General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQs)

GNVQs are about work, but they don't train pupils for a specific job. They prepare pupils for work through studying broad areas - for example, leisure and tourism, or health and social care. They give them experience, knowledge and skills relevant to work, usually through contact with working adults. GNVQs are made up of units, and pupils gain a certificate for each unit as they complete it.

GCSE course titles can sound similar to National Curriculum subject titles. But the names of GNVQs don't sound like the National Curriculum subjects - they draw aspects of a number of subjects into the area of study.

GNVQs are helpful for pupils who want a more active, work-based style of study than that offered by GCSEs. GNVQ study usually involves:

• Time in the workplace. Pupils will be interacting with adults at work (although pupils won't be doing the work themselves). 
• More independent learning. Two-thirds of the marks come from a portfolio of coursework, so pupils are less tied to tests and the classroom.
• More work in groups.