Do Advanced Science Qualifications Prepare Students for Employment and Higher Education?

A comparison was made between the degree to which two UK qualifications which are pitched at the same level (General Certificate of Education Advanced level (GCE A level) and the Advanced Science General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ)), meet the needs of employers and tutors in higher education. The analysis of results shows that only a limited range of science ideas in the GCE and the GNVQ are seen as essential requirements by employers and higher education tutors. Practical capability was found to be particularly important and was developed through both qualifications. There are significant differences between the GCE and the GNVQ in terms of how they meet the requirements of employers and tutors in higher education, neither qualification provides the breadth required. In both the GCE and the GNVQ, higher level performance is in line with qualification aims.