Qualifications Levels Explained:

We offer a full range of accredited and in-house qualifications; this page explains the difference between the levels and how they are accredited.

Courses can be certificated at different levels, from an in-house certificate of attendance all the way through to a recognised professional qualification.

E-Learning

We have a range of soft skills, business and CPD courses, that are delivered 100% online through our website. Courses come with a certificate of attendance on successful completion.

Level 1

These are short courses, normally with no age or entrance restrictions.

Courses can be offered either in-house at your venue, on-line or by attendance of an open course.

Level 1 courses may also have awarding body accreditation which is recognised by Further Education institutions and may count towards your professional CPD, for example:

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

More advanced subject matter than a level 1 course, level 2’s may have age or entry restrictions place on them. They can be completed in-house at your venue, as part of a distance learning course or by attendance of an open course.

Level 2 courses may also have awarding body accreditation which is recognised by Further Education institutions and may count towards your professional CPD, for example:

O level – grade A, B or C
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

Level 3

Level 3 courses normally form part of an advanced award or as a stand alone “train the trainers” certificate.

These courses will need more time to complete as they have a greater amount of work. They will, more often than not, require both distance learning and classroom attendance.

Some Level 3 courses will also have awarding body accreditation which is recognised by Further Education institutions and may count towards your professional CPD, for example:

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
tech level

Level 4

Level 4 courses are indicative of a greater understanding and a higher level of learning than that gained through core modules at secondary education

These courses will need more time and commitment to complete as they have a greater amount of work.

Level 4 courses will have awarding body accreditation, which is recognised by Further Education institutions and may count towards your professional CPD, for example:

Certificate of higher education (CertHE)
Higher apprenticeship
Higher national certificate (HNC)
Level 4 award / level 4 certificate / level 4 diploma
Level 4 NVQ

For more information on qualifications or to book places on upcoming courses email gregory.gavin@gsgtraining.co.uk