OCR Nationals are vocationally-related qualifications for students who want to develop skills and knowledge through work-related learning rather than through a traditional academic route.
OCR Nationals are vocationally-related qualifications for students who want to develop skills and knowledge through work-related learning rather than through a traditional academic route.
They may be taken full time or part time at levels 1-3 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and are one of the qualifications that may be taken in place of the recently withdrawn GNVQ.
OCR Nationals are available in a range of subject areas, including the following:
Business
Design
Health and Social Care
IT
Leisure and Tourism
Media
Public Services
Science
Sport
Travel and Tourism
There are a number of different levels of courses, including the following:
Level 1 OCR Nationals
Qualification
Units
Equivalent to:
First Award
4
1 GCSE (grades D - G)
Award
8
2 GCSEs (grades D - G)
Certificate
12
4 GCSEs (grades D - G)
Level 2 OCR Nationals
Qualification
Units
Equivalent to:
Certificate
6
4 GCSEs (grades A∗ - C)
Level 3 OCR Nationals
Qualification
Units
Equivalent to:
Certificate
6
1 A' Level
Diploma
12
2 A' Levels
Extended Diploma
18
3 A' Levels
Level 3 OCR Nationals can be taken as an alternative to A levels, providing a route into Higher Education. Each Level 3 qualification qualifies for UCAS points, as shown in the table below.
UCAS Points
Certificate
Diploma
Extended Diploma
360
D1
320
D2/M1
280
M2
240
D
M3
220
200
M1
P1
180
160
M2/P1
P2
140
120
D
P2
P3
110
100
90
80
M
P3
70
60
50
40
P
30
20
Key
P = Pass (divided into P1, P2 and P3 at Diploma level and above)
M = Merit (divided into M1 and M2 at Diploma level and above)
D = Distinction (divided into D1 and D2 at Extended Diploma level)
