


Levels
The Award of Credit
NIOCN recognises learner's achievements by awarding credit certificates to learners who successfully achieve the outcomes of recognised programmes. Credits are awarded within the National Credit Framework and may be accumulated for further study or as evidence of achievement for employment purposes. Credit value is based on a notional learning time of 10 hours per credit and learners develop a portfolio of achievement by accumulating credits in a National Credit Record issued by NIOCN.
Levels of Achievement
Credit is awarded at four levels of achievement, which apply across all types of learning, irrespective of curriculum area or method of delivery. The levels denote the degree of complexity, the range and the independence of learning and are those defined within the National Credit Framework.
Entry Level
The acquisition of a limited range of basic skills, knowledge and understanding in highly structured and self referenced contexts which permit the identification of progression from the learners point of entry to the learning process.
Entry Level is a basic developmental level for supporting the acquisition of skills necessary for everyday living -in the home, community and at work.
Level One
The acquisition of a foundation of competencies, knowledge and understanding in a limited range of predictable and structured contexts that prepare the learner to progress to further achievements.
Level One is comparable with NVQ Level I, GNVQ Foundation and GCSE (Grades D-G).
Level Two
The acquisition of a broader range of competencies, knowledge and understanding which demonstrate the extension of previous abilities in less predictable and structured contexts and prepare the learner to progress to further achievement.
Level Two is comparable with NVQ Level 2, GNVQ Intermediate and GCSE (Grades A-C).
Level Three
The acquisition of a more complex range of competencies, knowledge and understanding in contexts which develop autonomous, analytical and critical abilities that prepare the learner to progress to further independent achievements.
Level Three is comparable with NVQ Level 3, GNVQ Advanced, Access Courses and 'A' Level or 'A/S' Level.
http://www.ocnni.org.uk/content.asp?id=5