Staging
Close notification
Close notification image
APPLICATION PORTAL UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE
Testing

The RAF's application portal is currently undergoing maintenance. 

You can still express interest for Regular (full-time) roles as usual by clicking on the Apply As a Regular button on role pages.

If you are interested in a Reserves (part-time) role, please use our Contact page for details of how to get in touch.

Please continue to monitor this site for updates on when you can complete your full application.

Thank you for your patience while we work on bringing you an improved application system.

Contact us white right arrow small icon
Get in touch white arrow small icon
burger-style menu icon
ROYAL AIR FORCE EDUCATIONAL EQUIVALENCIES
wef 01 May 2020

All subjects at A Level and GCSE must be distinct and only one subject may be offered from each of certain groupings which may be found at the bottom of this page.

Some subjects are not acceptable for an A Level requirement. This includes General Studies , Citizenship, Critical thinking and Citizenship Studies.

The list of qualifications is not exhaustive and, in the case of awards, certificates and diplomas, it may be hard to differentiate between specific qualifications. All queries should be emailed to SO3 Officer Processing for clarification.

You can download a copy of this information in Microsoft Excel here

 

0 Grade/Level EQUIVALENCY
    Level 1 and 2 - GCSE Level 3 - A Level
    Level 1 Key Skills (where subject is applicable) One GCSE Grade D to G (1 to 3) One GCSE Grade C (4/5) 1 A Level Grade C Minimum 2 A Levels Grade C Minimum
Certificate in Adult Literacy or numeracy Essential/Key Skills Level 1 Yes Yes No No No
Certificate in Adult Literacy or numeracy Essential/Key Skills Level 2  Yes Yes No No No
Certificate in Adult Literacy or numeracy Essential/Key Skills Level 3  Yes Yes Yes No No
Certificate in Adult Literacy or numeracy Essential/Key Skills Entry Level 1 No No No No No
Certificate in Adult Literacy or numeracy Essential/Key Skills Entry Level 2 No No No No No
Certificate in Adult Literacy or numeracy Essential/Key Skills Entry Level 3 No No No No No
Functional Skills in Literacy or Numeracy  Level 1 Yes Yes No No No
Functional Skills in Literacy or Numeracy  Level 2  Yes Yes No No No
Functional Skills in Literacy or Numeracy  Entry Level 1 No No No No No
Functional Skills in Literacy or Numeracy  Entry Level 2 No No No No No
Functional Skills in Literacy or Numeracy  Entry Level 3 No No No No No
             
General Certificate of Education - GCSE (pre-2017) Grades A* - B Yes Yes Yes No No
General Certificate of Education - GCSE (pre-2017) Grade C Yes Yes Yes No No
General Certificate of Education - GCSE (pre-2017) Grades D - G Yes Yes No No No
General Certificate of Education - GCSE (post-2017) Grades 6 - 9 Yes Yes Yes No No
General Certificate of Education - GCSE (post-2017) Grades 4 - 5 Yes Yes Yes No No
General Certificate of Education - GCSE (post-2017) Grades 1 - 3 Yes Yes No No No
Certificate of Secondary Education - CSE  Grade 1 Yes Yes Yes No No
Certificate of Secondary Education - CSE  Grade 2-3 Yes Yes No No No
International General Certificate of Education - IGCSE   Grades A* - B Yes Yes Yes No No
International General Certificate of Education - IGCSE   Grade C Yes Yes Yes No No
International General Certificate of Education - IGCSE   Grades D - G Yes Yes No No No
General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Level - GCSE  AS Grades D-E Yes Yes Yes No No
General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Level - GCSE  AS Grades A-C Yes Yes Yes No No
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level - GCSE  A Level - per subject Grades A-C Yes Yes Yes Yes No
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level - GCSE  A Level - per subject Grade D-E Yes Yes Yes No No
Technical Levels (T - Levels  ) Confirmed Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction * No , the qualification if attained will be held as a standalone qualification Yes Yes
Advanced GNVQ - 6 Units Grades A-C Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Advanced GNVQ - 6 Units Grade D-E Yes Yes Yes No No
Advanced GNVQ - 12 Units Grades A-C Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Advanced GNVQ - 12 Units Grades D-E Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Advanced Subsidiary Vocational Certificate of Education (ASVCE) - 3 units Grades A-E Yes Yes Yes No No
Advanced Subsidiary Vocational Certificate of Education (ASVCE) - 3 units Grades A-C Yes Yes Yes No No
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) Single Award – 6 units Grades A-C Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) Single Award – 6 units Grades D-E Yes Yes Yes No No
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) Double Award – 12 units Grades A-C Yes Yes Acceptable for up to 5 GCSEs depending on subject and similarity of subject rules Yes Yes
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) Double Award – 12 units Grades D-E Yes Yes Acceptable for up to 5 GCSEs depending on subject and similarity of subject rules No No
Foundation Diploma (Level 1) Grades A*-B Yes Yes 5 x GCSE  + ½ GCSE each in Maths/Eng/ICT at Grade D-G No No
Higher Diploma (Level 2) Grades A*-C Yes Yes 7 x GCSE + ½ GCSE each in Maths/Eng/ICT at Grade A-C No No
Advanced Diploma (Level 3) Grades A*-C Yes Yes Yes Yes 3.5 ALevels inc Maths/Eng/ ICT
Intermediate BTEC in Aviation Studies Pass  Yes  Yes Yes (physics) No No
BTEC First Certificate Pass  Yes  Yes Acceptable for up to 4 GCSEs depending on similarity of subject rules No No
BTEC First Diploma Pass  Yes  Yes Acceptable for up to 4 GCSEs depending on subject and similarity of subject rules No No
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma Pass (P) Yes Yes Yes  No No
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma Merit (M) Yes Yes Yes  Yes  No
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma Distinction (D) Yes Yes Yes  Yes  No
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma Distinction * (D*) Yes Yes Yes  Yes  No
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma - Pre 2002 Merit or distinction in a single NC unit at Level 2 Yes  Yes Yes  No No
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma - Pre 2002 Pass in a single NC unit at Level 2 Yes  Yes Yes  No No
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma - Pre 2002 3 full units at merit or distinction Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
BTEC National Certificate - Post 2002 A single Pass, Merit or Distinction Yes  Yes Yes  No No
BTEC National Certificate - Post 2002 PP Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  No
BTEC National Certificate - Post 2002 MM Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
90 Credit Diploma PP Yes Yes Yes  No No
90 Credit Diploma MP/MM Yes Yes Yes  Yes  No
90 Credit Diploma DM/DD/D*D/D*D* Yes Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
BTEC National Diploma - Post 2002 PP/MP Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  No
BTEC National Diploma - Post 2002 MM/DM/DD/D*D/D*D* Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
BTEC Extended Diploma PPP Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  No
BTEC Extended Diploma MPP - D*D*D* Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes
BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma P Yes  Yes Yes Yes  Yes 
City and Guilds (C&G) Land Based Services LBS) Certificate P Yes  Yes Yes  No No
C&G LBS Certificate M/D/D* Yes  Yes Yes  No No
C&G LBS Subsidiary Diploma P Yes  Yes Yes  No No
C&G LBS Subsidiary Diploma M/D Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  No
C&G LBS Subsidiary Diploma D* Yes  Yes Yes  Yes Yes
C&G LBS 90 Credit Diploma P Yes  Yes Yes  No No
C&G LBS 90 Credit Diploma M Yes  Yes Yes  Yes No
C&G LBS 90 Credit Diploma D/D* Yes  Yes Yes  Yes Yes
C&G LBS Diploma P Yes  Yes Yes  Yes No
C&G LBS Diploma M /D/ D* Yes  Yes Yes  Yes Yes
C&G LBS Extended Diploma P Yes  Yes Yes  Yes No
C&G LBS Extended Diploma M /D/D* Yes  Yes Yes  Yes Yes
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 1 Yes  Yes No No No
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 Yes  Yes Yes (not acceptable for English Lang. and maths) No No
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 Yes  Yes Yes (not acceptable for English Lang. and maths) Yes  No
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 4 Yes  Yes Yes (not acceptable for English Lang. and maths) Yes  Yes 
General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) Intermediate Level 2 Yes  Yes Acceptable for up to 4 GCSEs depending on subject and similarity of subject rules No No
General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) Advanced Level 3 Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) 4 Level 4 Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) 5 Level 5 Yes  Yes Yes  Yes  Yes 
             
Foundation Modern Apprenticeship GCSE Level Yes  Yes Yes  No No
Open University (OU) 60 credits Pass Yes  Yes Yes Yes  No
Open University (OU) 120 credits Pass Yes  Yes Yes Yes  Yes 
Foundation Degree –  FD Level 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes  Yes
Access to Higher Education - 2017 onwards where grades total 64 UCAS points or higher Yes Yes Yes Yes  Yes
Access to Higher Education - pre 2017 6 unit pass  Yes Yes Yes Yes  No
Access to Higher Education - pre 2017 12 unit pass  Yes Yes Yes Yes  Yes
             
Award in Digital Applications - AiDA Level 2 - Pass Yes  Yes Yes  No No
Certificate in Digital Applications - CiDA Level 2 - Pass Yes  Yes Yes  No No
Diploma in Digital Applications - DiDA Level 2 - Pass Yes  Yes Yes  No No
             
Scottish Access  Access 3 No No No   No
Scottish Access  Access 2 No No No No No
Scottish Access Access 1 No No No No No
Scottish National 1 Entry 1 No No No No No
Scottish National 2 Entry 2 No No No No No
Scottish National 3 Entry 3 No No No   No
Scottish National 4 Level 1 Yes Yes No No No
Scottish National 5 Level 2 Grade A-B Yes Yes Yes No No
Scottish National 5 Level 2 Grade C Yes Yes Yes No No
Scottish National 5 Level 2 Grade D  Yes Yes No No No
Scottish Higher (New) Level 3 Yes Yes Yes 2 * Grade A-B 3 * grade A-B
Scottish Advanced Higher (New) Level 3+/4- Yes Yes Yes Yes 2 * grade A-C
Scottish Certificate of Education Higher - SCE HG Grades D-E Yes Yes Yes No No
Scottish Certificate of Education Higher - SCE HG Grades A-B Yes Yes Yes 2 * Grade A-B 3 * grade A-B
Scottish Certificate of Education Higher - SCE HG Grade C Yes Yes Yes 2 * Grade C 4 * grade C
Scottish Certificate of Sixth Year Studies - CSYS Pass per subject. Each subject is equivalent to one A Level Yes Yes Yes Yes 2 * pass
Scottish Advanced Higher Grade A-C Yes Yes Yes Yes 2 * grade A-C
Scottish Intermediate Certificate 1 Grade A - E Yes Yes No No No
Scottish Intermediate Certificate 2 Grade A - B Yes Yes Yes No No
Scottish Intermediate Certificate 2 Grade C Yes Yes Yes No No
Scottish Intermediate Certificate 2 Grade D - E Yes Yes No No No
             
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Pass Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Welsh Baccalaureate - Intermediate Pass Yes Yes No No No
             
Eire Junior Certificate  (Ordinary Level)  Grade A-D Yes Yes No No No
Eire Junior Certificate (Higher Level) Grade A - C Yes Yes Yes No No
Eire Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) post 2016 Grade O1-O2 Yes Yes Yes No No
Eire Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) post 2016 Grade O3-04 Yes Yes Yes No No
Eire Leaving Certificate  (Ordinary Level) post 2016 Grade O5-O6 Yes Yes No No No
Eire Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) post 2016 Grades H1 - H2 Yes Yes Yes Yes 2 * grade H1 - H2
Eire Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) post 2016 Grade H3 Yes Yes Yes 2 * grade H3 3 * grade H3
Eire Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) post 2016  Grade H4- H5 Yes Yes Yes No No
Eire Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) pre 2017 Grade A - B  Yes Yes Yes No No
Eire Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) pre 2017 Grade C  Yes Yes Yes No No
Eire Leaving Certificate  (Ordinary Level) pre 2017 Grade D-E Yes Yes No No No
Eire Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) pre 2017 Grade A - B  Yes Yes Yes 2 * Grade A-B 3 * grade A-B
Eire Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) pre 2017 Grade C Yes Yes Yes 2 * Grade C 4 * grade C
Eire Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) pre 2017 Grade D Yes Yes Yes No No
             
International Baccalaureate (IB)   Pass with min 24 pts Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
European Baccalaureate 60% Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
             
Introductory Certificate in Supervisory Management   No Yes No No No
NEBS Certificate in Management Pass No Yes Yes No No
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Diploma In Insurance Level 4 pass No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Financial Planning Certificate Level 4 pass No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Advanced Certificate in Marketing Pass No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Institute of Financial Services (IFS) CIB Level 3 certificate Level 3 pass No Yes Yes No No
Associate Membership of IPD Level 3 pass No Yes Yes No No
International Institute of Sports Therapy - Diploma for Sports Therapy Level 3 pass No Yes Yes No No
ACCA Certified Accounting Technician Level 4 pass No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Certified Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Stage 4 Stage 4 pass No Yes Yes Yes Yes

 

SUBJECT GROUPINGS Number allowed under Subject Heading Acceptability of Alternatives within the group 
English Language One English Literature is acceptable if held at A Level
English Literature One  
Mathematics One Arithmetic or numeracy is not acceptable
Other Mathematical Subjects One Includes Additional and applied maths and statistics
Science Any variation of the 3 basic sciences are acceptable Includes single award Science and Applied Science, Human Biology, Environmental Science and agricultural science.
History One  
Languages No limitation unless specified by individual branch/trade  
Religious Studies One  
Business Studies  One from each of 5 subject groups  a. Accounting, Finance b. Business Studies, Commerce, Economics, Marketing c. Human Resources/ Human Resource Management e. Project Management f. Tourism and Leisure
Social Studies One Social science and Social studies overlap
Political Studies One  
Law One a. Law b. Legal Studies c. Criminology
Communication, Design and Technology (CDT) One  
Technology, Computing, Information Technology One each from each of 2 subject groups:-  a. Electronics, ICT, CDT (Technology)b. Computer Studies/Science , Information Technology 
Technical Drawing , Graphic Design One CDT Design and communication and Graphic Communication overlap
Music One  
Education Studies One  
Art, Practical and Domestic Subjects One  Examples Include : Art and Design, Building studies, Catering, CDT : Design and Realisation, Craft and Design, Dance , Drama, Woodwork, Motor Vehicle Studies, Photography 
Sports Studies One  Examples include: Sports Studies, PE
white bookmark icon Favourites