Home >> Education >> Qualifications >> 14 -16 - qualifications overview

• GCSEs are the main qualification students take in Years 10 & 11. It usually takes 2 years to complete a full GCSE.
• They are available in a wide range of subjects. Some subjects have different levels of difficulty - your school will enter you for the appropriate exam.
• GCSEs are graded A* - G. Assessment is usually a combination of coursework, assignments and exams.
  

GCSE Short Courses

• These are at the same level as a full GCSE but take half the time to do as they cover fewer topics.
• Two short course GCSEs make up one full GCSE.
• GCSE short course are available in a wide range of subjects. 
• Short courses are graded the same as full GCSEs. 

GCSEs in applied subjects

• These courses are designed to be more practical and related to areas of work. They are equivalent to 2 ordinary GCSEs.  
• They are available in 8 different subject areas at the moment - Art and Design, Applied Business, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Applied Information and Communication Technology, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing and Applied Science.
• They are graded in the same way as other GCSEs.

Diplomas

• Diplomas are new qualifications that are being introduced from September 2008; some schools will offer them from 2008, more will be available from 2009 onwards.
• They are designed to combine theoretical study with practical activities. 
• Each Diploma offers the chance to develop work-relevant skills as well as English, maths and ICT.
• Diplomas are available at different levels. At 14 you can either study a Foundation or Higher Diploma.  

Level 1 courses

• These courses are designed for students who want to learn more about a particular area of work.
• Different subjects are available such as Applied Science, Construction, Engineering, Business, Retail and Administration and Performing Arts and more.  You will need to find out what is available at your school.
• You can take these courses alongside other qualifications such as GCSEs.

Entry level qualifications

• These are for students who are not ready to take GCSEs. 
• Entry level qualifications are available in a wide range of subjects.
• They can lead on to other qualifications.

 

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