GOV.UK
Guidance
Qualification descriptions
Updated
1. Introduction
Section 132 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 allows organisations to apply to be recognised for ‘descriptions of qualifications’ as well as individual qualifications.
This guidance explains the different qualification types (or descriptions of qualifications) you can apply for. These may be at different levels or in different sector subject areas.
2. Qualification descriptions
- GCSE (A* to G), general certificate of secondary education graded A* to G
- GCSE (9 to 1), general certificate of secondary education graded 9 to 1
- GCE AS level, general certificate of education, advanced subsidiary level
- GCE A levels, general certificate of education, advanced level
- entry level
- English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
- functional skills
- national vocational qualifications (NVQs)
- other general qualifications
- free-standing mathematics
- project
- principal learning
- vocationally related qualifications (VRQs)
3. Sector subject areas
We classify all qualifications using the numbered categories in the tables below. You will need to refer to these tables when making your application for recognition.
| 1 - Health, Public Services and Care |
|---|
| 1.1 - Medicine and dentistry |
| 1.2 - Nursing, and subjects and vocations allied to medicine |
| 1.3 - Health and social care |
| 1.4 - Public services |
| 1.5 - Child development and well being |
| 2 - Science and Mathematics |
|---|
| 2.1 - Science |
| 2.2 - Mathematics and statistics |
| 3 - Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care |
|---|
| 3.1 - Agriculture |
| 3.2 - Horticulture and forestry |
| 3.3 - Animal care and veterinary science |
| 3.4 - Environmental conservation |
| 4 - Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies |
|---|
| 4.1 - Engineering |
| 4.2 - Manufacturing technologies |
| 4.3 - Transportation operations and maintenance |
| 5 - Construction, Planning and the Built Environment |
|---|
| 5.1 - Architecture |
| 5.2 - Building and construction |
| 5.3 - Urban, rural and regional planning |
| 6 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) |
|---|
| 6.1 - ICT practitioners |
| 6.2 - ICT for users |
| 7 - Retail and Commercial Enterprise |
|---|
| 7.1 - Retailing and wholesaling |
| 7.2 - Warehousing and distribution |
| 7.3 - Service enterprises |
| 7.4 - Hospitality and catering |
| 8 - Leisure, Travel and Tourism |
|---|
| 8.1 - Sport, leisure and recreation |
| 8.2 - Travel and tourism |
| 9 - Arts, Media and Publishing |
|---|
| 9.1 - Performing arts |
| 9.2 - Crafts, creative arts and design |
| 9.3 - Media and communication |
| 9.4 - Publishing and information services |
| 10 - History, Philosophy and Theology |
|---|
| 10.1 - History |
| 10.2 - Archaeology and archaeological sciences |
| 10.3 - Philosophy |
| 10.4 - Theology and religious studies |
| 11 - Social Sciences |
|---|
| 11.1 - Geography |
| 11.2 - Sociology and social policy |
| 11.3 - Politics |
| 11.4 - Economics |
| 11.5 - Anthropology |
| 12 - Languages, Literature and Culture |
|---|
| 12.1 - Languages, literature and culture of the British isles |
| 12.2 - Other languages, literature and culture |
| 12.3 - Linguistics |
| 13 - Education and Training |
|---|
| 13.1 - Teaching and lecturing |
| 13.2 - Direct learning support |
| 14 - Preparation for Life and Work |
|---|
| 14.1 - Foundations for learning and life |
| 14.2 - Preparation for work |
| 15 - Business, Administration, Finance and Law |
|---|
| 15.1 - Accounting and finance |
| 15.2 - Administration |
| 15.3 - Business management |
| 15.4 - Marketing and sales |
| 15.5 - Law and legal services |