Qualifications

OCR is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities. More than 10,000 schools and colleges actively deliver our qualifications.

What types of qualifications are there?

Qualifications fall broadly into two categories – general and vocational. They are divided into different levels. If you would like more in depth information, then please visit the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) website.

QCA is the government department responsible for the development and monitoring of all nationally recognised qualifications.

Find out information on the regulations and policies governing the delivery of OCR qualifications.

General qualifications

General qualifications are those usually taken between the ages of 14 and 19 and include GCSEs, ASs and A Levels – these qualifications always include tests/exams as part of their assessment. They are broad in nature rather than focused on any particular work-related area.

Vocational qualifications

Vocational qualifications are those usually taken from the age of 14 plus and include NVQs and Key Skills – these qualifications are designed to have a much greater focus on learning practical skills.

OCR awards 4/20 for proposed new qualifications regulator

Proposals for a new independent regulator of qualifications were given qualified support in OCR's response to the DCSF consultation, 'Confidence in Standards'. Of the 20 substantive proposals in the consultation, OCR was only able to fully support four of them.

Standing Joint Committee reports published

OCR receives feedback from the teaching union representatives annually in regard to the three major areas of qualifications; GCSE, AS and A2. Feedback from the 2007 series has now been provided in three comprehensive reports.

Warwick Taylor, Head of Quality, comments: "OCR welcomes the feedback from the Standing Joint Committee in these three reports. We hope that our responses to these reports provide reassurance that we are listening to our customers and always remain open to feedback."