The A-level (short for Advanced Level), is a qualification taken by students, usually after completing their GCSEs. The qualification consists of two parts, the AS and A2.

Apprenticeships are a structured programme of work-based training and education for a wide range of occupations. Becoming an Apprentice allows learners to work for an employer, learn on the job, build up knowledge and skills, gain a recognised qualification - all whilst earning a wage.

A first (or Bachelor's) degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course that generally lasts for three, four, and in some cases, five years. Qualifications include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Surgery (BCh).

BTECs (Business & Technology Education Council) are nationally recognised qualifications available in a wide variety of vocational subjects. And there are a number of different levels of courses. Read on the following article and get more information.

Entry level is the first level in the national qualifications framework, and is pitched below grade G of a GCSE, NVQ level 1 or vocational qualifications at level 1. The level is divided into three sub-levels: entry 1, entry 2 and entry 3, broadly equivalent to Keys Stages 1, 2 and 3.

Foundation Degrees are vocational qualifications that sit at a level between the Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor degrees. They are designed to integrate academic and work-based learning, giving the learner a foundation in a subject that will enable them to go on to employment in that field.

Postgraduate education is available to any student who has obtained a good undergraduate degree. The courses tend to be divided into those that are mainly taught and those that are research based. The majority of programmes are designed to enable students to undertake study or research in their subject at a deeper level than is offered at undergraduate level.

Level 4, 5 & 6 qualifications includes those taken at Higher Education institutes and some Further Education colleges. More details please read on the following article.

Key Skills Qualifications are designed to offer students the chance to learn skills commonly required for success in a range of activities in education, training, work and life in general. Learners are encouraged to recognise and develop their ability to apply these skills in ways that are appropriate to different contexts, in order to improve the quality of performance and learning.

Postgraduate masters in the UK can either be 'taught' degrees, involving lectures, examination and a short dissertation, or 'research' degrees, which involve the production of a thesis after a period of research. Both types of programme usually involve 1 or 2 years of intensive and demanding full-time study.

A National Vocational Qualification, or NVQ, is a certificate of vocational education that reflects the skills and knowledge required to do a job effectively, and shows that a candidate is competent in a particular area of work.

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.

Doctor of Philosophy (usually known as PhD - an abbreviation for the Latin 'Philosophiæ Doctor' or 'Teacher of Philosophy'), was originally a degree granted by a university to learned individuals who had demonstrated a long and productive career in the field of philosophy and had achieved the approval of their peers.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a one-year programme of study for students who hold an undergraduate degree. The course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which enables students to become a teacher in maintained (state or local authority) schools.