This suite of qualifications enables learners who are vocationally undecided to have their achievements recognised across a number of different sectors.

It will also facilitate movement between different sectors and reduce non-completion rates where learners start a course in one area and then decide to switch to another.

Vocational Studies qualifications are built from two groups of units:

  • vocational skills from the full range of sectors covered by the suite of sector-specific qualifications
  • generic employability skills

The units in each of these groups are the same as those that appear in the sector-specific qualifications to enable co-teaching.

Additional vocational skills sectors now available.

To the Entry level qualifications, we have added our new Land-based units. To the Level 1 qualifications we have added units within Music and Music Technology, Applied Science, Public Services, Engineering, Office Professionals and Land-based sectors and have added additional units to the Creative Media sector.

This mix of skills prepares learners for higher levels of study. Learners are more likely to make a successful progression if they move on, equipped with the appropriate interpersonal and study skills, particularly when these are delivered in the context of encouraging tasters in vocational areas.

The approach enables carousel or project-based courses to be developed to engage younger learners.

Our vocational studies qualifications are available at the following levels, please click the headings to reveal a full list of qualifications available at that level.

Supporting Whitepapers

Embedding English and Maths in vocational and employability/independence contexts

Demonstrating good practice in personal development, behaviour and attitudes

Supporting Learners’ Personal Development

Making the most of the Adult Education Budget (AEB)

T Level Transition Programmes