These qualifications were reformed in order to meet the requirements for 2016 and/or 2017 performance tables.
- England
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
The Department for Education (DfE) describe Tech level qualifications as follows:
Tech levels are rigorous advanced (level 3) technical qualifications on a par with A Levels and recognised by employers. They are for students aged 16 plus who want to specialise in a specific industry or prepare for a particular job. They cover jobs and careers where employers recruit people at this level or where a level 3 qualification is needed before students can progress to a related higher education course. Tech levels give students an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and skills to help them get an apprenticeship or job, for example in engineering, IT, accounting or professional cookery, or progress to a higher level qualification. In some cases, a tech level qualification is a ‘licence to practise’ or can exempt someone holding the qualification from a professional exam. Tech levels are recognised by trade or professional bodies or at least five employers. Alternatively, the qualification may be accepted by a national licensed professional registration scheme.
Some vocational qualifications offered at Level 3 have been reformed as a result of changes to school performance tables. Vocational qualifications must meet the criteria set by the Department for Education (DfE) in order to count towards school performance tables. These reforms mean that 91% of the Level 3 qualifications that previously counted towards school performance tables were removed from performance tables in 2016.
For accountability purposes, vocational qualifications are now be classified as:
- Tech level qualifications: The purpose of these qualifications is to lead to a ‘recognised occupation’. Examples provided by the DfE include engineering, accounting, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and IT. These qualifications must meet a number of criteria, including the endorsement of five employers registered at Companies House.
- Applied General qualifications: The purpose of these qualifications is to provide a broader vocational education. They ‘are designed for students wanting to continue their education through applied learning.’ These qualifications must meet a number of criteria, including endorsement by at least three universities and colleges.
The reform to vocational qualifications is being conducted in two stages: an interim stage and full stage. Each of these stages introduced new criteria for vocational qualifications to meet in order to count towards school performance tables.
The first teaching of the qualifications reformed on an interim basis was from 2014 and these counted towards school performance tables in 2016. Only qualifications that meet the full criteria count towards performance tables from 2018. The qualifications listed in this QIP are classified as Tech level qualifications however do not meet the full criteria to count towards performance tables from 2018 in respect of content, assessment and grading. Schools and colleges may offer qualifications that are not included in the performance tables, if the qualifications are approved for teaching by the Secretary of State under Section 96.
The 2016 and/or 2017 City and Guilds Tech levels meet the interim requirements set by the DfE and therefore may be offered in schools and colleges alongside the 2018 fully reformed versions:
|
|
Interim Requirement (for qualifications counting in 2016 performance tables) |
Full Requirement (for qualifications counting in 2018 performance tables) |
|
A. Declared Purpose |
X |
X |
|
B. Size |
X |
X |
|
C. Recognition |
X |
X |
|
D. Synoptic Assessment |
|
X |
|
E. External Assessment |
|
X |
|
F. Grading |
|
X |
|
G. Employer involvement (Technical Level Qualifications only) |
|
X |
|
H. Progression |
|
X |
|
I. Proven Track Record |
|
X |
As noted in the table above, the 2016 and 2018 versions of Tech level qualifications are fundamentally different.
For more information on the specific changes to 2018 Tech levels, please refer to a reformed QIP. Please also see ‘Key issues for UK HE admissions’ for some additional considerations when assessing these qualifications.
Further information about Tech level qualifications, and the range of qualifications that meet the 2018 requirements, can be found on the DfE website.
Regulation of Tech level and Applied General qualifications
The regulation of Tech level and Applied General qualifications delivered in England is the responsibility of Ofqual.
The regulatory approach undertaken for Tech level and Applied General qualifications differs to A levels. This is because there are no specific qualification-level criteria for Tech levels, as there are for GCSEs, AS and A levels currently. Applied Generals is a category introduced by the Department for Education for accountability purposes rather than a specific type of regulated qualification. To be included in the Tech level category, qualifications have to demonstrate particular features outlined in the table above.
Tech levels must comply with Ofqual’s general rules, as is the case with all regulated qualification.
- City & Guilds
There are four different Tech Level qualifications offered by City and Guilds:
- Subsidiary Diploma
- 90 credit Diploma
- Diploma
- Extended Diploma
These qualifications are modular in structure and are made up of a series of units, categorised by their guided learning hours (GLH). It should be noted that the Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for each qualification type varies significantly between subjects. Please see 'Guided/notional learning hours notes' for further information.
The suite of qualifications uses mandatory units and optional units. The number and proportion of mandatory units differs between subjects; in some qualifications all units are mandatory. The rules of combination for the qualifications specify the minimum credit to be achieved through mandatory and optional units and determine the minimum credit value to achieve a pass.
For more detailed information on the units/structure of a City & Guilds level, you should review the specification of the individual qualification you are interested in on the City & Guilds website.
- Agriculture
- Animal management
- Horse management
- Countryside management
- Forestry and arboriculture
- Horticulture
- Land-based technology
- Business administration
- Health and social care
- Information technology
- Travel and tourism
- Hairdressing
- Barbering
- Hospitality
- Hospitality: professional cookery
- Building construction
- Automotive
- Vehicle technology
- Special effects and media make-up artistry
- Veterinary nursing
- Sound and music
- Early years
- Construction
- Electrical engineering
- Light vehicle
- Pharmaceutical
- Beauty
- Level 3
UK Level 3 qualifications regulated to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).¹
Level 3 is broadly aligned to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6 / 7.
¹ The QCF was a credit-based transfer system which recognised qualifications and units by awarding credits. It has now been withdrawn for all new qualifications and replaced by the RQF. The RQF is the new system for cataloguing all qualifications regulated by Ofqual, indexing them by level and size.
The overall qualifications are grades Pass/Fail. Individual units are graded either Fail/Pass/Merit/Distinction, or Pass/Fail. For more detailed grading information, you should review the specification of the individual qualification you are interested in on the City & Guilds website.
Centres wising to offer these qualifications need centre and qualification approval from City & Guilds.
Assessment of this qualification is by a combination of:
- externally set assignments which are internally marked by the centre and externally quality assured by City & Guilds
- internally assessed, externally verified portfolio of evidence
- externally set, externally marked exam
For more detailed assessment information and for specifc unit information, you should review the specification of the individual qualification you are interested in on the City & Guilds website.
To be awarded a pass grade for the qualifications, students must achieve a minimum of a pass in all mandatory units and the required number of optional units as required by the rules of combination.
Where the unit is assessed by an assignment, students are permitted to resit individual units but will be restricted to a pass grade for that unit.
Where the unit is assessed by an exam, students can resit the exam.
Students must complete assessments during their period of registration.
Assessment is available on a rolling basis.
There are no limitations on the number of times a learner can attempt the assessments.
City & Guilds 2016 and/or 2017 Tech levels in the following areas are of standard sizes:
- Agriculture
- Animal management
- Horse management
- Countryside management
- Forestry and arborculture
- Horticulture
- Land-based technology
The standard sizes are as follow:
- Subsidiary Diploma: 360 GLH
- 90 credit Diploma: 540 GLH
- Diploma: 720 GLH
- Extended Diploma: 1,080 GLH
All other City & Guilds 2016 and 2017 Tech Level qualifications are of an individual size, ranging between 346 glh and 810 glh as follows:
- Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults) for England: 346 GLH
- Diploma for Legal Secretaries: 350 GLH
- Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision: 354 GLH
- Diploma in Allied Health Profession Support: 373 GLH
- Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support: 373 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Professional Patisserie and Confectionery: 384 GLH
- Diploma in Medical Administration: 386 GLH
- Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Distribution and Transmission (Technical Knowledge): 395 GLH
- Diploma in Travel and Tourism: 407 GLH
- Diploma in Gas Utilisation: Core Skills and Knowledge: 410 GLH
- Diploma in Pathology Support: 411 GLH
- Diploma in Professional Sound Engineering Skills: 420 GLH
- Diploma in Professional Sound and Composition Techniques: 430 GLH
- Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up: 437 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Advanced Professional Cookery (Kitchen and Larder): 437 – 467 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Hair and Media Make-up: 437 – 467 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating: 442 GLH
- Diploma in Nail Technology: 445 GLH
- Diploma in Barbering: 446 GLH
- Diploma in Body and Spa Therapy: 447 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Stonemasonry: 447 GLH
- Diploma in Hairdressing for Cutting and Styling Technicians: 461 GLH
- Diploma in Hairdressing for Colour Technicians: 462 GLH
- Diploma in Perioperative Support: 468 GLH
- Diploma in Plumbing Studies: 470 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Shopfitting Joinery: 470 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Plastering: 473 – 477 GLH
- Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures): 480 GLH
- Diploma in Music Technology and Sound Engineering: 480 GLH
- Diploma in Engineering: 480 GLH
- Diploma in Women's Hairdressing: 485 GLH
- Diploma in ICT Systems Support: 489 GLH
- Diploma in Heating and Ventilating: 502 GLH
- Diploma in Beauty Therapy Techniques: 510 GLH
- Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems: 518 GLH
- Diploma in Complementary Therapies: 520 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Floristry: 530 GLH
- Diploma in Bricklaying: 532 GLH
- (Technical) Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator): 540 GLH
- Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery (Kitchen and Larder): 555 GLH
- Diploma in Site Carpentry: 583 GLH
- Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals: 595 GLH
- Extended Diploma in Music Technology and Sound Engineering: 600 GLH
- Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles: 606 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Principles: 660 – 710 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles: 665 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles: 670 – 717 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Principles: 690 GLH
- Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Wind Turbine Maintenance (Technical Knowledge): 715 GLH
- Diploma in Veterinary Nursing: 715 GLH
- Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science: 720 GLH
- Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery: 785 GLH
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery: 785 GLH
- Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism: 810 GLH
City & Guilds Subsidiary Diploma in Land Based Services
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 56 |
| D | 48 |
| M | 32 |
| P | 16 |
City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Land Based Services
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 168 |
| D | 144 |
| M | 96 |
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Floristry
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D | 72 |
| M | 48 |
| P | 24 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Sound Engineering
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Professional Sound Engineering Skills
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Music Technology and Sound Engineering
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Technology and Sound Engineering
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Professional Sound and Composition Techniques
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma For Legal Secretaries
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D | 48 |
| M | 32 |
| P | 16 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation: Core Skills and Knowledge
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults) for England
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Allied Health Profession Support
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Pathology Support
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Perioperative Support
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 64 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems Support
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Travel and Tourism
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 64 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Barbering
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing for Cutting and Styling Technicians
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing for Colour Technicians
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Body and Spa Therapy
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Techniques
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 64 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Principles
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Principles
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 64 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery (Kitchen and Larder)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Hair and Media Make-up
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 48 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Plastering
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Professional Patisserie and Confectionery
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Shopfitting Joinery
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Stonemasonry
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
<
Tech level qualifications are advanced (Level 3) qualifications, mainly taken by 16-19 year old students who want to specialise in a specific industry, occupation, or occupational group. They equip students with specialist knowledge and skills.
There are a number of key considerations for HEPs when reviewing Tech level qualifications that do not meet the full DfE criteria from 2018:
- Applicants holding unreformed Tech level qualifications may not have had experience of external or synoptic assessment. In general, students with City & Guilds Tech level qualifications for the 2016 and 2017 performance measures will have experienced external examination assessment; the exceptions are the Diploma in Floristry and the Diploma in Gas Utilisation.
- The reformed and unreformed qualifications will be delivered by schools and colleges at the same time (see ‘Education context’). Therefore, HEPs may wish to consider their approach to setting and listing entry requirements for the specific qualifications.
- The dual running of the qualification may result in applicants declaring the incorrect version within their application. UCAS will be working to support applicants and advisers in this area.
- These qualifications are fundamentally different to the reformed versions and likely to result in students developing different skills and aptitudes. HEPs should review their understanding of these qualifications to ensure it remains up to date. HEPs may also wish to consider their approach to setting and listing entry requirements for the specific qualifications, and any differences should be clearly articulated.
The majority of applicants holding these qualifications will have completed their Level 3 qualifications in 2016 and 2017.
Progression to higher education is generally within the vocational area of the Tech level and may be to a foundation degree.
For those qualifications with a mixture of mandatory and optional units, the exact curriculum studied depends on the choice of optional units taken.
Assessment for these qualifications is available flexibly. Students may complete the qualification at any time during the year.
Students are assessed throughout the programme and may submit units for qualification award at any point during the programme.
Results and certificates are issued on a rolling basis.
These qualifications are current, but from September 2017 some of these will be legacy qualifications.
The results of most of these qualifications are reported to UCAS through Awarding Body Linkage (ABL).
View the results available through ABL.
City & Guilds does not currently publish grade distribution information or number of certifications for these qualifications.
Tech level qualifications differ in size; some may meet the entry requirements for higher education in their own right in a related area and some may need to be offered in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications, for instance A levels. In addition, some higher education courses may require specific levels of achievement in particular units or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject knowledge requirements.
Students who achieve these qualifications may go on to:
- Study these subjects or related subjects full-time in higher education
- Higher level or degree apprenticeship in these subjects or related subjects
- Employment in the sector or related sectors
Progression to HE will probably be in the vocational area of the qualification, and may be to a foundation degree or a Higher National qualification (HNC/HND).
Tech level qualifications are supported by at least five employers from the job sector the qualification is related to. All students have to take part in meaningful activity involving employers in the course of their study. Examples are work placements, taking part in projects, or some of the course being taught by someone who works in the industry.