Education system of Great Britain Education by means other than schooling

RQF/FHEQ level	Common qualifications
EQF/QF-EHEA equivalent
Level 1	Foundation diploma GCSE (grades D–G) NVQ level 1	EQF level 2
Level 2	Higher diploma GCSE (grades A*–C) NVQ level 2	EQF level 3
Level 3	Advanced diploma A-level International Baccalaureate BTEC National NVQ level 3	EQF level 4
Level 4	Certificate of Higher Education HNC (awarded by a degree-awarding institution)	QF-EHEA Intermediate qualifications within the Short Cycle
	BTEC Professional award, certificate and diploma level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) NVQ level 4	EQF level 5
Level 5	BTEC Professional award, certificate and diploma level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) NVQ level 4
	Diploma of Higher Education Foundation degree HND (awarded by a degree-awarding institution)	QF-EHEA Short Cycle (within or linked to first cycle)
Level 6	BTEC Advanced Professional award, certificate and diploma level 6 NVQ level 4	EQF level 6
	Graduate certificate Graduate diploma Professional Graduate Certificate of Education	QF-EHEA Intermediate qualifications within the First Cycle
	Ordinary bachelor's degree Bachelor's degree with honours	QF-EHEA First Cycle (end of cycle)
Level 7	BTEC Advanced Professional award, certificate and diploma level 7 NVQ level 5	EQF level 7
	Postgraduate certificate Postgraduate diploma Postgraduate Certificate of Education	QF-EHEA Intermediate qualifications within the Second Cycle
	Integrated master's degree Master's degree	QF-EHEA Second Cycle (end of cycle)
Level 8	NVQ level 5	EQF level 8
	Doctorates	QF-EHEA Third Cycle (end of cycle)

Standards
The Programme for International Student Assessment coordinated by the OECD currently ranks the overall knowledge and skills of British 15-year-olds as 13th in the world in reading literacy, mathematics, and science with the average British student scoring 503.7, compared with the OECD average of 493, ahead of the United States and most of Europe in 2018.^[17]
The United Nations ranks the United Kingdom (including England) 10th in the Education Index, measuring educational attainment, GDP per capita and life expectancy, ahead most of Europe.^[70]
From 1997 to 2010, the Labour government introduced a new type of school known as academies for poorly performing schools in areas of social deprivation. More former local council managed schools, deemed 'inadequate' or 'requiring improvement', transitioned to an academy trust in this period and beyond are now rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.^[71][72]
From 2010, the Conservative government raised discipline standards in schools; basic manners and politeness in classrooms became more prioritised. From 2015, more students were in 'good' and 'outstanding' rated schools from all social backgrounds than 2010.^[72]
Funding
Since 2018, English schools have been funded through a national formula.^[73] The Institute for Fiscal Studies maintains real spending on schooling per pupil has dropped by 8% since 2010.^[74] In August 2019, it was announced that the budget for schools and high needs would be increased by 6% (£2.6 billion) in 2020–21, £4.8 billion in 2021-22 and £7.1 billion in 2022-23 respectively – plus an extra £1.5 billion per year to fund additional pensions costs for teachers. This new funding includes £780 million in 2020–21 to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).^[75