Qualifications Explained

At Southern Regional College we develop our courses in collaboration with industry, giving you the skills and practical experience necessary to secure a place on a higher education course or pursue your dream job. You can choose from over 600 courses across many different subject areas with full-time, part-time, and flexible study options available.

: Our further education courses will help convert your passions and interests into a career. Many have an emphasis on practical skills in a specific profession and assessments are usually through work-related assignments. These courses prepare you for work or to go onto university or higher education at college.

Level Summary Example of Qualifications
Entry Level & Level 1 Entry Level courses give you access to Level 1 qualifications and employment.

Level 1 courses offer you the opportunity to acquire a broad range of knowledge and practical skills that will enable you to access a Level 2 qualification or employment. They are hands-on qualifications introducing an industry of interest.

We focus heavily on developing your employability and softer skills to allow you to thrive in your chosen industry.
Step Up

Computerised Bookkeeping Level 1 Award

ESOL Skills for Life Entry Level Awards (Entry 1-3)
Infant Mental Health Level 1 Award
Level 2 Level 2 courses provide focus on a subject that can support the transition to a Level 3 qualification or employment. SRC offers a broad range of qualifications to choose from, each enabling you to progress in your chosen field.

Qualifications at Level 2 include GCSEs and vocational qualifications such as Awards and Diplomas. The new NI Traineeships are also Level 2 courses and we offer many Apprenticeship courses at Level 2 (see below).

Level 2 courses generally take one or two years to complete and are aimed at developing core theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Creative Arts and Digital Technologies Level 2 Diploma

Applied Science Level 2 First Certificate

Engineering Level 2 Traineeship
Level 3
Level 3 courses will set you on a path to university, a Higher Level Apprenticeship or skilled employment.

Qualifications at Level 3 include A-Levels, Advanced Technical Awards, Extended Diplomas and Apprenticeships.

Level 3 qualifications are generally a two-year full-time programme. The Advanced Technical Awards and BTEC Extended Diplomas are an alternative to A-Levels and carry UCAS points allowing you to progress to university.

Advanced Technical Awards will also provide you with important traversal skills (or soft skills) such as teamwork, communication and digital competence that you will need as you move forward in your career.

Many part-time study options are also available at Level 3.
Games, Animation and VFX Skills Level 3 Extended Diploma

Gym Instructing and Personal Training Level 3 Diploma

Dental Nursing Level 3 National Diploma
Access Diploma in Adult Learning
The aim of the Access Diploma in Adult Learning is to provide a sufficiently broad education for adults who have few or no appropriate qualifications to enter higher education. It is open to those aged 19 or older. This programme will equip you with the study skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications you need.

Most students who study an Access Diploma go on to succeed at university and beyond, with a large number pursuing new careers and seeing positive changes in their lives.
Adult Learning Science Level 3 Diploma

Adult Learning Arts and Humanities Level 3 Diploma

Adult Learning Public Health Level 3 Diploma
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: Apprenticeships and Higher Level Apprenticeships combine employment and education with a high quality apprenticeship and develop skills for life.

Level Summary Examples of Qualifications
Level 2 & Level 3 These work-based training programmes give you the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to progress in your chosen career. Apprentices work for an employer and earn a salary, as well as undertaking an NVQ or Diploma at Level 2 or 3 by attending SRC part-time. Business Administration Level 3 Diploma Apprenticeship

Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles Level 2 Diploma Apprenticeship
Level 4 – 6 A Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) offers you the opportunity to gain quality training and a recognised higher level qualification while in paid employment. HLAs are open to applicants who have gained a Level 3 qualification and who are either employed or about to take up paid employment as an apprentice.

The Higher Level Apprenticeship programme offers an opportunity to get qualified at higher level without incurring the student debt that your university peers will accrue during their degree course – providing a real alternative to university! Applied Industrial Sciences - Chemical Pathway Level 5 Foundation Degree HLA

Digital Marketing, Advertising and Communications BSc (Hons) Level 6 HLA
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: Higher Education is the natural progression in the education chain if you want to further your studies on completion of a Level 3 programme. All SRC’s higher education qualifications are validated by one of our partner universities: Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, The Open University and Liverpool John Moores University.

Level Summary Examples of Qualifications
Level 4 Qualifications
Higher National Certificates (HNC)
A HNC is a Level 4 academic and work-related course that provides skills that are relevant to a chosen career. Generally, a HNC is equivalent to the first year of a university degree and takes one year to complete full-time or two years part-time.

Upon successful completion of a HNC, you have the option of progressing to a HND, Degree or employment.

SRC also offer other Level 4 qualifications validated by Ulster University, The Open University and IMI.
Healthcare Practice Level 4 Higher National Certificate

Advanced Automotive Studies Level 4 Certificate
Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) HNDs are practical-based courses, ideal for those wanting to enter the workforce or study towards an Honours Degree. HNDs take two years to complete full-time or three to four years part-time.

On successful completion of a HND, students can progress at SRC to ‘top-up’ their HND up to a full Honours Degree or can progress to the second year of a Degree at university.
Art And Design - Graphic Design Level 5 Higher National Diploma

Business Level 5 Higher National Diploma
Level 5 Foundation Degree A Foundation Degree is a Level 5 qualification which equates to the first two years of a university degree. It combines academic study with workplace skills and as they are designed in partnership with employers, equips students with the relevant skills and knowledge to achieve academic results and improve performance.

A full-time Foundation Degree will take two years to complete. Part-time options normally take three years.

On successful completion of a Foundation Degree, students can progress to ‘top-up’ their qualification to an Honours Degree at SRC or progress onto the second year of a university degree. Early Childhood Studies Level 5 Foundation Degree

Fintech Level 5 Foundation Degree
Level 6 Honours Degrees and Top-Up Routes On successful completion of a HND or Foundation Degree, students can progress to an Honours Degree at SRC studied over one-year full-time or two years part-time.

Many of our ‘top-up’ Degrees allow students to convert their current qualification to a full Honours Degree, equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree.
Computing for Industry BSc (Hons) Level 6 Degree

English and History BA Level 6 Degree
Professional Qualifications Southern Regional College also offer a suite of professional qualifications at higher level. These are advanced accreditation that will provide you with specialised training in a specific profession.

Professional qualifications can help you gain recognition in your field and many enable you to obtain membership from professional bodies or organisations.
Strategic People Management Level 7 Advanced Diploma

Strategic Management & Leadership Level 7 Diploma
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Study Options

At SRC we offer full-time and part-time courses or flexible study options through eCampus.

Full-time courses tend to be those aimed at school leavers post GCSE or A-Level, but we have many adults who choose to return to education to study full-time.

Part-time study usually involves one day or evening per week and courses can last from 8 weeks to 3 years depending on the level of the course. Part-time recreational courses may only involve attendance of 2 hours per week and are aimed at those who want to dip their toe into a specific subject area or want to learn just for fun. Many of our higher education programmes are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis to allow students to balance study with their work and home lives.

eCampus offers courses that are either blended learning or fully online. On a blended learning programme your classes will be delivered partly on campus and partly online. Some courses are delivered fully online via our virtual learning environment.

Level	Summary	Example of Qualifications
Entry Level & Level 1	Entry Level courses give you access to Level 1 qualifications and employment. Level 1 courses offer you the opportunity to acquire a broad range of knowledge and practical skills that will enable you to access a Level 2 qualification or employment. They are hands-on qualifications introducing an industry of interest. We focus heavily on developing your employability and softer skills to allow you to thrive in your chosen industry.	Step Up Computerised Bookkeeping Level 1 Award ESOL Skills for Life Entry Level Awards (Entry 1-3) Infant Mental Health Level 1 Award
Level 2	Level 2 courses provide focus on a subject that can support the transition to a Level 3 qualification or employment. SRC offers a broad range of qualifications to choose from, each enabling you to progress in your chosen field. Qualifications at Level 2 include GCSEs and vocational qualifications such as Awards and Diplomas. The new NI Traineeships are also Level 2 courses and we offer many Apprenticeship courses at Level 2 (see below). Level 2 courses generally take one or two years to complete and are aimed at developing core theoretical knowledge and practical skills.	Creative Arts and Digital Technologies Level 2 Diploma Applied Science Level 2 First Certificate Engineering Level 2 Traineeship
Level 3	Level 3 courses will set you on a path to university, a Higher Level Apprenticeship or skilled employment. Qualifications at Level 3 include A-Levels, Advanced Technical Awards, Extended Diplomas and Apprenticeships. Level 3 qualifications are generally a two-year full-time programme. The Advanced Technical Awards and BTEC Extended Diplomas are an alternative to A-Levels and carry UCAS points allowing you to progress to university. Advanced Technical Awards will also provide you with important traversal skills (or soft skills) such as teamwork, communication and digital competence that you will need as you move forward in your career. Many part-time study options are also available at Level 3.	Games, Animation and VFX Skills Level 3 Extended Diploma Gym Instructing and Personal Training Level 3 Diploma Dental Nursing Level 3 National Diploma
Access Diploma in Adult Learning	The aim of the Access Diploma in Adult Learning is to provide a sufficiently broad education for adults who have few or no appropriate qualifications to enter higher education. It is open to those aged 19 or older. This programme will equip you with the study skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications you need. Most students who study an Access Diploma go on to succeed at university and beyond, with a large number pursuing new careers and seeing positive changes in their lives.	Adult Learning Science Level 3 Diploma Adult Learning Arts and Humanities Level 3 Diploma Adult Learning Public Health Level 3 Diploma

Level	Summary	Examples of Qualifications
Level 2 & Level 3	These work-based training programmes give you the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to progress in your chosen career. Apprentices work for an employer and earn a salary, as well as undertaking an NVQ or Diploma at Level 2 or 3 by attending SRC part-time.	Business Administration Level 3 Diploma Apprenticeship Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles Level 2 Diploma Apprenticeship
Level 4 – 6	A Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) offers you the opportunity to gain quality training and a recognised higher level qualification while in paid employment. HLAs are open to applicants who have gained a Level 3 qualification and who are either employed or about to take up paid employment as an apprentice. The Higher Level Apprenticeship programme offers an opportunity to get qualified at higher level without incurring the student debt that your university peers will accrue during their degree course – providing a real alternative to university!	Applied Industrial Sciences - Chemical Pathway Level 5 Foundation Degree HLA Digital Marketing, Advertising and Communications BSc (Hons) Level 6 HLA