QUALIFICATION LEVELS

Every qualification in England has a level; these are ordered by number, with the higher the level, the higher the difficulty and value.
Example: a Bachelor's degree at level six is more difficult and worth more than A Levels at level three.

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The general rule is that you require a certain number of and/or grades in one qualification level to progress upwards to the next level: the higher the level, the higher the entry requirements.
Example: you typically need at least five GCSEs at grades 4+ including in English Language and Mathematics (level two qualifications) to progress onto level three study. Likewise, higher education providers (e.g. universities) offer courses at levels four and above and, for this reason, will typically expect qualifications at level three study.

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If you do not achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics, you will resit these (if aged under 18) and may need to study a level two or below course; these are lower-level qualifications, meaning their entry requirements are typically lower.
Example: a Level 2 Business course may only require GCSEs at grades 3, whereas a Level 3 Business course may require GCSEs at grades 4 and above.

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The entry requirements for some level three courses might be higher than grade 4 and some specific subjects may also be necessary.
Example: grade 7 in GCSE Biology or 7-7 in GCSE Combined Science to study A Level Biology, or GCSE History grade 5 to study A Level History.

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Each provider (e.g. college, sixth form, university, apprenticeship training provider etc.) chooses their own entry requirements; for this reason, the same course may have different entry requirements at different providers.
Example: A Level Business requires GCSE Business at grade 4+ with one college, but does not require GCSE Business at all with another college.