NVQ level 3 NPA grading

[auburnautumn]

Hello!
I'm a newbie and I'm looking to pick your brains!!!
I'm completing my NVQ level 3 with the NPA at the moment and I'll be finished in about 4 modules and 3 units time. I hope to get these done ASAP! As I'm hoping to go to uni at the end of this year! However, I need a distinction in my NVQ and I'm starting to panic!!!!
In hope of trying to finish quickly, I have been a bit slap dash with some modules but I mostly get A's and B's. Although, looking back to the start where I had a super harsh marker from the head office I did get 2/3 grade Cs. I'm really worried that even if I get super duper As in my remaining modules that the Cs might bring me down from a distinction
I have searched high and low online, and found nothing! Does anyone have any idea how they grade the overall qualification or any idea what points/percentages it is based on? I'm assuming its based on the modules not the units also because they are only pass or fail.
I have looked on the NPA website, Ed Excel and City and Guilds because they are all awarding bodies of this qualification although I believe the NPA use the latter.
I even rang the NPA recently and they pleaded complete ignorance. They said they were completely unable to even give me a predicted grading for my UCAS form

If no one knows how they establish what you are given then have any of you finished and achieved a distinction? If so, what grades did you get mostly and did you get any Cs

Thanks very much guys

[johnep]

NVQ3 not really a substitute for A levels.
Have you checked that NVQs are acceptable?
johnep

[auburnautumn]

I have A levels too. I have applied and have offers. I just need to get this under my belt also.

[greenmonkey]

Hi Auburnautumn, I finished mine in Aug last year. My marks consisted of 1 grade B and the rest A's and I gained a distinction. Good luck with yours xx

[auburnautumn]

Hi Auburnautumn, I finished mine in Aug last year. My marks consisted of 1 grade B and the rest A's and I gained a distinction. Good luck with yours xx

Of course you got a distinction, thats amazing!!!! lol
Welldone! and thank you x

[André]

NVQ3 not really a substitute for A levels.
Have you checked that NVQs are acceptable?
johnep

Yeah, I agree with Johnep.. However, I still think this whole NVQ vs A Level thing is silly especially in relation to pharmacy, BUT it all comes down to what the powers that be deem to be worthy (UCAS).
You can't do an A Level in Pharmacy, because it's deemed more Vocational than academic... but is it? - I would argue there is a heck of a lot to learn to in the modules which could be considered 'Academic' - the course is designed to give an 'underpinning knowledge' ... I would never of thought that a course which is directly related to pharmacy stands for nothing in terms of a Pharmacy degree application, and I think it's funny that they require a Distinction for it to mean something, you could do A level Chemistry, which you could get a B overall in, and that would be worth more than your IMO more relevant qualification.. ? - If my mind serves me right, the only 'worthy' NVQ is Accountancy... Funny that.

I have A levels too. I have applied and have offers. I just need to get this under my belt also.

Why didn't you just apply for UNI to do pharmacy in the first place rather than spend 2 years doing the NVQ? - Afterall, if you don't get the Distinctions, there is a possibility it could stand for nothing in the eyes of UCAS points... But I guess in terms of an interview the UNI should hopefully take it into consideration?...

[dizzyb23]

I got all A's bar one which was a C and mine was a distinction but all that seems to matter is that you pass the NVQ 3 and not whether you have a distinction or not. Having the distinction has made not one bit of difference to me and any courses I have gone for. Who told you that you need that level of qualification with your NVQ??

It might be an idea to discuss all this with the people who are going to be running your future Uni course. See what they have to say.

[auburnautumn]

Yeah, I agree with Johnep.. However, I still think this whole NVQ vs A Level thing is silly especially in relation to pharmacy, BUT it all comes down to what the powers that be deem to be worthy (UCAS).
You can't do an A Level in Pharmacy, because it's deemed more Vocational than academic... but is it? - I would argue there is a heck of a lot to learn to in the modules which could be considered 'Academic' - the course is designed to give an 'underpinning knowledge' ... I would never of thought that a course which is directly related to pharmacy stands for nothing in terms of a Pharmacy degree application, and I think it's funny that they require a Distinction for it to mean something, you could do A level Chemistry, which you could get a B overall in, and that would be worth more than your IMO more relevant qualification.. ? - If my mind serves me right, the only 'worthy' NVQ is Accountancy... Funny that.



Why didn't you just apply for UNI to do pharmacy in the first place rather than spend 2 years doing the NVQ? - Afterall, if you don't get the Distinctions, there is a possibility it could stand for nothing in the eyes of UCAS points... But I guess in terms of an interview the UNI should hopefully take it into consideration?...

Thats right the UCAS tariff only recognises Accountancy in terms of tariff points. I haven't done Pharmacy from A levels alone because I had a lot going on in my personal life in school and ended up doing poorly but went to University to study a non science subject. After a lot of consideration I left to return to Pharmacy. I have since been working full time and working towards my NVQ level 3. In addition to this I went to evening classes to achieve my A level Chemistry in addition to grades I had from school. These qualifications overall are what I am applying to University with. Although UCAS ignore the Pharmacy Services qualification in terms of points, it is considered to be equal to 2 A levels so in addition to my Chemistry, regardless of my other qualifications from school it allows me to apply with alternative entry requirements.
I have simply posted on here to get an idea of what grades other people have got in their NVQ and overall award given to them. Since I am so paranoid that I won't achieve what I need. However, the best way to find out is to get on with it and finish already!!!!
In terms of 'worth' yes if I don't get what I need, it may as well be useless unless I would be accepted otherwise - which I doubt! Although it is difficult to compare A levels and the NVQ. I can safely say the hours upon hours that I have spent working on my NVQ modules and writing up endless evidence reports tops the hours I spent studying Chemistry.



DizzyB23, thank you for letting me know how you did and which courses did you apply for? Pharmacy? I might drop the Uni concerned an email and see what they would consider acceptable should I only get a Merit. As Andre said this may be where interviews can be taken into consideration. I will find out!

[dizzyb23]

I applied for a uni course in London a few years back and they just needed to see my certificates etc. No mention of grades. Of course, it wasn't a full degree course so maybe things are different. Can't say for sure but I do think chatting to the people running your preferred course would be the best idea. Hope it all goes well anyway.....let us know when you can....