Edexcel : Qualifications : VCE

No. There is no requirement for assessors or Internal Verifiers to have these awards. Assessors will need to be familiar with the new assessments and should be encouraged to attend the assessor training events. Good assessment practice should continue and there will still be the need for internal moderation to ensure consistency of standards.

Do we have to keep records of internal moderation/verification?

The Moderator will not expect to see any records, but in terms of good practice it is advisable for the centre to have a quality audit trail and to record outcomes from internal moderation activities. However, the current programme feedback report asks for comments on evidence that IV has taken place and that this evidence is clearly marked on the student work sampled.

Is it expected that one assignment will cover the whole unit?

Each portfolio unit has one assessment outcome, but that may be the result of a number of assessment activities; it may be built up. Much will depend on the model and practice already developed in a centre. The tutor support pack will give further guidance.

Does Moderation dictate the order of delivery of the GNVQ units?

Moderation does not dictate the order of delivery. In the pilot it was clear that there was no common method of delivery and this has been respected. The Moderator will sample, in the first year, any completed unit.

How are Vocational A Levels assessed?

Work is assessed through a combination of coursework and exams. Each unit is graded A - E and the overall qualification is also graded A - E.

Can you mix Vocational A Levels with GCEs?

Yes - and the combinations are endless! For example if you are interested in architecture, you might decide to take a Vocational A Level in Construction and the Built Environment with an A Level in Art.
If you are thinking about nursing as a career, you could take a Vocational A level in Health and Social Care with GCEs in Science.

Is a Vocational A Level as good as a GCE?

A Vocational A Level has the same value as a GCE.

How are Vocational A Levels different from GCEs?

Vocational A Levels start preparing you for the world of work as soon as you begin the course. You spend much of your time working on work-related assignments.
You have more assessed coursework and fewer exams than you do with GCEs.
Vocational A Levels have more optional units to choose from, so you have more opportunity to study the areas you are really interested in.

Can you choose which units you study?

All Vocational A Levels include units you have to take and optional units that you choose. There is a range of optional units so you can choose those you are most interested in.

What are Vocational A Levels?

Vocational A Levels are qualifications which have the same value as GCEs. They have a work-related emphasis. You take them in a sixth form or college. They prepare you for employment, giving you a head start in the search for a job, or for entry to higher education.
Vocational A Levels replaced Advanced GNVQs (General National Vocational Qualifications) which were offered from 1992-1999.

What do you do on the course?

Vocational A Levels allow you to gain experience of one or more areas of work. You spend time on work-related assignments, and may visit local employers.
You also have opportunities to develop the communication, numeracy and IT skills you need in any job as well as talents in report writing, making presentations and using spreadsheet packages where relevant.

Is a Vocational A Level right for me?

Vocational A Levels have been designed for 16-19 year olds but they are also suitable for adults returning to education.
They prepare you for a range of careers or higher education courses without limiting your choice too early.

hat if you want to study a subject in greater depth?

You can take a Vocational A Level Double Award, which is worth two Vocational A Levels and has twice as many units as a normal Vocational A Level.
You can study for Double Awards in all subjects except Retail and Distributive Services.

Who pays?

16-19 year olds don’t normally pay for Vocational A Levels. If you are over 19 you may have to pay fees - ask your local college or institution for details.

Where can you take Vocational A levels?

Vocational A Levels are available at school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and colleges of further education. Where you study will depend on which subjects are available locally.

Which subjects can you study?

Edexcel Vocational A Levels (6 unit awards) are available in 14 vocational areas:

Art and Design
Business
Construction and the Built Environment
Engineering
Health and Social Care
Hospitality and Catering
Information and Communication Technology
Leisure and Recreation
Manufacturing
Media: Communication and Production
Performing Arts
Retail and Distributive Services
Science
Travel and Tourism

Edexcel Vocational AS Levels (3 unit awards) are available in 4 vocational areas:

Business
Engineering
Health and Social Care
Information and Communication Technology

Edexcel Vocational A Levels Double Award (12 unit awards) are available in 13 vocational areas:

Art and Design
Business
Construction and the Built Environment
Engineering
Health and Social Care
Hospitality and Catering
Information and Communication Technology
Leisure and Recreation
Manufacturing
Media: Communication and Production
Performing Arts
Science
Travel and Tourism

Are there any forbidden combinations of subjects?

The only current rule is that students will not be able to take both Leisure & Recreation and Travel & Tourism in any combination because there are a number of units common to both qualifications.

What is the Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education?

This is the new name for Advanced GNVQs. There are three awards available:

Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (Double Award)     12 units
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education                                6 units (also known as Vocational A Level)
Advanced Subsidiary Vocational Certificate of Education            3 units

What is a Vocational A' Level?

This is the "shorthand" name given to the 6 unit Advanced VCE award. It was called the Single Award during its development stages.

What about additional units?

There are no ‘additional units’ but it is possible for students to take further optional units. Alternatively, students could do a 6 unit Advanced VCE or 3 unit AS VCE alongside the Advanced VCE (Double Award) to add breadth to their studies as suggested in "Qualifying for Success".