Careers handbook

Part two of careers handbook

Part time
 This refers to working or studying fewer hours that a full time working week.

Full time
This refers to working a job or studying usually at least 30 hours a week.

GCSE
This is a qualification taken by high school students usually between the ages of 14 and 16. Each GCSE is taken in a specific subject and stand for general certificate of secondary education.. The qualification is internationally recognised  and is taken over two years. This qualification is equivalent to a level 2 and sits below the A level.

AS/A level
The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, or more commonly, the A Level, is a school leaving qualification offered by educational bodies to students completing secondary or pre-university education. Obtaining A-levels or equivalent qualifications is required for university entrance.
A Levels are generally worked towards over two years and split into two parts, with one part studied in each year. The first part is known as the Advanced Subsidiary Level, or AS Level. The second part is known as the A2 Level and is more in depth and academically rigorous than the AS Level. The AS Level is a qualification in its own right, and the AS Level combined with the A2 Level forms the complete A Level qualification. Obtaining A levels or equivalent qualifications is required for university entrance. I personally am studying 1 A level in sociology and have recently completed the AS level, I also have an AS level in IT.

Level 2,3 and 4
Level 4 :These qualifications recognise specialist learning and involve detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study. Learning at this level is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others. Level 4 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Certificates of Higher Education.
HNC
BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate
Level 4 Professional Diploma
Level 4 Professional Certificate
Level 4 Professional Award
Level 4 City and Guilds Institute Licentiateship
International Diploma in Computer Studies (IDCS) NCC Education UK.
C (Certificate)
Diploma
Certificate of Higher Education

Level 3: Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.
A Level
AS Level
Cambridge Technical L3 Certificate
Cambridge Technical L3 Introductory Diploma
Cambridge Technical L3 Subsidiary Diploma
Cambridge Technical L3 Diploma
Cambridge Technical L3 Extended Diploma
BTEC Level 3 Certificate
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma
BTEC Level 3 90-Credit Diploma
BTEC Level 3 Diploma
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Level 3 International Certificate in Computer Studies(ICCS) NCC Education UK.
level 3 cpd
Level 3 NVQ
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
Access to Higher Education Diploma

Level 2: Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.
GCSE at grades A*–C
Cambridge Technical L2 Certificate
Cambridge Technical L2 Extended Certificate
Cambridge Technical L2 Diploma
Cambridge National L2 Award
Cambridge National L2 Certificate
Cambridge National L2 Diploma
BTEC Level 2 Award
BTEC Level 2 Certificate
BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate
BTEC Level 2 Diploma
Level 2 DiDA
Level 2 CiDA
Level 2 NVQ

Pass, merit and distinction within BTEC:
These are the grades you can receive whilst taking a BTEC diploma course. Within the course I am taking, level 3 creative media, we can receive the above grades which are equivalent to certain A level grades. A pass is equivalent to an E grade, a merit is equivalent to a C grade and a distinction or distinction* are equivalent to an A or A* grade.

Vocational:
This type of qualification refers to work related learning in which you learn and complete course related to that area of work.

Bachelor of, Master of:
 Masters qualifications recognise highly developed, advanced and complex levels of knowledge which enable the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high level specialist professional knowledge and is appropriate for senior professionals and senior managers.
Bachelors degrees recognise a specialist high level knowledge of an area of work or study to enable the use of an individual’s own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the achievement of a high level of professional knowledge and is appropriate for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management positions. Often, registered professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, social workers, teachers and doctors enter their profession with a Bachelors degree.

Graduate:
 This refers to a person who has completed their degree and has therefore graduated.

Resume and cover letter