Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) FAQs

Is there a list of approved Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) available?

AQA-City & Guilds has put together sample ASL pathways to demonstrate some of the options available to learners, and the full list of approved qualifications can be found on the NDAQ website. It should be noted that, at Level 3, some universities are requesting specific ASL to assist with entry to certain courses, but that such demands are not an AQA-City & Guilds requirement.

Will there be duplication between ASL and Principal Learning?

Each consortium is responsible for selecting the ASL offered to learners, from the NDAQ catalogue of approved qualifications. This list of approved qualifications is intended to provide learners with wide choice of ASL that doesn’t duplicate Principal Learning, however it at the discretion of the consortium to provide learners with a broad choice an opportunities to specialise or broaden their programme without duplication.

Can NVQs be used as Additional or Specialist Learning?

At this stage only language NVQs are approved for ASL.

If a learner has achieved qualifications in year 11 which are approved as Additional or Specialist Learning, can they carry these forward to a Diploma in year 12?

Yes. They can carry forward Additional and Specialist Learning qualifications as long as they were taken within the allowed timeframe and the qualifications are currently in the Diploma catalogue.

Which ASL should we choose?

This is at the consortium’s discretion, provided that the course(s) chosen are amongst those listed on the NDAQ website. It should be noted that, at Level 3, some universities are requesting specific ASL to assist with entry to certain courses, but that such demands are not an AQA-City & Guilds requirement.

What is the Diploma catalogue or register?

The Diploma catalogue is now called the register (RITS). To view the Principal Learning and Project qualifications available, as well as a full listing of the Functional Skills or Additional and Specialist Learning options relevant to the specific line of learning and level, visit the Ofqual website.

The register enables centres to put together their Diploma offers, and learners are able to view combinations of qualifications that may be available as part of a Diploma package in their area.

Where can I find more information on ASL?