More Alternative Qualifications

Alternative Qualifications

What can I do?

Alternative Qualifications

Alternative qualifications and courses to the 'mainstream' GCSEs, IGCSEs and A-levels are anything which students might use as a way of gaining recognition for their learning outside of traditional academic exams.

Alternative qualifications have been roughly grouped in three sections: Alternative Academic Qualifications & Curricula, Vocational qualifications and courses (listed by subject area) and Community/ Life skills awards

WARNING ABOUT ALTERNATIVE QUALIFICATIONS:

DO NOT RELY ON ANY QUALIFICATION BEING ACCEPTED AS 'EQUIVALENT TO' GCSES OR A LEVELS to fulfil the entry requirements for a course or job, unless you have had direct confirmation from the college, university or employer you're considering. Some course providers, curriculum providers etc may suggest that their qualification is "equivalent to" mainstream qualifications, but in practice there may be only a few institutions which will treat it as such. An alternative qualification might be great for your CV, and a good way to structure your learning - but if you want it to do more than that, check first.

This list is not by any means infinite and if you find more which may help others do email using the button on the Links page and send in the link to be added to the various pages.

Other Alternatives and useful Websites

Functional Skills - English, Maths and ICT

See various exam boards. Most popular is Pearson

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-functional-skills.html

MOOCS

https://www.mooc-list.com/

Future Learn

https://www.futurelearn.com/

Open University

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

Alison

https://alison.com/

Udemy

https://www.udemy.com/

Coursera

https://www.coursera.org/

Khan

https://www.khanacademy.org/

Trinty - Music and Performance

https://www.openstudycollege.com/

Ed X

https://www.edx.org/subjects

Arts Award

https://www.artsaward.org.uk/site/?id=64

CREST Science

https://www.crestawards.org/

RSL

https://www.rslawards.com/

LAMDA

https://www.lamda.ac.uk/

ECDL

http://ecdl.org/

LCM

https://www.uwl.ac.uk/academic-schools/music

Music Diplomas

Volunteering/practical Opportunities

Young Commissioners

Youth opportunities for becoming involved in developing local services. Search for your local council pages or Youth Connexions.
Reading Hack
https://readinghack.org.uk/
Library Services volunteering
Search your local library services online for volunteer opportunities. National schemes include volunteering to help staff the Summer Reading Challenge (14+)

BRS

https://brs.org.uk/course/foundation-course/