International qualifications 2013 (pdf) - CUKAS

Appendix A – International examinations of UK awarding bodies
BTEC level 2 First Certificates, Extended Certificates and
Diplomas
BTEC level 2 First Certificates, Extended Certificates and
Diplomas are unit-based awards that assess a student’s ability
to apply knowledge and understanding to practical, real-life
situations. Each unit is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction and
students must pass every unit in order to achieve the award,
although students who have not completed the full suite of
units are still eligible to transfer credits as appropriate.
BTEC level 3 National Certificates, National Subsidiary
Diplomas, National Diplomas and Extended National Diplomas
BTEC level 3 National Certificates, National Subsidiary Diplomas,
National Diplomas and Extended National Diplomas are unitbased
awards that assess a student’s ability to apply knowledge
and understanding to practical, real-life situations. Each unit is
graded Pass, Merit or Distinction and students must pass every
unit in order to achieve the award, although students who have
not completed the full suite of units are still eligible to transfer
credits as appropriate.
BTEC National courses are accepted as equivalent to GCE
Advanced qualifications by UK HEIs, and as such, allow students
to enter the first year of undergraduate programmes.
BTEC HNC Diploma and HND Diplomas
BTEC HNC Diplomas and HND Diplomas are advanced unit-based
awards that assess a student’s ability to apply knowledge and
understanding to practical, real-life situations. Each unit is graded
Pass, Merit or Distinction and students must pass every unit in
order to achieve the award, although students who have not
completed the full suite of units are still eligible to transfer credits
as appropriate.
BTEC HND Diploma courses are accepted by many HEIs as
equivalent to the first two years of study of a degree course.
ICCE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION
Qualification Abbreviation:
ICCE
Background:
The ICCE provides qualifications for pupils who use the
Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) programme in
independent faith-based schools and home schools. ICCE
Advanced Certificate is accepted by many universities for
undergraduate entry. A UK NARIC assessment in 2011 carried
out in both school and home school environments stated that
the General Certificate can be considered comparable to
Cambridge International Examinations O levels and the
Advanced Certificate can be considered comparable to
Cambridge International Examinations A levels.
Since September 2004, the ICCE has replaced the National
Christian Schools’ Certificate (NCSC). The curriculum content and
standard have been enhanced by coursework at the four highest
levels.
Date Of First Award:
2005
Number Of Units And Structure:
ICCE Foundation = 7.5 credits
ICCE Vocational = 16 credits
ICCE General = 16 credits plus coursework
ICCE Intermediate = 23 credits plus coursework
ICCE Advanced = 29 credits plus coursework
ICCE Advanced Plus = 34 credits plus coursework
Assessment Method:
By unit tests, essays and practical science projects, all externally
moderated (80% internal, 20% external).
Examination Timing:
Throughout the year
Date Of Result Publication:
Throughout the year
GRADING SYSTEM:
A* 100%–98%
A 97.99%–96%
B 95.99%–92%
C 91.99%–88%
D 87.99%–84%
E 83.99%–80%
Fail below 80%
Quality Assurance:
All unit tests are moderated by internal trained moderators and
verified by external moderation. Schools are vetted by an annual
assessment visit. Home educated pupils are required to submit all
tests annually for external moderation.
Progression/Articulation:
Students complete each level of the certification programme over
a period of, typically, five years. Pupils must complete the lower
certificates before proceeding to the next. The credits are
accumulative.
NCC EDUCATION
NCC Education is a global provider of British higher education
and a recognised UK awarding body. NCC Education has been
providing programmes in business and IT, ranging from
foundation to master’s level, since 1966. Today students are
able to study for qualifications at one of over 200 Accredited
Partner Centres, either in their home country or in the UK.
NCC Education level 3 Diploma in Business (L3DB)
An introduction to business which equips students with the
necessary skills for entry to NCC Education’s level 4 Diploma in
Business programme. The level 3 Diploma in Business (L3DB)
provides students with a broad but secure foundation in the
fundamental concepts of business, effective and practical IT
skills and the essential study skills necessary to succeed at
undergraduate level study.
The programme consists of five compulsory modules as
follows: Study and Communication Skills, Mathematical
Techniques, IT Skills, Introduction to Business, Introduction to
Accounting and Economics. Students must pass all five
compulsory modules to be awarded the qualification. Assessed
by assignment and examination. Awarded by NCC Education.
NCC Education International Foundation Year (IFY)
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3
A one-year programme for speakers of English as a foreign
language who are seeking entrance to a university bachelor’s
programme or the NCC Education level 4 Diplomas in
Business, Computing or Business IT. The programme covers
English language, study skills, mathematical techniques, culture
INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 71