A levels

Vocational A levels are designed to help students develop up-to-date knowledge and skills that will be relevant when they enter work. They were first offered as part of the mainstream A-level curriculum in 2000, replacing the Advanced GNVQ. Students are assessed by a mixture of coursework (2/3rds) and examination (1/3rd).

Vocational A levels offer the following unit options:

• 3 units equivalent to 1 standard AS level
  
  
• 6 units equivalent to 1 standard A level
  
  
• 12 units equivalent to 2 standard A levels

Vocational A level students:

• find out about what people do at work
  
  
• use workplace case studies and authentic business documents
  
  
• undertake project work developed with local businesses
  
  
• visit companies and undertake a work experience placement
  
  
• have the opportunity to study key skills as part of their vocational A-level programme.

Metals employers will particularly value vocational A-level passes in: Business, Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering, ICT, Manufacturing and Science.