What are your options? 

• Entry Level Courses
  Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.
• Level 1 Courses (e.g. Diploma in Vocational Studies)
  Level 1 qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.
• Level 2 Courses (e.g. Level 2 BTEC Diploma)
  Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles
• Level 3 Courses (e.g. Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma)
  Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.
• Access Courses (Level 3)
  Access courses are designed for individuals returning to study who wish to progress to study at Higher Education level, such as Foundation Degrees.
• Apprenticeships (and advanced apprenticeships)
  Apprenticeships are for those who want to train whilst in employment. Trained at your employer’s workplace gaining hands-on experience in your chosen career, and attend college on a day or block release basis.
• Level 5 Courses (e.g. Foundation Degree)
  Level 5 qualifications recognise the ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study to enable the formulation of solutions and responses to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high levels of knowledge, a high level of work expertise in job roles and competence in managing and training others. Qualifications at this level are appropriate for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers. Level 5 qualifications are at a level equivalent to intermediate Higher Education qualifications such as Diplomas of Higher Education, Foundation and other degrees that do not typically provide access to postgraduate programmes.
• Short Courses
  Covering a vast range of training areas, short courses are usually between one and five days long. Their purpose is to develop the understanding of a particular activity so to improve the skills of the learner and benefit their employer.