for employers

Academic Qualifications

The range of qualifications graduates have and how they can contribute to your company can sometimes be confusing. This section will help explain those qualifications and outline the skills you can expect of graduates.

We've put together a handy table to help you understand what academic qualifications mean:

Click on the image to enlarge

test

 

International Qualifications

It is likely that you will receive applications from international students or graduates.  To study in the UK the majority of courses require international students to demonstrate an acceptable level of both written and spoken English.  This level is normally assessed by language tests, the most common of which are the International English Language Testing System (ILETS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  These tests measure the ability to communicate in English across all four language skills listening, reading, writing and speaking for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.  The ILETS scores are from 0 (no original English used) to 9 (expert), it is common for Universities to request international students to have a score of between 5.5 and 7.0 when embarking on an undergraduate course. For more information about ILETS http://www.ielts.org/

TOEFL scores are more complicated to define and it is best to refer to the official website for further information about their scoring policy TOEFL http://www.toefl.eu/

For a full list of the entire different language tests available please see http://www.ucas.com/students/nonukstudents/englangprof

 

The Diploma

The Diploma is a new qualification for 14 to 19 year-olds, it first introduced in England in 2008. It offers young people a more practical, hands-on way of gaining the essential skills employers and universities look for.  It is an alternative to the traditional GCSE or A level route. Students who choose to do a Diploma can do it instead of GCSEs or A levels, or include some GCSEs and A levels in their Diploma programme. 

What are Diplomas worth?

A Foundation Diploma is the same as 5 GCSEs at grades D - G
The Higher Diploma is the same as 7 GCSEs at grades A* - C
The Advanced Diploma is the same as 3.5 A levels

For more information about the Diploma:

http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/ - student/parent/teacher/employers advice.