School Leavers
Qualification Guide
More information on:
- Study Options
- Course Options at Level 3
- Combining different types of qualifications
- Progression Routes.
Study Options
For you to be happy and successful in your studies it is vital that you are on a programme that suits your ability.
After completing your Level 2 GCSEs, the next step is to move on to a Level 3 qualification. However, this may not suit all students. At Macclesfield Learning Zone you can also take Pre-Entry, Entry, Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications to build up your skills and allow you to progress on to further study or employment in the future.
Our entry requirements vary depending on the course. They can be seen under the Courses section. Entry requirements are a guide to which level of course will be the most appropriate for you and you will need to meet these before being accepted onto a particular programme or level of study.
Course Options at Level 3
The following qualifications allow you to progress straight into employment or on to a Level 4 qualification such as a Foundation Degree at College or Degree at University:
- Advanced Diploma - Equivalent to 3.5 A Levels and worth up to 420 UCAS points
- BTEC National Award – 6 units are studied to provide a qualification equivalent to 1 A Level and worth up to 120 UCAS points
- BTEC National Certificate – 12 units are studied to provide a qualification equivalent to 2 A Levels and worth up to 240 UCAS points
- BTEC National Diploma – 18 units are studied to provide a qualification equivalent to 3 A Levels and worth up to 360 UCAS points
- CACHE Diploma Level 3 – Equivalent to 3 A Levels and worth up to 360 UCAS points
- One A Level (AS plus A2) - worth up to 120 UCAS points
- One AS qualification - worth up to 60 UCAS points
Other Level 3 qualifications which develop occupational skills and can lead to further specialised training or employment include:
- NVQs
- VTCT Diplomas
The Advanced Diploma
The Diploma is an exciting new qualification for 14-19 year olds that combines theoretical study with hands-on experience and develops the essential skills, knowledge and experience needed for success at college, university and work.
There are three levels of Diploma:
- Foundation Diploma (Level 1)
- Higher Diploma (Level 2)
- Advanced Diploma (Level 3)
As part of the East Cheshire Partnership, Macclesfield College works with local schools to provide the first two levels of Diploma to pupils aged 14-16. For students aged 16-19 Macclesfield Learning Zone offers the Level 3 Advanced Diploma.
The Advanced Diploma is an exciting, brand new, nationally recognised qualification. It is studied for 2 years and is equivalent to 3.5 A Levels, which means it is worth up to 420 UCAS points.
What will I study?
Five different Advanced Diploma subjects are available at Macclesfield Learning Zone:
- Business, Administration and Finance
- Creative and Media
- Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical)
- Manufacturing and Product Design
- Society, Health and Development
All Diplomas require students to achieve a minimum standard in English, Maths and ICT, complete a project and participate in a minimum of 10 days of real work activities.
Diploma students will acquire the skills and knowledge essential for success in employment and Higher Education, skills which are both related to the subject and are generic, like teamwork, self management and critical thinking.
Diploma students will also take Additional/Specialist Learning, which offers the opportunity to study a particular topic in more depth or broaden your studies through a choice of A Levels.
So, for example, if you want a career in IT Management you could choose to study for an Advanced Diploma in Business, Administration & Finance and as your Additional/Specialist Learning could take A Level Mathematics.
What can I go on to do?
All Diplomas provide the skills and knowledge needed for progression into employment or Higher Education. Studying for a particular Advanced Diploma will give you an insight into what that sector is like without committing you to a certain career path. However, if you do decide to pursue your Advanced Diploma subject, then you should have an advantage when applying for a job, apprenticeship or university place.
What are the entry requirements?
Entry requirements are a guide to whether the course you would like to do will be appropriate for you. You will need to meet these requirements before being accepted onto a particular course.
The entry requirements for Advanced Diplomas may vary depending on the course you choose, however as a guide, the minimum entry requirements are 4 GCSEs at grade C or above.
You’ll find more details on all the Diploma qualifications at www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas
General Vocational Qualifications
These include BTEC National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas, which are studied in LZ6 and Macclesfield College’s Creative Studies and ECAT departments. The BTEC National Diploma is a full-time qualification which provides another alternative to A Levels. It is studied over 2 years and places more emphasis on practical skills and work related assignments.
CACHE qualifications are also available in Childcare and Education and are studied at LZ6.
Occupational Vocational Qualifications
These NVQ, City & Guilds and VTCT Diploma qualifications give students the specific skills they need to work in particular industries, such as Hair and Beauty, Catering and Hospitality. They are studied in specialist, industry-standard learning environments based in Macclesfield College and ECAT.
A Level qualifications
At LZ6 you can study for a wide range of AS and A2 academic qualifications. Most students will follow four AS subjects in Year 12 and three A2 subjects in Year 13.
Combining Different Types of Qualifications
At Macclesfield Learning Zone you can choose study options to suit your individual needs and career choices. BTECs and A Levels can be combined and you can also choose an A Level subject as part of your Advanced Diploma.
The full list of subject areas available at Macclesfield Learning Zone can be seen in the Courses section.
Progression Routes
After successfully completing each level of study you will gain nationally recognised qualifications and have the opportunity to progress onto the next level of qualification, further specialised training, or into employment.
The skills you gain and progression routes for the specific qualifications are:
Pre-Entry and Entry Level
These qualifications develop numeracy, literacy, social and personal skills
Level 1 BTEC and CACHE
These qualifications are equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grade D-G
Level 1 NVQ and City & Guilds Diploma
These qualifications help you to develop occupational skills
Level 2 BTEC and CACHE
These qualifications are equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grade A*-C
Level 2 NVQ and VTCT
These qualifications help you to develop occupational skills