Levels Explained

Confused about your grades? Not sure what your study options are? Check out the 'levels explained' guide below for answers.

Let's Talk Levels

It can be hard to know which course and what level to start on. We have a course for everyone, regardless of your current grades, ability or ambitions. Not sure what level you can study? Read our Levels Explained guide to find out what your qualifications mean and what the next level of progression is for you.

Entry Level

Entry Requirements: There are no formal qualifications required. Entry level is suitable for people who don’t have any previous qualifications.

What are Entry Level qualifications?

Entry level award, certificate or diploma
Entry level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Entry level Essential Skills or entry level Functional Skills
Skills for Life

Level 1

Entry Requirements: At Carlisle College, you can typically study a Level 1 subject if you hold GCSEs at grades 2-1 (E-F), Entry Level qualifications, or Scottish equivalent e.g. National 3.

What are Level 1 qualifications?

First Certificate
GCSE grades 3,2,1 or grades D, E, F, G
Level 1 awards, certificate or diploma
Level 1 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Level 1 Essential Skills or Level 1 Functional Skills

Level 1 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Level 2

Entry Requirements: At Carlisle College, you can typically study a Level 2 subject if you hold four GCSEs at grade 3 (D) or above including English and maths, a Level 1 vocational qualification in maths and English or Scottish equivalent e.g. four National 4 certificates, Intermediate 1 or National 5 at grade D, including maths and English.

What are Level 2 qualifications?

GCSE grades 9,8,7,6,5,4 or A*, A, B, C
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 2 award, certificate or diploma
Level 2 Extended Certificate
Level 2 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Level 2 Essential Skills or Level 2 Functional Skills
Level 2 National Certificate or Level 2 National Diploma
Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
GCE O-Levels grade A, B or C

Level 3

Entry Requirements: At Carlisle College, you can typically study a Level 3 subject if you hold 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English and maths, a Level 2 vocational qualification in English and maths or Scottish equivalent e.g. Five National 5 Certificates, at grade A-C or Intermediate 2 grade A-C including English and maths.

What are Level 3 qualifications?

AS Level
GCE A-Level
Access to Higher Education
Advanced Apprenticeship
International baccalaureate diploma
Level 3 award, certificate or diploma
Level 3 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Level 3 National Certificate or Level 3 National Diploma
Level 3 National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ)

Level 4 and Level 5

At Carlisle College you can study a Foundation Degree, achieving a Level 4 and Level 5 qualification over two years.

Entry Requirements: You can typically study a Level 4 or HNC qualification if you currently hold a Level 3 Extended Diploma at Merit or Distinction, or two A-Levels at grades A*-C and GCSE English at A*-C (9-4) (maths may be required for some subjects).

You can typically study a Level 5 or HND qualification if you hold a Level 4 or HNC at Merit or Distinction. At Carlisle College, we prefer 64 UCAS tariff points.

What are Level 4 qualifications?

CertHE – Certificate of Higher Education
Higher Apprenticeship
HNC – Higher National Certificate
Level 4 award, certificate or diploma

Level 4 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

What are Level 5 qualifications?

DipHE – Diploma of Higher Education
Foundation Degree
HND – Higher National Diploma
Level 5 award, certificate or diploma
Level 5 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Apprenticeships

Level 2 Apprenticeships - Maths & English GCSE grade 3/D, functional skills level 1 or equivalent

Level 3+ Apprenticeships - Maths & English GCSE grade 4/C, functional skills level 2 or equivalent