Awarding Bodies & Qualifications

ReadingTim wrote: »

The "Register of Regulated Qualifications" for England can be found here - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have similar. If it ain't on the list, it ain't a recognised qualification..!

As to whether to put it on your CV, I think it depends on the audience. If it's specific to the job and might mean something to the reader, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd stick to recognised academic qualification (GCSE, A-Levels etc) or equivalent but not really below - it seems a little mickey mouse, like saying you've got your 25 meter swimming badge. Until you've reached (say) GCSE level, I'd stick it in interests or skills (ie "I enjoy swimming", or "language skills - basic conversational Spanish").

The exception might be if you've passed the basic/entry level and are studying your way up - evidence of sticking with something, success and progression are always useful.

Thanks... really useful. As it happens, the awarding body is shown on the link you've given. And the point about it being a Mickey Mouse qualification is the sort of feedback I was (or wasn't!) hoping to hear.

I want to study (for career and lifestyle reasons) but at this stage I can't commit the time to a more recognised course such as a GCSE. That said, I don't want to waste my time with something that either isn't recognised or will simply be laughed at if I try and use it as evidence of learning.

andydownes123 wrote: »

Entry level 3 is low...students who really struggle academically go on these types of qualifications.

Next up is Level 1 - this is still low and considered less than a GCSE. Anybody who can't get more then Es and Fs (in old money) usually go on these levels. Level 1 need support in many cases.

Level 2 - equivelent to GCSE levels. Award low, Cert is better (only three units though so not much) Diploma is the full one. Students who are hovering in the D catagory (especially for English and Maths) usually go in here.

Level 3 - A levels. Students with a good clutch of Cs including Eng and Maths are suitable for these. Three-four A-levels will give you enough UCAS points for a uni place.

Level 4 - First year of uni

Level 5 - 2nd year

Level 6 - 3rd year

Level 7 - Masters

Above - PhD.

Many levels are subdivided into 'Award', 'Certificate' and 'Diploma' and 'Extended Diploma'. Each has an increase in complexity and the amount of units to complete.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I haven't studied for many years, my free time is minimal, and Spanish is entirely new to me. That's why I'm fine with starting at Entry Level 3 and to progress from there While the end result is most important (for me, learning some of the basics of Spanish) - it would be nice to think that I am studying a bonafide qualification rather than something that in the real world no one would recognise if I used it to embellish a CV.

For example, a colleague who is a former teacher with 20+ years's state school experience did an online 180 hour TEFL course. While it showed him some of the basics of teaching those who don't speak English as their first language, in the real world the so-called 'qualification' was meaningless and no language school would take him on - despite him actually being a very experienced teacher. The course he'd paid for was essentially worthless in the real world - that's what I'm trying to avoid.

Wyndham wrote: »

I'm not clear why you want to do this. Is it because you hope it will enhance your job prospects, or just for fun.

If to enhance your job prospects, then yes, look at a different type of course that will be considered seriously in the field. If only for fun, then does it really matter? In that case surely the course itself is the reason for doing it, and the certificate at the end can be almost considered an extra.

Thanks. The company I work for has a base in Madrid and they offer 6-18 month attachments. I am very interested in applying however the competition is fierce (the company has several hundred employees) and they take qualifications, learning, etc into account when looking at who to offer placements to.