What Are Vocational Qualifications and Where Can You Earn Them?

Whether you want to be an accountant or plumber, vocational qualifications are available for your chosen career. Qualifications include apprenticeships, certificates, degrees, and diplomas. In this article, we’ll cover what vocational qualifications are, the types of vocational qualifications, and the time commitment to complete your education. 

What are vocational qualifications?

Vocational qualifications are programmes related to specific jobs or employment sectors. Qualifications range from entry-level to level 8, the doctorate level. Individuals completing vocational qualifications may also progress onto further or higher education programmes such as a university degree. When deciding which vocational qualification is for you, you’ll want to think about your career goals, the amount of time you have to devote to study, and your budget. 

How do hours translate to credits?

Vocational qualifications are earned in units with credit values that predict how long it takes to complete the qualification or certificate. Every credit equals 10 hours of education. If an award requires 12 credits, a student will spend 120 hours to complete their qualification. If a diploma requires 37 credits, it will take a student 370 hours to finish it. 

What are the levels of vocational qualifications?

Generally, the certificate level indicates a level of knowledge and skill. For instance, a level 3 certification is considered entry-level, while a level 7 is the same level as an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree. 

For instance, a higher-level apprenticeship is a level 4 qualification, equivalent to a higher-level certificate. 

Here are a few of the levels of vocational qualifications:

• Level 3: A levels, advanced apprenticeship

• Level 4: Higher apprenticeship, certificate of higher education, higher national certificate 

• Level 5: Foundation degree, HND

• Level 6: Bachelor’s degree, degree apprenticeship 

• Level 7: Master’s degree, postgraduate diploma 

What are the types of vocational qualifications?

The three types of vocational qualifications are vocational subjects, vocational courses, and apprenticeships.

• Vocational subjects are broad areas of study such as business engineering, health, IT, or social care. You'll gain practical knowledge primarily in a classroom setting.

• Vocational courses are specific to one job, such as plumbing, hairdressing, or automotive repair. Most of your learning will take place in a real-world setting where you will gain practical experience. 

• Apprenticeships are for on-the-job training where you earn money while learning new skills. You'll spend most of your time at a work site and some time in a classroom setting. These qualifications take one to four years to complete, and employers often offer candidates a job offer when the apprenticeship is complete.

How do apprenticeships differ?

Apprenticeships are a paid form of education. You’re getting on-the-job training whilst also benefiting from classroom learning. The minimum age to do an apprenticeship is 16, and opportunities are available from entry-level to level 7 (master’s degree) [1]. Career fields include:

• Agriculture, environmental, and animal care

• Business and administration

• Care services

• Catering and hospitality

• Construction and the built environment

• Creative and design

• Digital

• Education and early years

• Engineering and manufacturing

• Hair and beauty

• Health and science

• Legal, finance, and accounting

• Protective services

• Sales, marketing, and procurement

• Transport and logistics

Apprenticeship wages

Minimum apprenticeship hourly pay rates for the first year are £7.55, regardless of age, beginning April 2025. At 19 and after the first year of your apprenticeship, you are entitled to the national minimum wage of £8.60 [2]. Care leavers who start their apprenticeship after 1 August 2023 get a bonus of £3,000 bursary paid in installments to help with expenses during the first year of the apprenticeship [3]. 

Vocational qualifications statistics

The UK government keeps statistics on vocational qualifications. One key piece of data is the number of people taking career or higher education after leaving school. Between April and June 2024, only 12.2 percent of individuals from 16 to 24 were not in education, employment, or training [4]. The following statistics from October to December (quarter 4) 2022 can give you an idea of the number of students who pursue vocational qualifications in the UK [5]:

• Certificates awarded: 795,000, which represents a 2 percent increase from quarter 4 of 2021

• Qualification type: Occupational qualifications saw the largest increase at 17 percent, while other life skills qualifications saw the largest decrease at 20 percent

• Qualification level: Level 2 qualifications saw the largest increase at 2 percent, while Level 6 saw the sharpest decrease at 18 percent

• Subject area: Health, public services, and care certificates recorded the largest increase at 5 percent, while the largest decrease in certificates was in the retail and commercial enterprise sector at 9 percent.

• The highest number of certificates were awarded in Emergency First Aid at Work

Mix and match coursework

Studying for vocational qualifications doesn’t mean skipping more traditional forms of higher education. You can mix practical and A-level courses in a variety of ways. When signing up for a learning programme, discuss the career path you want to pursue. Then, you can create a long-term strategy for balancing exams and vocational skills.

Next steps

If you are considering a vocational qualification, why not update some of your workplace and technical skills? The Google IT Support Professional Certificate gives you useful technical skills to take into any job role. The University of Pennsylvania offers a course on Improving Communication Skills, which you can complete on Coursera.