Skip to main content

Education Levels Explained

B&FC offers a wide range of courses for adults. Whether you want to take a professional course to advance your career, learn a new skill, build on existing qualifications or kick-start a new career, B&FC can help. With courses available at all levels, there is something for everyone. Here’s our handy guide to explain what different education levels mean. 

 

Courses that fit around you

However you want to develop yourself, there's an exciting and challenging course here at B&FC. Whether you want to improve your chances of finding work, change career or develop a new skill, you'll find the course you need here at B&FC.

We've got plenty of study options, daytimes and evenings so you can learn alongside your busy lifestyle. Depending on your circumstances you might be eligible for support paying for childcare, an Advanced Learner Loan or help with funding.  

Degree Levels Explained

  • Level 7

    Postgraduate study Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), MSc, MA, PhD Typical entry requirements: Undergraduate degree

  • Level 6

    3rd/final year of a degree BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), BEng (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship Typical entry requirements: For entry to a Lancaster University Top-Up Degree, applicants must have completed the Foundation Degree at B&FC. Please check the specific entry requirements on each course page.

  • Level 5

    2nd year of a degree; BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), BEng (Hons) Higher national diploma (HND) Foundation Degree Diploma of higher education (DipHE) Higher Apprenticeship Typical entry requirements: Progression from level 4 Relevant level 3 qualifications (eg BTEC, A-levels). See individual courses for grade details. Certain GCSE grades may also be required. Industry experience may also be acceptable in lieu of appropriate qualifications. Please check the specific entry requirements on each course page.

  • Level 4

    1st year of a degree; BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), BEng (Hons) Higher National Certificate (HNC) NVQ Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship Typical entry requirements: Relevant level 3 qualifications (eg BTEC, A-levels). See individual courses for grade details. Certain GCSE grades may also be required. Industry experience may also be acceptable in lieu of formal qualifications. Please check the specific entry requirements on each course page.

Levels Explained

  • Level 3

    Level 3 Diploma T Level CACHE Diploma ESOL Level 3 NVQ Level 3 Access to Higher Education Advanced Apprenticeship Typical entry requirements: Relevant level 2 qualification or 5 GCSEs grades A*-C or 9-4 including English language, maths and science Please check the specific entry requirements on each course page.

  • Level 2

    Level 2 Diploma CACHE Certificate NVQ Level 2 ESOL Level 2 O Level (grades A, B or C) NVQ Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Typical entry requirements: Relevant level 1 qualification or fewer than 5 GCSEs grades A*-C or 9-4’ Please check the specific entry requirements on each course page.

  • Level 1

    GCSE (grades D, E, F or G) Functional Skills Level 1 ESOL Level 1 Introductory Diploma CACHE Introductory Diploma NVQ Level 1 Typical entry requirements: Please check the specific entry requirements on each course page.

  • Entry

    Entry Level Certificate Basic Literacy (English) Basic Numeracy (Maths) Traineeship No formal qualifications are required.

ESOL

English for speakers of other languages- qualifications we offer

Functional Skills

English, Maths & Digital- qualifications we offer

Digital Skills

What is an EDSQ qualification?
Chat