New Framework Levels Upgrade Signature Qualifications

Added on 16 June 2010

We are currently going through the process of accrediting our Level 4 qualifications to the Qualifications and Credit Framework. Part of the process is an assessment of each qualification to determine at which level of the framework it should sit.

The Qualifications Regulator has recently allocated new levels to NVQ qualifications on the QCF, which recognises these qualifications more precisely and compares them directly to qualifications offered by universities. The framework has eight qualification levels (above Entry Level), compared with the 5 levels used for NVQs until now.

• Levels 1, 2 and 3 stay the same.
• Level 4 is split into three levels: Levels 4, 5 and 6.
• Level 5 was split into two levels: Levels 7 and 8.

Our Level 4 NVQ in BSL/ISL, and Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting (BSL/English) have been assessed as equivalent to an honours degree. That means that although the content of the qualifications stays the same they have been allocated to Level 6 of the revised framework.

The new qualifications titles are:

• Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in BSL
• Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in ISL
• Signature Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting

Learners who achieve Signature Level 3 NVQ Certificate in BSL/ISL can progress directly to the next level as they have always done. From 1 Sept 2010 the next step is Level 6 NVQ Certificate in BSL/ISL. It is the same as the step from A-Levels to Degree.

Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in BSL has been accredited to the QCF (Qualification Reference 500/9581/X). It is available for teaching from 01/09/2010.

Training days

There is a training day available for teachers delivering the Level 6 NVQ Certificate in BSL. Level 6 NVQ Certificate in BSL Qualification Specification/Portfolio Building Training for Teachers is held on the 18 August in Birmingham. If you are interested and wish to book a place, please click here.