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.
This Level 3 qualification is designed for students who want to further develop their photography knowledge and skills. It 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.
The qualification 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 qualification 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, and offers exemption for the Licentiateship of the RPS.
The qualification is graded Pass/Fail overall.
To achieve the NCFE Level 3 Diploma 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.
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 interim-reformed Tech level qualifications may not have had experience of external or synoptic assessment.
- The reformed and interim-reformed 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.
Tech levels are designed to support progression to employment, an apprenticeship, or to higher education.
Progression to higher education is generally within the vocational area of the Tech level, and may be to a foundation degree.
The exact curriculum studied may depend on the choice of optional units taken.
Students may combine the Level 3 Diploma in Photography with other qualifications e.g. A levels or other vocational qualifications.
Further information can be found in the qualification specification below.