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Qualifications explained
What is my NCFE qualification equivalent to?
We offer a wide variety of qualifications across many different sectors up to Level 6.
For more information on what your NCFE qualification is equivalent to, see the table below.
|
Level |
Qualification |
|
Entry level |
Entry level award Entry level certificate (ELC) Entry level diploma Entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Entry level essential skills Entry level functional skills Skills for life |
|
Level 1 |
First certificate GCSE – grades 3,2, 1 or grades D,E,F,G 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) Music grades 1, 2 and 3 |
|
Level 2 |
CSE – grade 1 GCSE grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C Intermediate apprenticeship 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 Music grades 4 and 5 O level – grade A, B or C |
|
Level 3 |
A level Access to higher education diploma Advanced apprenticeship Applied general AS level 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 Music grades 6,7 and 8 T Level Tech level |
|
Level 4 |
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHe) Higher apprenticeship Higher national certificate (HNC) Level 4 award Level 4 certificate Level 4 diploma Level 4 NVQ |
|
Level 5 |
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Foundation degree Higher National Diploma (HND) Level 5 Award Level 5 Certificate Level 5 Diploma Level 5 NVQ |
|
Level 6 |
Degree apprenticeship Degree with honours, for example BA or BSc Graduate diploma Level 6 Award Level 6 Certificate Level 6 Diploma Level 6 NVQ Ordinary degree without honours |
|
Level 7 |
Integrated Master’s degree, for example Master of Engineering (Meng) Level 7 Award Level 7 Certificate Level 7 Diploma Level 7 NVQ Master’s degree, for example MA or MSc Postgraduate certificate Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Postgraduate diploma |
|
Level 8 |
Doctorate Level 8 Award Level 8 Certificate Level 8 Diploma |