AVCE - Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education

• GNVQs are designed to give students knowledge and understanding of a vocational area or subject.
• Foundation, Intermediate and Part One GNVQs are being replaced by Vocational GCSEs from September 2002 to give you a wider choice, as well as giving you a widely recognised qualification.
• Vocational A Levels (also known as AVCEs - Advanced Vocational Certificates of Education) replaced Advanced GNVQs in September 2000.
• Vocational A Levels emphasise knowledge, skills and understanding in broad vocational areas and focus on investigative work and assignment writing. They also encourage links with employers and working as part of a team.
• You can take Vocational A Levels in Art & Design; Business; Construction & the Built Environment; Engineering; Health & Social Care; Hospitality & Catering; ICT; Leisure & Recreation; Manufacturing; Media (Communication & Production); Performing Arts; Retail & Distributive Services (six-unit only); Science and Travel & Tourism.

• Vocational A Levels are graded A-E to so they can be easily compared to regular A Levels.
• Two-thirds of the work is internally assessed and externally moderated.
• The basic qualification is the 6-unit Vocational A Level, equivalent to one regular A Level.
• There is also a 12-unit double award (equivalent to two A Levels), and a 3-unit award in Business, Engineering, Health & Social Care and ICT (equivalent to one AS level).

• Students taking Vocational A Levels have a good chance of getting a University or Higher Education (HE) place.
• The latest available figures (which relate to the Advanced GNVQ) show that 95% of applicants were offered an HE place.
• Employers also really value the practical skills, as well as other qualities you will acquire, like self-reliance and adaptability.

• Talk to your teachers who can help you register, or if you're moving to a new college, check what Vocational A Levels they offer and apply direct to the college.

• It might seem confusing if the subject you want to study is available at A Level and Vocational A Level.
• The main difference will be how the course is studied and assessed.
• Vocational A Levels are more work related and involve much more assessment by your college, rather than an exam-board.

Courses