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.
This Level 3 qualification is designed for students who want to further develop their photography knowledge and skills and develops students’ knowledge, skills and understanding in areas such as camera techniques, image processing and manipulation, history of photography and styles of photography such as portrait, location and documentary.
It is the substantial qualification component of the study programme and aims to help students develop the skills and understanding required to work in the sector or to undertake further learning.
Students will develop generic, transferable skills valued by employers, such as communication, planning and health and safety principles.
They will also research job opportunities or freelance options and assess their strengths in areas such as positive attitude, punctuality and self-motivation.
In addition, the requirement to complete optional units means that students are able to develop more specialist knowledge and skills in particular areas. For those who wish to study at a higher level, the qualifications will enable them to develop higher level learning skills such as independent working, research, self-reflection and collaborative learning.
The qualification has been endorsed by the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).
The qualification is graded Pass/Fail overall.
To achieve the NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Photography, students must successfully demonstrate their achievement of all learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the units as detailed in the qualification specification.
Internally assessed and externally quality assured portfolio of evidence.
Students are set assignments. These may be in the form of briefs, problem solving exercises and research investigations. They are contextualised using realistic scenarios. The assessment may require students to write a report, write a business proposal, deliver a presentation, or make conclusions based on extensive research into a practical investigation.
All assessment is criterion-referenced, based on the achievement of specified learning outcomes. Each unit within a qualification has specified assessment guidance.
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.
Students may combine the Level 3 Certificate in Photography with other qualifications e.g. A levels or other vocational qualifications.
Further information can be found in the qualification specification below.