National Vocational Qualification


National Vocational Qualifications were practical work-based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. The regulatory framework supporting NVQs was withdrawn in 2015 and replaced by the Regulated Qualifications Framework, although the term "NVQ" may be used in RQF qualifications if they "are based on recognised occupational standards, work-based and/or simulated work-based assessment and where they confer occupational competence".
As the NVQ were based on a student's practical skills, it was completed in the workplace and not in the classroom. The NVQ was assessed through building up a portfolio of evidence based on the student's professional experience. At the end of the NVQ, the student would also undergo two final practical assessments, during which an NVQ assessor will observe and ask questions.
To achieve an NVQ, candidates had to prove that they had the ability to carry out their job to the required standard. NVQs were based upon meeting National Occupational Standards which described the "competencies" expected in any given job role.
NVQ's were not awarded by Pass or Fail: instead the NVQ grading criteria was either awarding a successful ‘Competent’ award. Alternatively, if further work needed completing, the student would receive a ‘Not Yet Competent’. Typically, candidates worked towards an NVQ that reflected their role in a paid or voluntary position. For example, someone working in an admin office role may take an NVQ in Business and Administration.
There were five levels of NVQ ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior management.
Although NVQ's such as a NVQ Level 3 can be roughly translated as being at the same level as a GCE Advanced Level or BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, in terms of depth and vigor of study, the NVQ cannot be compared with other academic qualifications at the same level, i.e. GCE Advanced Levels and the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. For this reason, the NVQ Level 3 does not attract UCAS points and cannot be used for university admission.
In Scotland the approximately equivalent qualification is the Scottish Vocational Qualification.

Levels

NVQs are competence-based qualifications. The five levels of NVQ are defined as having the following competencies:

Equivalents published by the UK government

lists the equivalents for academic qualifications between the Regulated Qualifications Framework and the framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
RQF/FHEQ LevelNVQ levelRQF examplesFHEQ examples
Entry
11
22
33
44
54
64
75
85Doctorate

Research by the London School of Economics

NVQs are not formally defined in terms of equivalence to conventional academic qualifications. However, for the compilation of social statistics and other purposes, approximate equivalences have to be established. The following equivalences are used by the London School of Economics's Research Lab
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City and Guilds

Licentiateship sits on level 4 of the National Qualifications Framework, and is therefore comparable to lower NVQ level 4. Both Graduateship and Associateship are at level six of the National Qualifications Framework, compared by OFQUAL to the highest category NVQs of level 4. Membership is placed on NQF level 7, and Fellowship on level 8, compared by OFQUAL to NVQs of level 5. City & Guilds itself ties each NVQ to the level on the NQF with the same number.
Both Graduateship and Associateship have been awarded, before the year 2004, at level 5 of NVQ.

Classifications

The NVQ Framework classifies the economy into the following areas: