The syllabuses take account of the shorter teaching and study time available so that while the quantity of work is less, the quality is the same as that required for the equivalent A-level grade. STEP was introduced in 1987 as an admissions examination for entry to the majority of colleges in the University of Cambridge. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GNVQs offer students over the age of sixteen with a new alternative to traditional GCE A-levels and GCSEs. GNVQs provide a broad base of vocationally relevant knowledge and skills in preparation either for entry into work or for progression into higher education. Subjects currently available include Art and Design, Business, Health and Social Care, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, Construction and the Built Environment, Hospitality and Catering, and Science.
Plans are also under way for a number of additional subjects to be introduced in the near future.
A student may take a full GNVQ along with other qualifications such as a GCE A-level, AS courses, a couple of GCSEs or additional GNVQ or NVQ units. All GNVQs include compulsory core skill units which are common to all GNVQs at the same level, irrespective of the vocational area. These core skills are currently Communication, Application of Number, and Information Technology, with units in Personal Skills and Problem Solving also being developed. Edexcel awards nationally recognised qualifications, within the NVQ framework. The examination system in Scotland is different from that in the rest of the United Kingdom.