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OCR Nationals

OCR Nationals are vocationally-related qualifications for students who want to develop skills and knowledge through work-related learning rather than through a traditional academic route.

They may be taken full time or part time at levels 1-3 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and are one of the qualifications that may be taken in place of the recently withdrawn GNVQ.

OCR Nationals are available in a range of subject areas, including the following:

  • Business
  • Design
  • Health and Social Care
  • IT
  • Leisure and Tourism
  • Media
  • Public Services
  • Science
  • Sport
  • Travel and Tourism

There are a number of different levels of courses, including the following:

Level 1 OCR Nationals

Qualification
Units
Equivalent to:
First Award
4
1 GCSE
(grades D - G)
Award
8
2 GCSEs
(grades D - G)
Certificate
12
4 GCSEs
(grades D - G)

Level 2 OCR Nationals

Qualification
Units
Equivalent to:
Certificate
6
4 GCSEs
(grades A* - C)

Level 3 OCR Nationals

Qualification
Units
Equivalent to:
Certificate
6
1 A' Level
Diploma
12
2 A' Levels
Extended Diploma
18
3 A' Levels

Level 3 OCR Nationals can be taken as an alternative to A levels, providing a route into Higher Education. Each Level 3 qualification qualifies for UCAS points, as shown in the table below.

UCAS
Points
Certificate
Diploma
Extended
Diploma
360
   
D1
320
   
D2/M1
280
   
M2
240
 
D
M3
220
     
200
 
M1
P1
180
     
160
 
M2/P1
P2
140
     
120
D
P2
P3
110
     
100
     
90
     
80
M
P3
 
70
     
60
     
50
     
40
P
   
30
     
20
     

Key

P = Pass (divided into P1, P2 and P3 at Diploma level and above)

M = Merit (divided into M1 and M2 at Diploma level and above)

D = Distinction (divided into D1 and D2 at Extended Diploma level)