This qualification is wide-ranging and equivalent in size to 1.5 A Levels, and can be used to progress to the Extended Diploma in the second-year of a study programme. Students who wish to take this qualification will have successfully completed a Level 2 programme of study with GCSEs (preferably English, maths, science & PE/sport) and potentially some vocational subjects.

Of the six units studied, four are internally assessed and two are externally assessed. Therefore assessment is made up of approximately 67% internally assessed work (projects, coursework, work books, research, presentations etc) and 33% externally assessed by Edexcel in the form of examinations and set tasks.