It is the vision of the Business School that their military students attain highly credible qualifications that both compliments their training and also prepares them for their next career. The curriculum offered is a unique and ground-breaking academic programme that has extensively evolved into a full programme of undergraduate study.
Regarding the programmes of study, we deliver both in the classroom or by distance, here are some of the Questions we are often asked by our students.
Both Regular and Reserve serving personnel may access the SLC annual grant of £175.00 ensuring MOD form 1950 application for Standard Learning Credits (SLC) funding is signed in advance and approved by an appropriate person. Funding cannot be sought retrospectively.
For verification of the above, please refer to JSP 898 3.5.1 where the following statement can be found:
‘The MOD promotes lifelong learning among members of the Armed Forces, and this is encouraged through the Learning Credit schemes. The Standard Learning Credit (SLC) scheme supplies financial support, throughout the Service Person’s (SPs) career, for multiple, small-scale Learning Purposes to further motivate Regular and Reserve SP to pursue personal development throughout their Service.’
We have been in contact with a member of the University Enrolment Advisory Team who have advised us of the following:
This will cover the first year after which the student must apply for year 2.
Loan approval can take between 6 and 8 weeks
The key changes to the schemes are as follows:
As a point of interest, I would like to draw your attention to some significant information on this unique scheme that I believe may prove of interest to you.
At time of print, the above information is correct however, please consult with your Education Officer for confirmation that the above regulations have not been amended or consult JSP 898.
ELCAS Website: www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
As a member of HM Forces, all personnel are eligible for the Post-Graduate loan when completing a distance learning degree.
For up-to-date information about the Postgraduate Loan, from how and when to apply to repaying, bookmark our student finance zone at www.thestudentroom. co.uk/studentfinance
To apply for a Postgraduate Loan, go to www.gov.uk/postgraduateloan
The ELC scheme offers currently serving or former Service personnel access to a first full level 3 (GCE A-level or vocational equivalent) or a first higher education (HE) qualification (e.g. a foundation degree or a first undergraduate degree or equivalent) free from tuition fees. Here’s the basic information you need to know …
higher tier offers up to three payments of up to £2,000 in three separate financial years.
and lower levels.
different learning purpose each year.
Only one ELC claim can be made in any one financial year (April to March).
You must make a contribution to your learning of at least 20% of the cost (the ELC element includes VAT but excludes travel, accommodation, food, books and materials).
You must discuss your plans with your line manager and education adviser before making any financial commitment.
ELC are available for full- or part-time study for a qualification at level 3 or above, as defined on the NQF or SCQF, with an organisation on the approved providers list maintained by ELCAS.
If unexpected Service or compassionate reasons cause your withdrawal, ELC may be carried forward for two years, or a refund may be possible and an extra ELC authorised; all cases will be judged on their merits.
Changes to Enhanced Learning Credits & Further Education and Higher Education Schemee – JSP 898
The key changes to the schemes are as follows:
The MOD promotes lifelong learning among members of the Armed Forces, and this is encouraged through the Learning Credit schemes. The Standard Learning Credit (SLC) scheme supplies financial support, throughout the Service Person’s (SPs) career, for multiple, small-scale Learning Purposes to further motivate Regular and Reserve SP to pursue personal development throughout their Service.’ JSP 898 3.5.1
To qualify for SLC funding, the course of study must lead to a nationally recognised qualification, have substantial developmental value and directly benefit the Service.
Q & A
Q: Can I use Standard Learning Credits (SLC) in the same financial year that I use ELC?
A: Yes, if it is not for the same course of study.
Q: Can I use SLC to pay for an exam relating to the course of study being funded by ELC?
A: No.
Q: Do I still need to make a 20% minimum personal contribution towards the cost of the qualification course during resettlement if I am using IRTC with SLC/ELC to fund the same activity?
A: In the first instance yes, because you are required to submit a claim in accordance with the current ELC regulations. You may subsequently submit an IRTC claim in accordance with resettlement policy to claim your IRTC grant in full or part to help pay towards the cost of the higher-level learning.
However, under these circumstances only, it is permissible for Service leavers to use IRTC to pay, in part or in full, the mandated 20% personal contribution element.
Q: How do I know whether I should use ELC or SLC plus IRTC in resettlement to pay towards the cost of learning?
A: It depends on the cost of the learning activity and whether it meets the criteria of the various schemes. It makes sense to optimise the funding available, but talk this through with your resettlement adviser if you are unsure about the best route. In all cases it makes sense to maximise the use of learning credits up to the full value for which a claimant is eligible, before considering using IRTC to pay towards the same course. It doesn’t make sense to waste any of the value of learning credits.
Q: Can I only use SLC with IRTC to pay for examination fees?
A: No, you can use it towards any recognised national qualification or for any of the other permitted uses laid out in JSP898 – Defence Direction and Guidance on Training, Education and Skills.
Q: I have just been told that Reserves are now able to claim funding for courses, is this correct?
A. Both Regular and Reserve serving personnel may access the SLC annual grant of £175.00 ensuring MOD form 1950 application for Standard Learning Credits (SLC) funding is signed in advance and approved by an appropriate person. Funding cannot be sought retrospectively.
The IRTC grant exists to help towards the cost of resettlement training.
The IRTC grant may be used in concert with a Learning Credit – Standard (SLC) or Enhanced (ELC) – for any course that is completed prior to the Service Leaver leaving the Service and subject to the relevant criteria of either scheme. (See JSP 898 Part 4.)
Q & A
Q: Can I use my Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) and ELC to fund the same course of study leading to achievement of a nationally recognised qualification?
A: Yes. For courses that started on or after 1 September 2008, it is permissible to use IRTC with ELC or SLC (but not both) to fund a learning activity during resettlement if, in all instances, the criteria of the relevant learning credit schemes are met. For example, IRTC may be used with ELC but only during resettlement and to fund a nationally recognised higher-level qualification (level 3 or above) delivered by an approved ELC learning provider.
Q: Do I still need to make a 20% minimum personal contribution towards the cost of the qualification course during resettlement if I am using IRTC with SLC/ELC to fund the same activity?
A: In the first instance yes, because you are required to submit a claim in accordance with the current ELC regulations. You may subsequently submit an IRTC claim in accordance with resettlement policy to claim your IRTC grant in full or part to help pay towards the cost of the higher-level learning. However, under these circumstances only, it is permissible for Service leavers to use IRTC to pay, in part or in full, the mandated 20% personal contribution element.
Q: This doesn’t seem fair. Why only under these circumstances during resettlement am I allowed not to make a personal contribution?
A: Demonstrating a commitment to learning and personal development is a fundamental principle of the Armed Forces learning credit schemes. For the most part, the use of learning credits is aimed at developing people in-Service to the benefit of both the Forces and the individual. For Service leavers undergoing resettlement, it makes sense to use all the available funding to help pay the costs of undertaking qualifications and, where feasible, rationalise learning credit regulations with the resettlement rules. In addition, for the majority of cases and especially for more expensive higher-level learning courses, the principle of personal contribution is preserved as most claimants will make some element of contribution that often exceeds the 20% minimum.
Q: Since I can’t use any unused ELC later in the financial year for a different higher course, can I carry forward any outstanding IRTC grant balance?
A: In accordance with resettlement regulations, you can use any balance of IRTC to pay for another resettlement activity. This is because IRTC is a grant up to a maximum figure, so each individual is guaranteed an allowance to a maximum level to use as they choose until it is spent. ELC and SLC are not entitlements in that sense. The Armed Forces, rather, make a contribution to the actual cost of learning up to a maximum limit, as described in the scheme regulations. For ELC this is based on a ‘one hit’ claim per year, although for SLC multiple claims can be submitted in each financial year up to the maximum credit value, which is currently £175.
Q: How do I know whether I should use ELC or SLC plus IRTC in resettlement to pay towards the cost of learning?
A: It depends on the cost of the learning activity and whether it meets the criteria of the various schemes. It makes sense to optimise the funding available, but talk this through with your resettlement adviser if you are unsure about the best route. In all cases it makes sense to maximise the use of learning credits up to the full value for which a claimant is eligible, before considering using IRTC to pay towards the same course. It doesn’t make sense to waste any of the value of learning credits.
Q: What information is available to ensure that I use the correct combinations of IRTC and learning credits to maximise their value during resettlement?
A: Service resettlement advisers (SRA) have access to the latest advice and guidance, and should be consulted in the first instance. SRA have been given an IRTC/learning credit calculator that may also help to determine the net worth of the funding options and allow Service leavers to make an informed decision on which, and in what order, IRTC and learning credits can be used most efficiently.
Q: How do I submit a claim to use IRTC with ELC?
A: Having decided if it is to your advantage to use IRTC with ELC or SLC, you follow exactly the same process as before. For ELC the form has been slightly amended and you are asked to tick a box indicating whether you will also claim IRTC for the same course of study. Otherwise you submit a claim as you do now, having calculated your 20% minimum personal contribution. As for IRTC, you can decide whether to claim up to 80% in advance of your grant or wait until after the course has completed to claim back your IRTC entitlement, which may contribute in full or part towards refunding your 20% personal contribution. You will have to ask the provider to provide you with a clear invoice detailing the separate course fee elements.
Q: Can I only use SLC with IRTC to pay for examination fees?
A: No, you can use it towards any recognised national qualification or for any of the other permitted uses laid out in JSP 898 – Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education.
It is the vision of the Business School that their military students attain highly credible qualifications that both compliments their training and also prepares them for their next career. The curriculum offered is a unique and ground-breaking academic programme that has extensively evolved into a full programme of undergraduate study.
Regarding the programmes of study, we deliver both in the classroom or by distance, here are some of the Questions we are often asked by our students.
In practical terms, the change simply means that qualification titles and awarding bodies will refer to the ‘RQF’ (Regulated Qualification Framework) instead of the ‘QCF’ (although some still refer to old titles such as ‘NVQ’ and ‘BTEC’, from the previous National Qualifications Framework).
The RQF has made it easier for qualifications to be designed in direct accordance with market needs, essentially providing more relevant qualifications to learners, which should in turn make them more attractive to employers.
Having consulted with the ELC Scheme Manager:
ELC Claims cannot be amended once invoiced. As far as your ELC claim is concerned, having completed some of the courses, the claim cannot be reinstated.
The fact that you have changed your mind is not a good enough reason for any refund to be considered.
You will have heard people talking about different qualifications from GCSEs to degrees. You probably know that ‘A Levels’ are a higher level of qualification than a GCSE but do you know how all these qualifications relate to each other? Where do the new diplomas fit in against Apprenticeships? Well, all qualifications fit into a national framework.
Four qualifications frameworks are in use within the UK:
Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland.
Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
The framework has nine levels that people often use as shorthand to describe the qualifications needed for a particular job or course.
E (Entry Level qualifications)
All Entry Level qualifications are called Entry Level Certificates. They focus on a particular subject or area in which they develop:
Basic knowledge.
Skills Understanding.
They build confidence and help people to prepare for further learning, work and independent living.
L1 (Level 1 qualifications)
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 1 GCSEs achieved at grades D-G.
The Foundation Diploma.
BTEC Introductory Certificates and Diplomas City & Guilds Foundation Awards.
They improve basic knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector.
They help you to use your learning in everyday situations and tasks.
They will also help to prepare you for other Level 1 qualifications and for qualifications at Levels 2 and 3.
L2 (Level 2 qualifications) These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 GCSEs achieved at grades A*- C.
The Higher Diploma The BTEC First Diploma.
City & Guilds Intermediate Awards Young Apprenticeships.
They build your knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector. They enable you to use your learning in a wide range of tasks and also help you to prepare for other Level 2 qualifications and for qualifications at Level 3.
Most employers use this level as their minimum entry requirement.
L3 (Level 3 qualifications)
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 3 AS and A Level.
The Advanced and Progression Diplomas The International Baccalaureate.
The BTEC National Award.
City & Guilds Advanced Awards.
They develop your detailed knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector.
They help you to use your learning in a wide range of tasks and situations. They also help you to prepare for other Level 3 qualifications and for qualifications at Level 4.
Universities require most applicants to be qualified to this level. Employers will increasingly look for applicants who are qualified to at least this level.
Levels – 4 and 5
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 Foundation degrees.
Level 6
Honours degrees.
Higher National Certificates and Diplomas Specialist professional qualifications (L6)
Level 7
Postgraduate qualifications
They involve in-depth learning about a specific occupational role or area of study.
They help you to become specialists in your area of learning or work. They are normally divided into sub-units such as PG Cert, PG Dip and Masters Degrees for HE institutions and Award, Certificate and Diploma for vocational qualifications.
Level 8
PhD study – Research orientated.
HNCs (Higher National Certificates) and HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) are work-related (vocational) higher education qualifications accredited by Edexcel. They are highly valued by employers both in the UK and overseas, and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations.
The Cert HE is a level 4 qualification accredited by a university and broadly equivalent to an HNC The Dip. HE is a level 5 qualification accredited by a university and broadly equivalent to an HND
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification in higher education, introduced in September 2001. Foundation degrees are intended to give a basic knowledge in a subject to enable the holder to go on to employment or further study in that field.
It is common for Foundation degree holders to “top-up” to a full Honours Degree award, which typically involves one further year of full-time study (longer for part-time study.
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) are used by many Universities to monitor record and reward passage through a modular degree course and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions.
A Foundation degree is broadly equivalent to 240 points (120 AT L4 and 120 at L5), a ‘pass/ordinary degree’ – 300 points; normally 360 points need to be accumulated (120 at L4, 120 at L5 and 120 at L6) to qualify for award of an Honours degree.
A postgraduate (Master’s degree) is equivalent to 180 points at Level M.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is used to describe the process of giving credit for previous learning. In other words, make your military training and experience count! It is a general term and covers several types.
These are:
Any claim that you make will either be APCL or APEL or a combination of both.
The NEBS Introductory Certificate in Management is recognised as a Level 3 qualification; however, with just 34- guided learning hours it does not have the breadth of study that would be required for a qualification such as an A Level. It is a stepping-stone to the full Level 3 Certificate in Management.
The NEBS Certificate in Management is recognised as a Level 3 qualification that required an average 240 hours of study; for promotion and advancement purposes it is considered to hold the breadth of study required for non- specific GCE A Level equivalence.
(For info NEBS has now been subsumed into the Institute of Leadership and Management)
They are Professional Recognition Awards and are competence based recognising the practical application of professional skills, knowledge, and understanding in employment.
From October 2013, City & Guilds (C&G) replaced the Senior Awards with the Professional Recognition Award – as with the Senior Award, successful applicants will be entitled to a post nominal and entrance will be available at the same four levels.
Please note: A Professional Recognition award is NQF accredited and C&G have provided “Notional” NQF Levels however they are not QCF/RQF qualifications.
Successful achievement of an award will attest to the learner’s ability to operate at the following levels and are regarded as Vocation Certificates of Competence:
Licentiateship (LCGI) comparable to Level 4 Certificate of Higher Educations or HNC Affiliateship (AfCGI) comparable to Level 5 Foundation Degree or HND
Graduateship (GCGI) comparable to Level 6 Batchelor’s Degree Membership (MCGI) comparable to Level 7 Master’s Degree.
There is a clear line of progression through from Licentiateship (LCGI), Affiliateship (AfCGI), Graduateship (GCGI) and Membership (MCGI). To achieve an Award, Learners must provide evidence that they have met the six standards, which are based around the following topics.
Commitment to Professional Standards.
Communication and Information Management.
Leadership.
Professional Development.
Working with Others.
Managing Customer Relationships.
You have been awarded this level based on a military course you have undertaken. Degrees can only be awarded by Universities and a mandatory aspect is that 120 Level 6 CAT points are achieved. Non-University awarding bodies do offer Level 6 qualifications but cannot offer degrees. Level 6 credits can be used to gain access to an appropriate degree. This is a new qualification and currently there is little evidence within the civilian world to validate its currency but it does have a QCF – FE value which can be used to progress your study. The avenues open are to convert the qualification to a full degree or progress on to Level 7 study. In HE terms both Level 5 and Level 6 are treated the same. Should you wish to progress with your studies, it would be sensible to remain with a particular Awarding Body and progress through them. If, however, you wish to achieve a full degree, it would be an idea to contact our office on 01823 215712 to discuss a sensible way ahead or contact your local colleges and Universities and ask them what you need to do to achieve a degree.
The above question was put to the University Course Director; his response is as follows;
‘We need to look at each application on a case-by-case basis as the learners may have other qualifications. In order to join stage three, I would be looking for an appropriate level five award alongside the NVQ Level 7. If the level five award is less than diploma level learners would need to complete a bridging module.
I would suggest any learner would benefit from completing the access module even those who have met the entry criteria yet have not experienced study in a university environment. We can identify the benefits this access programme brings in terms of academic writing, academic language and overall learning confidence’
For those interested in undertaking the first degree via the fast track route, please contact Mrs Christina Doyle, Director, she will be more than pleased to ‘walk you through’ the process.
All entrants with a Level 6/7 qualification must have completed study at Level 5. In terms of the MBUS Integrated Business and Management Undergraduate (Integrated Masters Programme) The Honours route for the MBUS is the BA (Hons) Business and Management (Northumbria University), Please note, because of the disparity in credits between NQF and QCF L5 qualifications each application will need to be individually assessed to identify the appropriate level of Access/bridging assessments that need to be undertaken. This ensures learners have covered the principles of leadership and management as outlined in the Business and Management QAA benchmarks and has enough theoretical knowledge to succeed at level six/seven i.e. the University will look at each individual separately – they are looking for academic experience along with this level 7 certificate.
Because this is wonderful opportunity to enter onto the final year of a BA HONS degree, the questions to ask yourself are:
If in any doubt, we would strongly suggest you undertake the Access/Bridging module workshop.
This is an excellent springboard to continue to the level 7 Diploma and thereafter onto a Masters Degree. There are a number of options you could take. Edexcel, CMI and ILM all offer Level 7 progression or alternatively you can approach a university to get information on what you need to do to top-up your certificate to a higher-level Post- Graduate qualification.
The University needs to evaluate that each student has achieved 120 credits at level five or has a combination
of qualifications and experience equivalent to 120 credits at L5 in Leadership and Management.
This can be achieved in a number of ways:
Work Based Learning is a way of creating FE and HE level learning in the workplace. Learning is focused around work-linked features that take place throughout the working day and the general working environment. By using an actual working role and an organisation’s objectives as a focus for academic enquiry, Work Based Learning provides a unique and structured approach to assessment that benefits both the individual employee and the employing organisation.
WBS has elected to work with Northumbria University Newcastle Business School because of their track record working with Military personnel.
Northumbria University is now ranked in the top 50 of two of the UK’s leading university guides.
After featuring in the top 50 of The Guardian University Guide for the past two years, Northumbria has now climbed an impressive six places to enter the UK top 50 of The 2020 Complete University Guide University League Tables (www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk ), which were published Wednesday 01 May 2019
They have also been awarded Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB international) double accreditation in business and accounting making them part of an elite group of less than 1% of business schools worldwide. They are also the first Business School in Europe to get the double accreditation.
This, alongside achieving excellent learner feedback in the National Student Survey (98%-100% over the past three years) and helping the School achieve top 10 status for employability ensures the programme and Newcastle Business School are highly respected and relevant. Also, this is a distance course with excellent online facilities & support, therefore giving students the ability to complete with minimal impact to their lives.
Over 90% of Wessex Business School progressing military graduates have gained a first class or upper second-class honours degree over the past three years, making us very proud of our students!
HNCs (Higher National Certificates) and HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) are work-related (vocational) higher education qualifications accredited by Edexcel. They are highly valued by employers both in the UK and overseas, and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations.
The Cert HE is a level 4 qualification accredited by a university and broadly equivalent to an HNC The Dip. HE is a level 5 qualification accredited by a university and broadly equivalent to an HND
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) are used by many Universities to monitor record and reward passage through a modular degree course and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions.
A Foundation degree is broadly equivalent to 240 points (120 AT L4 and 120 at L5), a ‘pass/ordinary degree’ – 300 points; normally 360 points need to be accumulated (120 at L4, 120 at L5 and 120 at L6) to qualify for award of an Honours degree.
A postgraduate (Master’s degree) is equivalent to 180 points at Level M.
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification in higher education, introduced in September 2001. Foundation degrees are intended to give a basic knowledge in a subject to enable the holder to go on to employment or further study in that field.
It is common for Foundation degree holders to “top-up” to a full Honours Degree award, which typically involves one further year of full-time study (longer for part-time study.
The information beneath is a brief summary:
Mentoring
1. Ongoing relationship that can last for a long period of time |
2. Can be more informal and meetings can take place as and when the mentee needs some advice, guidance or support |
3. More long-term and takes a broader view of the person |
4. Mentor is usually more experienced and qualified than the ‘mentee’. Often a senior person in the organisation who can pass on knowledge, experience and open doors to otherwise out-of-reach opportunities |
5. Focus is on career and personal development |
6. Agenda is set by the mentee, with the mentor providing support and guidance to prepare them for future roles |
7. Mentoring resolves more around developing the mentee professional |
Coaching
1. Relationship generally has a set duration |
2. Generally, more structured in nature and meetings are scheduled on a regular basis |
3. Short-term (sometimes time-bounded) and focused on specific development areas/issues |
4. Coaching is generally not performed on the basis that the coach needs to have direct experience of their client’s formal occupational role, unless the coaching is specific and skills-focused |
5. Focus is generally on development/issues at work |
6. The agenda is focused on achieving specific, immediate goals |
7. Coaching revolves more around specific development areas/issues.
Wessex Business School, Apsley House, Tower Street, TAUNTON, Somerset, TA1 4BH – Version 8 FEB 2019
You will have heard people talking about different qualifications from GCSEs to degrees. You probably know that ‘A Levels’ are a higher level of qualification than a GCSE but do you know how all these qualifications relate to each other? Where do the new diplomas fit in against Apprenticeships? Well, all qualifications fit into a national framework.
Four qualifications frameworks are in use within the UK:
Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland.
Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
The framework has nine levels that people often use as shorthand to describe the qualifications needed for a particular job or course.
E (Entry Level qualifications)
All Entry Level qualifications are called Entry Level Certificates. They focus on a particular subject or area in which they develop:
Basic knowledge.
Skills Understanding.
They build confidence and help people to prepare for further learning, work and independent living.
L1 (Level 1 qualifications)
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 1 GCSEs achieved at grades D-G.
The Foundation Diploma.
BTEC Introductory Certificates and Diplomas City & Guilds Foundation Awards.
They improve basic knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector.
They help you to use your learning in everyday situations and tasks.
They will also help to prepare you for other Level 1 qualifications and for qualifications at Levels 2 and 3.
L2 (Level 2 qualifications) These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 GCSEs achieved at grades A*- C.
The Higher Diploma The BTEC First Diploma.
City & Guilds Intermediate Awards Young Apprenticeships.
They build your knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector. They enable you to use your learning in a wide range of tasks and also help you to prepare for other Level 2 qualifications and for qualifications at Level 3.
Most employers use this level as their minimum entry requirement.
L3 (Level 3 qualifications)
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 3 AS and A Level.
The Advanced and Progression Diplomas The International Baccalaureate.
The BTEC National Award.
City & Guilds Advanced Awards.
They develop your detailed knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector.
They help you to use your learning in a wide range of tasks and situations. They also help you to prepare for other Level 3 qualifications and for qualifications at Level 4.
Universities require most applicants to be qualified to this level. Employers will increasingly look for applicants who are qualified to at least this level.
Levels – 4 and 5
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 Foundation degrees.
Level 6
Honours degrees.
Higher National Certificates and Diplomas Specialist professional qualifications (L6)
Level 7
Postgraduate qualifications
They involve in-depth learning about a specific occupational role or area of study.
They help you to become specialists in your area of learning or work. They are normally divided into sub-units such as PG Cert, PG Dip and Masters Degrees for HE institutions and Award, Certificate and Diploma for vocational qualifications.
Level 8
PhD study – Research orientated.
The NEBS Introductory Certificate in Management is recognised as a Level 3 qualification; however, with just 34- guided learning hours it does not have the breadth of study that would be required for a qualification such as an A Level. It is a stepping-stone to the full Level 3 Certificate in Management.
The NEBS Certificate in Management is recognised as a Level 3 qualification that required an average 240 hours of study; for promotion and advancement purposes it is considered to hold the breadth of study required for non- specific GCE A Level equivalence.
(For info NEBS has now been subsumed into the Institute of Leadership and Management)
They are Professional Recognition Awards and are competence based recognising the practical application of professional skills, knowledge, and understanding in employment.
From October 2013, City & Guilds (C&G) replaced the Senior Awards with the Professional Recognition Award – as with the Senior Award, successful applicants will be entitled to a post nominal and entrance will be available at the same four levels.
Please note: A Professional Recognition award is NQF accredited and C&G have provided “Notional” NQF Levels however they are not QCF/RQF qualifications.
Successful achievement of an award will attest to the learner’s ability to operate at the following levels and are regarded as Vocation Certificates of Competence:
Licentiateship (LCGI) comparable to Level 4 Certificate of Higher Educations or HNC Affiliateship (AfCGI) comparable to Level 5 Foundation Degree or HND
Graduateship (GCGI) comparable to Level 6 Batchelor’s Degree Membership (MCGI) comparable to Level 7 Master’s Degree.
There is a clear line of progression through from Licentiateship (LCGI), Affiliateship (AfCGI), Graduateship (GCGI) and Membership (MCGI). To achieve an Award, Learners must provide evidence that they have met the six standards, which are based around the following topics.
Commitment to Professional Standards.
Communication and Information Management.
Leadership.
Professional Development.
Working with Others.
Managing Customer Relationships.
You have been awarded this level based on a military course you have undertaken. Degrees can only be awarded by Universities and a mandatory aspect is that 120 Level 6 CAT points are achieved. Non-University awarding bodies do offer Level 6 qualifications but cannot offer degrees. Level 6 credits can be used to gain access to an appropriate degree. This is a new qualification and currently there is little evidence within the civilian world to validate its currency but it does have a QCF – FE value which can be used to progress your study. The avenues open are to convert the qualification to a full degree or progress on to Level 7 study. In HE terms both Level 5 and Level 6 are treated the same. Should you wish to progress with your studies, it would be sensible to remain with a particular Awarding Body and progress through them. If, however, you wish to achieve a full degree, it would be an idea to contact our office on 01823 215712 to discuss a sensible way ahead or contact your local colleges and Universities and ask them what you need to do to achieve a degree.
The above question was put to the University Course Director; his response is as follows;
‘We need to look at each application on a case-by-case basis as the learners may have other qualifications. In order to join stage three, I would be looking for an appropriate level five award alongside the NVQ Level 7. If the level five award is less than diploma level learners would need to complete a bridging module.
I would suggest any learner would benefit from completing the access module even those who have met the entry criteria yet have not experienced study in a university environment. We can identify the benefits this access programme brings in terms of academic writing, academic language and overall learning confidence’
For those interested in undertaking the first degree via the fast track route, please contact Mrs Christina Doyle, Director, she will be more than pleased to ‘walk you through’ the process.
All entrants with a Level 6/7 qualification must have completed study at Level 5. In terms of the MBUS Integrated Business and Management Undergraduate (Integrated Masters Programme) The Honours route for the MBUS is the BA (Hons) Business and Management (Northumbria University), Please note, because of the disparity in credits between NQF and QCF L5 qualifications each application will need to be individually assessed to identify the appropriate level of Access/bridging assessments that need to be undertaken. This ensures learners have covered the principles of leadership and management as outlined in the Business and Management QAA benchmarks and has enough theoretical knowledge to succeed at level six/seven i.e. the University will look at each individual separately – they are looking for academic experience along with this level 7 certificate.
Because this is wonderful opportunity to enter onto the final year of a BA HONS degree, the questions to ask yourself are:
If in any doubt, we would strongly suggest you undertake the Access/Bridging module workshop.
This is an excellent springboard to continue to the level 7 Diploma and thereafter onto a Masters Degree. There are a number of options you could take. Edexcel, CMI and ILM all offer Level 7 progression or alternatively you can approach a university to get information on what you need to do to top-up your certificate to a higher-level Post- Graduate qualification.
The University needs to evaluate that each student has achieved 120 credits at level five or has a combination
of qualifications and experience equivalent to 120 credits at L5 in Leadership and Management.
This can be achieved in a number of ways:
HNCs (Higher National Certificates) and HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) are work-related (vocational) higher education qualifications accredited by Edexcel. They are highly valued by employers both in the UK and overseas, and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations.
The Cert HE is a level 4 qualification accredited by a university and broadly equivalent to an HNC The Dip. HE is a level 5 qualification accredited by a university and broadly equivalent to an HND
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) are used by many Universities to monitor record and reward passage through a modular degree course and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions.
A Foundation degree is broadly equivalent to 240 points (120 AT L4 and 120 at L5), a ‘pass/ordinary degree’ – 300 points; normally 360 points need to be accumulated (120 at L4, 120 at L5 and 120 at L6) to qualify for award of an Honours degree.
A postgraduate (Master’s degree) is equivalent to 180 points at Level M.
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification in higher education, introduced in September 2001. Foundation degrees are intended to give a basic knowledge in a subject to enable the holder to go on to employment or further study in that field.
It is common for Foundation degree holders to “top-up” to a full Honours Degree award, which typically involves one further year of full-time study (longer for part-time study.
The information beneath is a brief summary:
Mentoring
1. Ongoing relationship that can last for a long period of time |
2. Can be more informal and meetings can take place as and when the mentee needs some advice, guidance or support |
3. More long-term and takes a broader view of the person |
4. Mentor is usually more experienced and qualified than the ‘mentee’. Often a senior person in the organisation who can pass on knowledge, experience and open doors to otherwise out-of-reach opportunities |
5. Focus is on career and personal development |
6. Agenda is set by the mentee, with the mentor providing support and guidance to prepare them for future roles |
7. Mentoring resolves more around developing the mentee professional |
Coaching
1. Relationship generally has a set duration |
2. Generally, more structured in nature and meetings are scheduled on a regular basis |
3. Short-term (sometimes time-bounded) and focused on specific development areas/issues |
4. Coaching is generally not performed on the basis that the coach needs to have direct experience of their client’s formal occupational role, unless the coaching is specific and skills-focused |
5. Focus is generally on development/issues at work |
6. The agenda is focused on achieving specific, immediate goals |
7. Coaching revolves more around specific development areas/issues.
Wessex Business School, Apsley House, Tower Street, TAUNTON, Somerset, TA1 4BH – Version 8 FEB 2019
You will have heard people talking about different qualifications from GCSEs to degrees. You probably know that ‘A Levels’ are a higher level of qualification than a GCSE but do you know how all these qualifications relate to each other? Where do the new diplomas fit in against Apprenticeships? Well, all qualifications fit into a national framework.
Four qualifications frameworks are in use within the UK:
Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland.
Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
The framework has nine levels that people often use as shorthand to describe the qualifications needed for a particular job or course.
E (Entry Level qualifications)
All Entry Level qualifications are called Entry Level Certificates. They focus on a particular subject or area in which they develop:
Basic knowledge.
Skills Understanding.
They build confidence and help people to prepare for further learning, work and independent living.
L1 (Level 1 qualifications)
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 1 GCSEs achieved at grades D-G.
The Foundation Diploma.
BTEC Introductory Certificates and Diplomas City & Guilds Foundation Awards.
They improve basic knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector.
They help you to use your learning in everyday situations and tasks.
They will also help to prepare you for other Level 1 qualifications and for qualifications at Levels 2 and 3.
L2 (Level 2 qualifications) These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 GCSEs achieved at grades A*- C.
The Higher Diploma The BTEC First Diploma.
City & Guilds Intermediate Awards Young Apprenticeships.
They build your knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector. They enable you to use your learning in a wide range of tasks and also help you to prepare for other Level 2 qualifications and for qualifications at Level 3.
Most employers use this level as their minimum entry requirement.
L3 (Level 3 qualifications)
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Level 3 AS and A Level.
The Advanced and Progression Diplomas The International Baccalaureate.
The BTEC National Award.
City & Guilds Advanced Awards.
They develop your detailed knowledge, understanding and skills in a subject, a specific work area or a broad economic sector.
They help you to use your learning in a wide range of tasks and situations. They also help you to prepare for other Level 3 qualifications and for qualifications at Level 4.
Universities require most applicants to be qualified to this level. Employers will increasingly look for applicants who are qualified to at least this level.
Levels – 4 and 5
These qualifications include:
National Vocational Qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 Foundation degrees.
Level 6
Honours degrees.
Higher National Certificates and Diplomas Specialist professional qualifications (L6)
Level 7
Postgraduate qualifications
They involve in-depth learning about a specific occupational role or area of study.
They help you to become specialists in your area of learning or work. They are normally divided into sub-units such as PG Cert, PG Dip and Masters Degrees for HE institutions and Award, Certificate and Diploma for vocational qualifications.
Level 8
PhD study – Research orientated.
