Qualifications

There are as number of food related qualifications that young people can take between the ages of 14 – 18 years. The type and content of qualification varies, depending on your location within the UK. Qualifications include food preparation and nutrition, biology, science, physical education and, hospitality and catering. Different Awarding Organisations provide qualifications.

England

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England. Qualifications are provided by a number of Awarding Organisations (exam boards), who are regulated by Ofqual.

Some of the Awarding Organisations that offer ‘food’ qualifications include:

• AQA https://www.aqa.org.uk/
• Edexcel (Pearson) https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html
• Eduqas https://www.eduqas.co.uk/
• OCR https://www.ocr.org.uk/
• ncfe https://www.ncfe.org.uk/

Ofqual provides a search function to find qualifications at https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/

Northern Ireland

The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) brings together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment in Northern Ireland. It advises government on what should be taught in schools, monitors standards and awards qualifications.

Key ‘food’ qualifications include: Agriculture and land use, Biology, Food and nutrition, Home economics, Food science and nutrition, and Hospitality.

To find out more, go to:

http://ccea.org.uk/qualifications/gcse

http://ccea.org.uk/qualifications/gce

Scotland

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) accredits and awards qualifications.

Key ‘food’ qualifications include: Health and food technology, Hospitality, Science, and Food, Health and Wellbeing.

To find out more, go to: https://www.sqa.org.uk/

Wales

WJEC is an examination board, providing qualifications and exam assessment to schools. With over 65 years’ experience in delivering qualifications, WJEC is the largest provider in Wales

Key ‘food’ qualifications include: Food preparation and nutrition, Hospitality and catering, Food science and nutrition, and Science. 

To find out more, go to: https://www.wjec.co.uk/