National Vocational Qualification

Last updated July 29, 2023

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are practical work-based awards in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. The regulatory framework supporting NVQs was withdrawn in 2015 and replaced by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), although the term "NVQ" may be used in RQF qualifications if they "are based on recognised occupational standards, work-based and/or simulated work-based assessment, and where they confer occupational competence".^[1]

As the NVQ is based on a student's practical skills, it is completed in the workplace. The NVQ was assessed by building up a portfolio of evidence based on the student's professional experience. At the end of the NVQ, the student undergoes final practical assessments, during which an NVQ assessor will observe and ask questions. To achieve an NVQ, candidates have to prove that they have the ability (competence) to carry out their job to the required standard. NVQs are based upon meeting National Occupational Standards, which describe the "competencies" expected in any given job role.

NVQs are not graded "pass" or "fail". Instead, an NVQ is graded either "Competent" (which is seen as passing the NVQ) or, if further work must be completed, "Not Yet Competent" (which is regarded as failing the NVQ). Typically, candidates work towards an NVQ that reflects their role in a paid or voluntary position. For example, someone working in an administrative office role may take an NVQ in Business and Administration. There are five levels of NVQ, ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior management.

Although NVQs such as NVQ Level 3 can be roughly translated as being at the same level as a GCE Advanced Level or BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, in terms of depth and vigor of study, the NVQ cannot be compared with other academic qualifications at the same level, i.e. GCE Advanced Levels and the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (an A* at A-Level is equivalent to a D* at BTEC Level 3). For this reason, the NVQ Level 3 does not attract UCAS points and cannot be used for university admission.

In Scotland, the approximately equivalent qualification is the Scottish Vocational Qualification. They are the responsibility of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills in the Department for Education.^[2]

Levels

NVQs are competence-based qualifications. The five levels of NVQ are defined as having the following competencies:^[3]

Level 1 – Competence, which involves the application of knowledge and skills in the performance of a range of varied work activities most of which may be routine and predictable.
Level 2 – Competence, which involves the application of knowledge and skills in a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts. Some of the activities are complex or non-routine, and there is some individual responsibility or autonomy. Collaboration with others, perhaps through membership of a work group or team, may often be a requirement.
Level 3 – Competence, which involves the application of knowledge and skills in a broad range of varied work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts and most of which are complex and non-routine. There is considerable responsibility and autonomy, and control or guidance of others is often required.
Level 4 – Competence, which involves the application of knowledge and skills in a broad range of complex, technical, or professional work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts and with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy. Responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources is often present.
Level 5 – Competence, which involves the application of skills and a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Very substantial personal autonomy and often a significant responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of substantial resources feature strongly, as do personal accountabilities for analysis and diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation.

Approximate academic equivalents

Equivalents published by the UK government

Gov.uk lists the equivalents for academic qualifications between the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).^[4]

RQF/FHEQ Level	NVQ level	RQF examples	FHEQ examples
Entry		Entry level certificate Entry level Skills for Life Entry level award, certificate and diploma Entry level Functional Skills Entry level Foundation Learning
1	1
2	2	GCSE (grades A*–C) Key Skills level 2 NVQ level 2 Skills for Life level 2 Higher diploma BTEC award, certificate and diploma level 2 Functional Skills level 2
3	3	AS and A level Advanced Extension Award Cambridge International award International Baccalaureate Key Skills level 3 NVQ level 3 Advanced diploma Progression diploma BTEC award, certificate and diploma level 3 BTEC National OCR National Cambridge National Cambridge Technicals
4	4	Certificate of higher education Key Skills level 4 NVQ level 4	BTEC Professional award, certificate and diploma level 4 Certificate of higher education HNC
5		HND NVQ level 4 Higher diploma BTEC Professional award, certificate and diploma level 5 HNC HND	Diploma of higher education Diploma of further education Foundation degree HND
6		NVQ level 4 BTEC Advanced Professional award, certificate and diploma level 6	Bachelor's degree Graduate certificate Graduate diploma
7	5	BTEC Advanced Professional award, certificate and diploma level 7 Fellowship and fellowship diploma Postgraduate certificate Postgraduate diploma NVQ level 5	Master's degree Postgraduate certificate Postgraduate diploma
8	5	NVQ level 5 Vocational qualifications level 8	Doctorate

Research by the London School of Economics

NVQs are not formally defined in terms of equivalence to conventional academic qualifications. However, for the compilation of social statistics and other purposes, approximate equivalences have to be established. The following equivalences are used by the London School of Economics's Research Lab^[5]

NVQ 1 = foundation GNVQ, three to four GCSEs at grades D-E, Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC) first certificate.
NVQ 2 = four or five GCSEs at grades A*–C, BTEC first diploma.
NVQ 3 = two or more A levels, BTEC Ordinary National Diploma (OND), City & Guilds Advanced Craft.
NVQ 4 = BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND), or City & Guilds Full Technological Certificate / Diploma
NVQ 5 = NQF 7–8

City and Guilds

Licentiateship (post nominal: LCGI) sits on level 4 of the National Qualifications Framework,^[6] and is therefore comparable to lower NVQ level 4.^[7] Both Graduateship (GCGI) and Associateship (ACGI) are at level six of the National Qualifications Framework,^[6] compared by OFQUAL to the highest category NVQs of level 4.^[7] Membership (MCGI) is placed on NQF level 7, and Fellowship (FCGI) on level 8,^[6] compared by OFQUAL to NVQs of level 5.^[7] City & Guilds itself ties each NVQ to the level on the NQF with the same number.^[6]

Both Graduateship (GCGI) and Associateship (ACGI) have been awarded, before the year 2004, at level 5 of NVQ.

NVQ Subjects

Building and construction, and warehousing and distribution
Engineering, manufacturing, and transportation operations and maintenance
Science, horticulture, animal care and veterinary science
Sport, leisure and recreation, and travel and tourism
Hospitality and catering and service enterprises
Language, literature and culture
Health and social care, public services and child development
Marketing, sales, administration and business management
Crafts, creative arts and design, and media and communication
Direct training and support
Working within the hair and beauty industry

Classifications

The NVQ Framework classifies the economy into the following areas:

Tending animals, plants and land
Extracting and providing natural resources
Constructing
Engineering
Manufacturing
Transporting
Providing goods and services
Providing health, social and protective services
Providing business services
Communicating and information technology
Developing and extending knowledge and skill

Related Research Articles

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References

↑ "After the QCF: A New Qualifications Framework - Decisions on Conditions and Guidance" (PDF). Gov.uk. 1 September 2015. p. 4. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
↑ "Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
↑ "Vocational Qualifications" (PDF). Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
↑ "Compare different qualifications". Gov.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
↑ McIntosh, Steve and Steedman, Hilary (1999). Qualifications in the United Kingdom 1985–1999 (HTML tables). London School of Economics Research Laboratory Data Service [distributor].
1 2 3 4 City and Guilds: Qualification comparison Archived 2012-07-29 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 2 October 2010.
1 2 3 Explaining the National Qualifications Framework Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 2 October 2010.

External links

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[1] "After the QCF: A New Qualifications Framework - Decisions on Conditions and Guidance" (PDF). Gov.uk. 1 September 2015. p. 4. Retrieved 17 July 2016.

[2] "Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2021.

[3] "Vocational Qualifications" (PDF). Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.

[4] "Compare different qualifications". Gov.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2016.

[5] McIntosh, Steve and Steedman, Hilary (1999). Qualifications in the United Kingdom 1985–1999 (HTML tables). London School of Economics Research Laboratory Data Service [distributor].

[Qualification_comparison-6] 1 2 3 4 City and Guilds: Qualification comparison Archived 2012-07-29 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 2 October 2010.

[ofqual-7] 1 2 3 Explaining the National Qualifications Framework Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 2 October 2010.

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v t e National qualifications frameworks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
For higher levels, compare with the FHEQ system.
Level 8	City & Guilds Fellowship
Level 7	City & Guilds Membership, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, National Diploma, Level 5 NVQ (historical)
Level 6	City & Guilds Associateship, City & Guilds Graduateship, NEBOSH National Diploma, National Diploma, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, Level 5 NVQ (historical)
Level 5	Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, Level 4 NVQ (historical)
Level 4	City & Guilds Licentiateship, Level 4 NVQ (historical)
Level 3	BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, NEBOSH National General Certificate, Access to Higher Education Diploma, Advanced Extension Award, International Baccalaureate, Extended Project Qualification, Cambridge Pre-U, A-level, City & Guilds Advanced Craft (historical), Level 3 NVQ (historical), National Diploma* (historical), Ordinary National Certificate (historical), Advanced Diploma (historical)
Level 2	GCSE (grades 9–4 or A–C), Functional Skills (at Level 2), BTEC First Diploma, OCR Nationals, City & Guilds Craft (historical), Level 2 NVQ (historical), Skills for Life (historical)
Level 1	GCSE (grades 3–1 or D–G), BTEC Introductory Diploma, Introductory Certificate, Functional Skills (at Level 1), Level 1 NVQ (historical), Foundation Diploma (historical), Skills for Life* (historical)
Entry	Functional Skills (at Entry Level), Skills for Life* (historical),
* certain subjects fall under this level.