Scotland

Modern Apprenticeships:

Modern apprenticeships are aimed at students over the age of 16. Some employers require candidates to have 3 or more national 4s while others do not have any entry requirements. Modern apprenticeships are available on SCFQ levels 5-7. Apprentices will complete either an SVQ level 2 or an SVQ level 3 and may receive some industry specific training or core skills training. Modern apprenticeships are the equivalent of either National 5s, Highers or Advanced Highers depending on the level and the programme structure.

Technical Apprenticeships:

Technical Apprenticeships are aimed at students over the age of 18, who have completed highers or a modern apprenticeship. They are available at SCQF Levels 8 and 9.  Apprentices will complete an SVQ Level 4 and may receive some industry specific training or core skills training. Technical Apprenticeships are the equivalent of Higher National Diplomas, Diplomas of Higher Education or ordinary degrees, depending on the level and the programme structure.

Professional Apprenticeships:

Professional apprenticeships are aimed at students who have completed highers and advanced highers, or a technical apprenticeship. They are available at SCQF Levels 10 to 12. Apprentices will complete an SVQ Level 5 and may receive some industry specific training or core skills training. Professional apprenticeships are the equivalent of an Honours or Master’s Degree, depending on the level and the programme structure.

Wales

Foundation Apprenticeships:

Students can apply for foundation apprenticeships in their final year of GCSEs, when they would usually apply for college. Foundation apprenticeships are aimed at students who do not achieve the 5 GCSEs required to do an apprenticeship. Some employers will require 2 passes at GCSE whereas others will not require any previous qualifications.

Foundation apprenticeships will be composed of some of the following qualifications:

• NVQ level 2- Equivalent to 5 A*-C grade GCSEs.
• BTEC First - Equivalent to between 1 and 4 A*-C grade GCSEs.
• Cambridge National Certificate- Equivalent to 1 A*-C grade GCSE.
• Maths or English GCSE (where the apprentice does not have a C grade or higher in these subjects).

Almost every foundation apprenticeship will include the NVQ level 2 and wherever the apprentice does not have a C grade or higher in their Maths or English GCSE, their apprenticeship will also include these qualifications. The other qualifications listed may be included on top of this. This means that, at the very least, intermediate apprentices will gain 7 good GCSEs upon completion of the programme. Following this, they could go on to an apprenticeship or a college course.

Apprenticeships:

Students can apply for  apprenticeships in the last year of school, when they would usually apply for college. The entry requirements for most apprenticeships are 5 “good” GCSEs (A*-C grade).

Apprenticeships will be composed of some of the following qualifications:

• NVQ level 3- Equivalent to 2 A Levels.
• BTEC National- Equivalent to between 1 and 3 A Levels.
• Cambridge Technical Certificate- Equivalent to between 1 and 3 A Levels.
• EPQ- Equivalent to ½ an A Level.
• An A Level in a related subject.

Almost all a apprenticeships will include a level 3 NVQ and many will also offer candidates the chance to complete one or more of the other qualifications listed above. This means that apprentices will have at least 2 A Levels on completion of their programme. Following this they could go on to a higher apprenticeship, a vocational degree course or to work full-time.

Higher Apprenticeships:

Higher apprenticeships are available on levels 4 and 5, meaning they are equivalent to anything from a foundation degree to a master’s degree. This means that students should apply for them after college, an advanced apprenticeship or university. Entry requirements differ hugely but most will require 2 A Levels or equivalent.  

Higher apprenticeships will be composed of some of the following qualifications:

• NVQ level 4 or 5.
• BTEC Professional.
• Foundation Degree.

The qualifications higher apprenticeships offer do not have any tangible equivalents. However, they can be deemed roughly equivalent to a foundation degree.

Northern Ireland

Level 2 Apprenticeships:

Level 2 apprenticeships are aimed at students aged 16 and over and are roughly equivalent to GCSEs grade A*-C. Each apprenticeship framework will include some of the following qualifications:

• NVQ level 2- Equivalent to 5 A*-C grade GCSEs.
• BTEC First - Equivalent to between 1 and 4 A*-C grade GCSEs.
• Cambridge National Certificate- Equivalent to 1 A*-C grade GCSE.
• Maths or English GCSE (where the apprentice does not have a C grade or higher in these subjects).

Following a level 2 apprenticeship, students can go on to do a level 3 apprenticeship or a college course.

Level 3 Apprenticeships:

Level 3 apprenticeships are aimed at students over the age of 16 and are roughly equivalent to A Levels. Each apprenticeship framework will include some of the following qualifications:

• NVQ level 3- Equivalent to 2 A Levels.
• BTEC National- Equivalent to between 1 and 3 A Levels.
• Cambridge Technical Certificate- Equivalent to between 1 and 3 A Levels.
• EPQ- Equivalent to ½ an A Level.
• An A Level in a related subject.

Flowing a level 3 apprenticeship, students can go on to a higher apprenticeship, a vocational university course or to work full-time.

Higher Apprenticeships Pilot:

Currently, there is a pilot higher apprenticeship scheme in Northern Ireland. There are 21 different courses to choose from, on educational levels 4-8. This means that higher apprenticeships are roughly equivalent to a foundation, bachelor’s or postgraduate degree. Each apprenticeship framework will include some of the following qualifications:

• NVQ level 4 or 5.
• BTEC Professional.
• Foundation or Bachelor’s Degree.