There are a number of different qualification routes available in our sector.

GCSE's A GCSE is a General Certificate in Secondary Education which is usually studied for in years 10 and 11 of school. They are available in a wide variety of subjects and are set by numerous examining boards. If you are interested in working in the active leisure and learning sector and are about to choose your GCSE subjects, PE, maths, science and English may be relevant options which employers in the sector will value when you come to apply for jobs.

A-levels are typically studied for following GCSE's or other equivalent qualifications. As with GCSE's there are a wide variety of subjects that can be studied and these qualifications usually take two years to complete. A-levels are regarded as one of the main routes in to further education and employment.

AS levels are stand alone qualifications which have a value of half a full A-level qualification. The qualification is made up of three units. Upon completion of these units, candidates receive their AS level. If they wish they can undertake the A2 which upon completion gives them the full A level qualification. The AS level covers the less demanding aspects of the A-level, the A2 covers the more demanding aspects.

Standard Grades are Scotland's educational qualifications for students aged around 14 to 16 years. Standard Grade courses are taken over the 3rd and 4th years of a student's secondary schooling. Exams are taken at the end of the 3rd or 4th Year (around May). The exams are provided by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which also offers the more recent National Qualifications on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate.

Students will typically study 7 to 9 subjects at Standard Grade. Generally speaking, different subjects can be taken independently of each other. The two main restrictions on this choice are timetable arrangements, and the fact that many less popular subjects are not offered by all schools. Standard Grade in PE is available.

The Standard Grade is broadly equivalent to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualification taken in other parts of the UK.

Scottish Highers are Scotland’s national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. They are normally referred to simply as "Highers".

The Welsh Baccalaureate (Welsh Bacc) is aimed at young people aged 14-19 in full time education. It combines personal development skills with existing qualifications like A-levels, NVQs and GCSEs to make one wider award that is valued by employers and universities.