Cambridge Technicals are a suite of vocational qualifications in a range of subject areas. Designed through consultation with employers and higher education providers, they offer opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to progress in both education and the workplace.
Who are they for?
They can be completed alongside other academic or vocational courses, or on their own as a standalone qualification.
What can I study?
Cambridge Technicals are currently available in the following subject areas at Level 3:
- Art and Design
- Business
- Digital Media
- Engineering
- Health and Social Care
- Information Technology
- Performing Arts
- Applied Science
- Sport and Physical Activity
How do they work?
Each Cambridge Technical is made up of a set number of units, which are either mandatory or optional, with the total number of units studied determined by the size of the Cambridge Technical being completed.
Mandatory units provide the foundation of knowledge and skills required to work in the sector.
Optional units are chosen to make up the remaining number of required units, and provide the flexibility to focus on particular areas of interest for further progression.
Each unit is assessed either though an activity-based assignment, or through an externally-set assessment such as an exam.
What are the entry requirements?
Entry requirements will be determined by the school or college offering the Cambridge Technical. Typically, you may need up to five GCSEs at or above grade 4/C.
Taking Cambridge Technicals this year?
Ofqual's student guide gives you information about this year’s arrangements and explains what support is in place when you're taking exams and assessments.
What can you do next?
Successful completion of a Cambridge Technical can provide opportunities to progress into employment, onto professional development programmes including apprenticeships, or to continue studying, in higher education.
If you’re thinking of continuing on to higher education, it is important to check that the combination of subjects and qualifications you are planning to study will satisfy the requirements of the undergraduate course at the unis or colleges you’re thinking of applying to.