This rise in applicants possessing vocational qualifications poses a challenge for university admissions staff, who often lack in-depth knowledge of these qualifications. More applicants now also study a mixture of academic and vocational subjects. The vocational qualifications landscape in the UK is complex and is changing with the introduction of Tech Levels, applied general qualifications and the expansion of apprenticeships. Variations exist in the types of qualifications available within the UK, too, with Scottish qualifications differing from the rest of the UK in particular.

The image below illustrates broadly the possible progression pathways for upper secondary qualifications.

The UCAS Progression Pathways project aims to improve higher education institutions’ understanding of the non-academic qualifications landscape in order to ensure candidates are admitted to appropriate higher education courses based on suitable entrance qualifications. A range of information and advice tools (including case studies, videos, an animation and an interactive online tool, as well as a report) have been made available on the UCAS website The various tools are targeting learners, parents, university admissions staff and academic staff.

Source of image, statistics, and further reading:
https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/progression_pathways_report