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05/08/2024

What are ASDAN qualifications equivalent to?

ASDAN offers courses to engage, elevate and empower young people with diverse needs. From pre-Entry Level modules to Level 3 qualifications, ASDAN offers a vast range of courses which can be tailored to suit the individual learner’s needs, personal interests and educational setting. 

What makes a qualification? 

All awarding organisations, including ASDAN, are required to say how much time a regulated qualifications will take a typical learner to complete. You sometimes see this shown as total qualifications time (TQT or guided learning hours (GLH).   

The GLH allocated to a qualification determines whether that qualification is described as an award, a certificate, an extended certificate or a diploma.  

As an approximate industry standard, an award is something you might complete in one year, a certificate or extended certificate are usually complete in two years, and a diploma can be completed in three years.  

However, ASDAN recognises that each young person’s learning journey looks different depending on their needs and abilities. Our qualifications are therefore designed to support learners working at their own pace and so the time frame may look very different depending on what best suits that learner and the ASDAN-registered setting delivering the qualification. 

ASDAN’s Level 3 qualifications 

According to the Department of Education, if a qualification has between 90-144 GLH and is at Level 3, it is considered to be equivalent to a third of an A Level. ASDAN’s Level 3 qualifications include: 

Level 3 qualifications with guided learning hours between 45-89 are considered to be equivalent to 20% of an A Level. This would include ASDAN’s: 

ASDAN’s Level 1 and 2 qualifications 

If a qualification has between 90-144 guided learning hours and is at Level 1 or 2, it is considered equivalent to one GCSE. If the guided learning hours are between 45-89, it is considered half a GCSE. ASDAN’s Level 1 and 2 qualifications include: 

ASDAN’s Entry Level qualifications 

We are proud to offer nationally recognised qualifications for learners working at Entry Level. Entry Level qualifications are suited to young people progressing to GCSEs. 

Although ASDAN’s Entry Level qualifications include awards, certificates, extended certificates and diplomas, they do not have a direct GCSE equivalency because they are not at Level 1 or 2.  

Different qualification levels, including the different Entry Levels, are distinguished by what a learner is expected to know and be able to do at that level. The knowledge and skill requirement gets progressively more complex the higher the level. 

ASDAN’s Entry Level qualifications include: 

Course progression for ASDAN short courses and programmes 

To complement our qualifications, we offer an array of engaging, interest-led short courses and programmes for learners of all abilities. ASDAN’s short courses and programmes support progression into regulated qualifications. 

ASDAN offers an alternative curriculum, with portfolio-based, practical courses designed to be flexible and empower young people to take control of their own learning experience.  

Not yet an ASDAN member? Find out which ASDAN membership would suit you and your young people. To find out more ASDAN qualifications, visit the qualifications membership page.  

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