What do Level 3, Level 5 and Level 7 mean?

Course pages show levels such as Level 3, RQF 4–5 and RQF 7. RQF stands for Regulated Qualifications Framework, the system used in the United Kingdom to say how demanding a qualification is. A higher number means a more advanced qualification.

A rough guide

• Level 3: the level of A/Levels and BTEC Nationals, the step before higher education.
• Levels 4 and 5: the first two years of higher education. A Higher National Diploma (HND) covers both.
• Level 6: a bachelor's degree.
• Level 7: master's level. A Postgraduate Diploma sits here.

Where Aspire's programmes sit

• Diploma in Aviation Management: Level 3
• HND in Aviation Management: RQF 4–5
• Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership (Aviation Management): RQF 7
• Diploma in Business: Level 3
• HND in Business: RQF 4–5
• Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership (Business Management): RQF 7
• HND in International Travel & Tourism: RQF 4–5

Note that Aspire's own Diploma is labelled Level 3 on its course page and is awarded by Aspire, not Pearson. The HNDs and Postgraduate Diplomas are Pearson BTEC qualifications. See who awards each qualification.

Why levels matter

Levels tell you what you can do next. A Level 5 HND is the stepping stone to Level 7 study, and entry routes are set by level: for the HND, two A/Level passes, a diploma, or O/Levels with five years of work experience. See the routes into an HND and how far each step can take you.