Course Levels Explained

The information shown in the table below provides a guide to attainment level progression.

The levels shown do not necessarily coincide with the level at which individual qualifications are set. For example, GCSEs are at level 1/2, but the level of attainment achieved by a learner is dependent on the grade they achieve. Where a learner attains a GCSE grade D-G this would be considered a level 1.

Whether a learner’s prior attainment is a full level 2 or full level 3 will depend on whether the qualification was defined as this when studied. This is because the qualifications that have been defined as full level 2 and full level 3 have changed over time. The qualifications listed in the table below are examples of qualifications which may have been full in the past. The guidance has been updated to reflect the introduction of the Regulated Qualification Framework RQF from the 1 October 2015 and the decoupling of AS Levels from A Levels from September 2015.

Level Descriptors

Entry level

Qualification equivalent

QCF qualifications at Entry level
Certificate in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL at Entry level
RQF qualifications at Entry Level
English and Maths qualifications at Entry Level such as Functional Skills Essential Digital Skills qualification

Level 1

Qualification equivalent

GCSE/O Level (at grades D-G or fewer than 5 at grades A-C)
CSE grade 2 and 3
1 AS Level (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015)
QCF qualifications at Level 1
Foundation 14-19 Diploma
Functional Skills
Certificate in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL at Level 1
Level 1 Key Skills
Level 1 Principal Learning
Introductory Diploma
Introductory Certificate
GNVQ Foundation
NVQ Level 1
RQF qualifications at Level 1
Technical Awards in the Key Stage 4 Performance Tables
Essential Digital Skills qualifications

Full level 2

Qualification equivalent

GCSE/O Level (5 or more GCSEs grades A*-C)
GCSE (9-1) (5 or more GCSEs grade 4 or above)
2 or 3 AS Levels (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015) CSE Grade 1 (5 or more)
1 A Level
Higher 14-19 Diploma
QCF Diploma level 2
QCF Certificate level 2 at 13 or 14 credits undertaken before 2014 to 2015
Level 2 Principal Learning
NVQ level 2
GNVQ Intermediate
Technical Certificates in the 16-19 Performance Tables
QCF Certificate level 2 at 15 credits and above
From 1 August 2015 vocational qualifications of 150 GLH or more. These are on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement qualification list.

Full level 3

Qualification equivalent

A Levels (2 or more advanced level passes)
4 or more AS Levels (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015)
QCF Diploma Level 3
QAA Access to HE Advanced 14-19 Diploma
GNVQ Advanced
NVQ level 3
AVCE double award
Tech Levels which are in the 16-19 Performance Tables
Applied Generals which are in the 16-19 Performance Tables (from 1 August 2015)
QCF Certificate at Level 3 which is 30 to 36 credits
From 1 August 2015 vocational qualifications of 300 GLH or more.
These are on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement qualification list.

Level Descriptors

Level 4

Current Ofqual Regulated Framework (RQF)

QCF Award Level 4
QCF Certificate Level 4
QCF Diploma Level 4
HNC
RQF qualifications Level 4