This qualification is not listed on the DfE 16 – 19 performance tables because it is not designed to meet the requirements of the Key Stage 5 performance tables.
- England
- International
Vocational qualifications are either work-related qualifications designed to enable students to gain the skills required to perform a particular job, or qualifications that may be taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.
Schools and colleges may offer qualifications that are not included in the DfE performance tables, if approved for teaching to 16-19 year olds by the Secretary of State for Education in England under Section 96, where this is in the best interests of individual students.
The LRN Level 3 Diploma In Pre-U Foundation Studies is designed to help students develop their understanding and knowledge in a specific area of study. The areas are split into pathways which are set at higher education level. The qualification is recognised by Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai.
The LRN Level 3 Diploma in Pre-U Foundation Studies provides students with an alternative route into higher education if they do not have traditional qualifications, or are unable to meet the normal entry requirements for an undergraduate degree.
This qualification is designed for post-16 students and falls under the oversight of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). A significant number of students will undertake these qualifications post-19.
Following its 2012 review of post-19 qualifications the ESFA removed 1,800 qualifications from public funding and a further 1,000 in 2014. In March 2014 the government published a Reform Plan for Vocational Education.
This qualification has not been subject to the same reforms as Applied General and Tech Level qualifications (which are specifically designed for 16-19 year old students). However the ESFA has implemented a new set of business rules for the approval of qualifications for funding, based on the 2013 Review of Adult Vocational Qualifications in England. These rules recognise that adults may have different needs, aspirations and ambitions to younger people and include that qualifications should be:
- relevant to individuals and employers and affordable for all sizes of business and for individuals
- rigorous and based on a robust future-looking occupational standard designed and assessed by the sector
- recognised as worthy of investment, giving a clear signal of the economically valuable skills, knowledge and understanding required in an occupation now and in the future.
Regulation of vocational qualifications
The regulation of vocational qualifications is the responsibility of the respective regulators in each UK country – Ofqual (England), CCEA Regulation (Northern Ireland) SQA (Scotland) and Qualifications Wales (Wales). The regulatory approach undertaken for vocational qualifications is different from A levels. This is because there are no specific qualification criteria for vocational qualifications, as there currently are for GCSEs, AS and A levels. Vocational qualifications must comply with the regulator’s general rules, as is the case with all regulated qualifications.
he LRN Level 3 Diploma in Pre-U Foundation Studies is delivered in Further Education, Higher Education, and by training providers. Delivery can take place on a full or part-time basis. This is a multi-sector qualification based on the A level standard. This is a stand-alone qualification with access routes to higher education.
- Learning Resource Network
The LRN Level 3 Diploma In Pre U Foundation Studies is a 120 credit qualification. Candidates must complete the three mandatory units plus three optional units.
|
Unit title |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Mandatory units |
|||
|
Foundation Mathematics |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Computing |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Study Skills |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Unit title |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Optional Units (candidates must complete three units) |
|||
|
Foundation Biology |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Chemistry |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Physics |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Further Mathematics |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Business and Management |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Economics |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Accounting |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Psychology |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Sociology |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Law |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Hospitality |
3 |
20 |
200 |
|
Foundation Government and Politics |
3 |
20 |
200 |
- Accounting and financial studies
- Business management and law
- Computer science
- Comparative government and politics
- Engineering
- Information technology
- Psychology
- Business management
- Business administration
- Business studies
- Biology
- Health and social care
- Hospitality
- Economics
- Further mathematics
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Level 3
Level 3 qualifications which are regulated to the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England and Northern Ireland and the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales, though many may be offered on a three-country basis.
Level 3 is broadly aligned to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6 / 7.
The overall qualification is graded as either Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Fail.
Mandatory units:
These are assessed through assignments which are externally set, internally marked, and moderated by LRN. LRN provides centres with mark schemes, assessment guides, and other notes to ensure a consistent approach is applied to their marking. Internally marked assignments are also randomly moderated, in line with the risk profile set by LRN,for the centre.
Optional units:
These are assessed through assignments which are externally set and marked by LRN.
LRN carries out standardisation to ensure the assessment carried out by LRN examiners, and that of its centres, is done consistently and in line with its mark scheme.
Candidates must achieve a Pass grade in each unit to be awarded the qualification.
Each assignment contributes an equal percentage to the overall grade of the qualification.
Candidates whose assignments do not meet all the assessment criteria are allowed to take a single resubmission of that unit.
|
Guided learning hours (GLH) |
1,200 hours |
|
|
Self-study (SS) |
300 hours |
Total assessment time (TAT) |
|
Formative assessment |
25 hours |
75 hours |
|
Summative assessment |
50 hours |
|
|
Total qualification time |
1,575 hours (GLH + SS + TAT) |
|
LRN Level 3 Diploma in Pre U Foundation Studies
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D | 144 |
| M | 96 |
| P | 48 |
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There are a number of key considerations for HEPs when reviewing vocational qualifications that are not listed on the DfE 16 – 19 Performance Tables for England:
- Some of these qualifications are occupational, and may not be designed specifically for progression to HE.
- Applicants holding these qualifications may be school or college leavers, however, some may be more mature students who are likely to have other relevant experience alongside these qualifications.
- These qualifications may have been taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.
- If they are presented for admission to HE it is likely to be in conjunction with other qualifications.
Higher education providers can expect to receive applications from UK and overseas applicants holding the LRN Level 3 Diploma In Pre-U in Foundation Studies.
Assessment
Assessments are available on demand all year round. However, the centre must provide 30 days notice to LRN.
Candidate results
LRN issues its results between four to six weeks upon receiving the candidate assessment from the test centre). Results are made available to LRN centres throughout the year. As indicated above, information is provided to centres within four to six weeks of LRN having received the assignments for marking. This will be available to the centres via LRN Portal.
This is a current qualification.
The results of this qualification are not available through Awarding Body Linkage (ABL). This does not reflect the validity of the qualification. HEPs will need to ask applicants to provide their own evidence of achievement.
View the results available through ABL.
There are no registrations or certifications to date on this qualification. The reporting of certification is through quarterly reporting to Ofqual.
The LRN Level 3 Diploma in Pre-U Foundation Studies has been designed to reflect the wide variation in students' origins, levels of education, and career aims. Progression opportunities may, therefore, take a variety of paths. Depending on the level of qualification achieved, it may be appropriate for the student to progress to:
- a Level 4 qualification in their chosen subject area
- a higher level qualification – e.g. Certificate or Higher Education Diploma
- an alternative Level 3 qualification
- vocational qualifications
- employment at a supervisory management level