honours degree:
Applied Social Science
Community Development & Youth Work
Health & Social Care
BusinessHE Certificate:
Master’s Degree:
Equivalent to
BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma
Where next?
You can go into further study or professional training, or improve your career path.
More about our qualifications:
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Skills for Life
Skills for Life are entry level qualifications in literacy, language (ESOL) and numeracy, which will help your route into education and improve your life skills.
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Awards and Certificates
Our versatile awards and certificates help you develop a range of essential skills that will help you take your next steps in life, work and study. The qualifications are designed to meet your individual circumstances and we will work with you to find a pattern of learning suited to you. The qualifications are available from Entry Level up to Level 3.
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Functional Skills
Functional Skills are Level 1 and 2 qualifications in English, Maths and ICT that help you develop the practical skills you need for life, education and the workplace. These gateway qualifications are based on assessments set in everyday situations and are useful if you may not yet have achieved a GCSE grade C or above.
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Access to Higher Education
With an Access to HE Diploma, you will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to study at degree level and experience the different kinds of learning that you need for university. The Diploma is a Level 3 qualification, equivalent to three A-Levels, and is recognised by universities as meeting their minimum entry requirements.
Pre-Access Certificates are designed to support your progression towards taking a Diploma.
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HE Certificate
A Certificate of Higher Education is a Level 4 qualification, equivalent to an HNC or NVQ Level 4, or the first part of an honours degree, providing you with an ideal entry route to degree-level study.
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Foundation Degree
A Foundation Degree is a Level 5 qualification, equivalent to two thirds of BA Honours degree. It will provide you with the comprehensive knowledge you need to go on to relevant employment or further study towards a full degree.
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BA Honours Degree
An honours degree is the most common Level 6 qualification. You would usually study a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree for three years full-time and it prepares you for your chosen career or for postgraduate studies.
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MA
An MA, or Master of Arts, is a Level 7 qualification, typically studied on completion of a Bachelor’s degree. Study is more intensive than on a BA and typically involves completing a series of modules and writing a dissertation.