What qualification levels mean
Overview
Most qualifications have a difficulty level. The higher the level, the more difficult the qualification is.
If you need to know the level of a qualification, you can:
- see a list of qualification levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- use the Register of Regulated Qualifications - if you know the name of the qualification and the exam board that runs it
- compare qualification levels from other countries
Qualifications at the same level sometimes cover different amounts of the same subject.
Example
AS levels and A levels are both level 3, but you study AS levels over 1 year and A levels over 2 years. So you learn more about the subject at A level.
Help
Contact the National Careers Service for advice about qualification levels if you’re in England.
For the rest of the UK, contact: