There’s more variety than you’d think for school qualifications. Most students are taking GCSEs and Advanced GCEs, but many are doing alternatives like Applied GCSEs and VCEs.

Qualifications you can take pre-16

GCSEs – General Certificate of Secondary Education
GCSEs were first introduced in 1986 and are well tried and tested examinations in a wide range of subjects in humanities, sciences, arts, languages, maths and technology. They command respect and have status not only in the UK but world-wide. There are no formal entry requirements and no lower or upper age limits. Students normally study up to 10 subjects over a two-year period.

GNVQs – General National Vocational Qualifications
GNVQs are work-related courses in subjects like business, art and design, hospitality and catering and engineering. They are usually taken full-time at school or college. As well as covering the knowledge and skills vital to the subject you have chosen, they give you a good understanding of an area of work and help you develop the skills you will need in higher education and in employment.

Qualifications you can take at 16+

Advanced Level Qualifications
Advanced level qualifications are demanding courses. They typically require two years full-time study after GCSE. Good results in these qualifications provide an effective way of entering higher education or a profession. Schools and colleges usually expect students to have obtained grades A* - C in several subjects at GCSE before taking an Advanced level course.

There are two types of Advanced level qualifications:

• GCE (Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced). These cover the traditional 'A level' subjects: humanities, sciences, social sciences, business, arts, languages, maths and so on.
• VCE (Advanced Subsidiary, Advanced or Double Award) Also known as 'Vocational A levels', these new qualifications have replaced Advanced GNVQs. They cover work-related subjects such as tourism, hospitality, engineering and healthcare.

Advanced Subsidiary courses consist of 3 units, Advanced courses have 6 units and usually take two years to complete. For really in-depth learning you can undertake a 12 unit VCE (Double Award) in one subject or, if you are taking an Advanced GCE, you can take the Advanced Extension Awards available in a range of subjects. It is possible to combine GCE subjects with VCE courses. Students are encouraged to broaden their learning experience by mixing academic and vocational courses.