Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education

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Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education, usually shorted to Advanced VCE,Vocational A-Level or AVCE, was a vocational qualification that used to be available in British Further Education institutions.

[edit] Subjects and assessment

VCEs are available in many subjects including Information and Communication Technology, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Management, Leisure and Recreation, Travel and Tourism, Business. Many students prefer the vocational system because they can learn more from hands-on work, though others find it difficult to maintain their motivation because of the constant evaluation and coursework.

The qualification was created in September 2000 to replace the Advanced GNVQ, with the main change being that the marking system was altered from the three level Distinction, Merit and Pass system to A–E grading, bringing the AVCE into line with A-Levels. AVCE can lead on to higher education and employment. How this qualification works is there are 4 portfolio and 2 externally assessement exams.

AVCEs consist of modules, each covering different aspects of the subject. Some of these modules overlap and some institutes choose to virtually merge their content. Students must complete a set number of modules in order to qualify for the three different levels of AVCE:

  • AVCE Double Award - 12 units (worth two A-levels)
  • AVCE Single Award - 6 units (worth one A-level)
  • ASVCE - 3 units (worth one AS-level)

[edit] Withdrawal

The regulatory body, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), along with Welsh equivalent ACCAC, decided in June 2004 to withdraw the Advanced VCE, with the final candidates starting in September 2004. They have created and piloted an "Applied GCE" qualification to replace the AVCE. Edexcel withdrew AVCE ICT in June 2006 but students are able to re-submit coursework until November 2006 and can re-sit exams until January 2006. The GNVQ is still currently available in two forms – Foundation and Intermediate levels – which both work up to the Advanced level, but is also set to be withdrawn in 2007.

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