Level 3 is the level of A Levels. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GOV.UK places the A level, the Access to Higher Education Diploma, the T Level, the advanced apprenticeship, the level 3 diploma and the level 3 NVQ at Level 3, so each is at the same level as an A Level, though sizes differ. In Scotland, a Higher at SCQF level 6 is comparable to an A Level. You can study a Level 3 online with Lift College: A Levels from £49.99 a month per subject from age 14, or the QAA approved Access to HE Diploma, which carries UCAS points, for £79.99 a month from age 19, each with a 7-day free trial and 14-day money back on every payment.
Every qualification GOV.UK lists at Level 3
GOV.UK's "What qualification levels mean" page lists these at Level 3:
- A level
- Access to higher education diploma
- Advanced apprenticeship
- Applied general
- AS (Advanced Subsidiary) level
- International Baccalaureate diploma
- Level 3 award
- Level 3 certificate
- Level 3 diploma
- Level 3 ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)
- Level 3 national certificate
- Level 3 national diploma
- Level 3 NVQ (National vocational qualification)
- Music grades 6, 7 and 8
- T Level
- Tech level
Level 3 sits above Level 2 (GCSEs at grades 9 to 4) and below Level 4 (the HNC and CertHE). For every level, see our UK qualification levels RQF table.
Level 3 qualifications at a glance
| Qualification | What it is | Typical use | Lift College course |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Level | A subject qualification, assessed by exams and, in some subjects, practical or non exam assessment | University entry, higher apprenticeships, work | A Levels, 11 subjects, from £49.99 a month per subject |
| Access to HE Diploma | A 60 credit diploma for adults, 45 credits graded Pass, Merit or Distinction | University entry for a chosen degree subject | Access to HE Diploma, 13 pathways, £79.99 a month |
| Level 3 diploma | A diploma at Level 3 in a subject or job area | Depends on the diploma | Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, £69.99 a month; Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning, £59.99 a month; Level 3 Early Years Educator, £89.99 a month |
| T Level | A 2 year course taken after GCSEs, with an industry placement of at least 315 hours | Broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels; carries UCAS points | None |
| Advanced apprenticeship | A job with a wage, combining practical training with study | Qualifying at Level 3 while employed | None |
| Level 3 NVQ | A National vocational qualification at Level 3 | Work in the job area it covers | None |
Is Level 3 equivalent to A Levels?
Yes, in level. GOV.UK puts the A level and every qualification above at Level 3, and its apprenticeship guidance calls an advanced (Level 3) apprenticeship equivalent to an A level. Sizes differ: UCAS measures size in guided learning hours (an A Level is 360), and GOV.UK says a T Level is broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels. So "level 3 diploma equivalent" depends on the diploma. Universities and employers look at the exact title, its size and your grades.
The guide to Level 3 vs Level 5 vs Level 7 shows how Level 3 leads on to higher levels.
How Level 3 compares in Scotland
Scotland uses the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The SCQF Partnership says that a Higher at SCQF level 6 is comparable to an A Level at RQF level 3. Advanced Highers and the Scottish Baccalaureate sit one level higher, at SCQF level 7, alongside the Higher National Certificate. These are broad comparisons of the level of challenge, not exact equivalences.
UCAS points for Level 3 qualifications
Many Level 3 qualifications carry UCAS Tariff points, which some universities use in entry requirements. Points depend on the qualification's size and your grade.
| Qualification and grade | UCAS Tariff points |
|---|---|
| A Level at A* | 56 |
| A Level at A | 48 |
| A Level at B | 40 |
| A Level at C | 32 |
| A Level at D | 24 |
| A Level at E | 16 |
| Access to HE Diploma, all 45 graded credits at Distinction | 144 (the maximum) |
| T Level at Distinction* | 168 |
| T Level at Distinction | 144 |
So three A Levels at grade A (3 x 48), a T Level at Distinction and an Access to HE Diploma with all 45 graded credits at Distinction all come to 144 points. QAA says Access to HE students are accepted at over 140 universities every year. Entry requirements vary, so check each university. Read what UCAS points are or work out your total with the UCAS points calculator.
Level 3 courses you can study online with Lift College
Each course below is studied online and starts with a 7-day free trial, with no contract and 14-day money back on every payment.
- A Levels. 11 subjects (AQA, and WJEC Eduqas for Film Studies) with a named UK tutor. £49.99 a month per subject on Study, or £509.99 a year. Aged 14 or over, no formal entry qualifications; under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian. Typically 12 to 18 months a subject at 8 to 12 hours a week.
- Access to HE Diploma. QAA approved, carries UCAS points, awarding body TBC. 13 pathways, including nursing and midwifery, for £79.99 a month or £815.99 for a year. Aged 19 or over, at 8 to 12 hours a week.
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF). TQUK, Ofqual regulated, on the Skills for Care approved list. A portfolio from your workplace, no exams. £69.99 a month or £713.99 a year. Aged 16 or over, in paid or voluntary adult care work for the whole course.
- Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF). TQUK, Ofqual regulated. A portfolio built in the school where you work or volunteer, no exams. £59.99 a month or £611.99 a year. Aged 16 or over.
- Level 3 Early Years Educator (RQF). TQUK, listed by the DfE as full and relevant at Level 3. Portfolio and observation, no exams, with at least 300 placement hours in an Ofsted registered setting, employed or voluntary. £89.99 a month or £917.99 a year. Aged 16 or over.