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Levels of Study: What they mean

Terms such as certificate and diploma mean different things in different industries, countries and contexts.

Examples:

Level 3 can be a diploma in the UK; BUT in AustraliaDiplomas are level 5 or 6

The RHS Certificate II in Horticulture may be level 2 under the UK system; but would be more likely judged as level 3 or 4 under the Australian system

The value of terms such as certificate and diploma have been degraded in some situations. Sometimes certificates are awarded for attendance at a one day event and diplomas given for little more effort than that. Even government endorsed institutions (in some countries) are awarding certificates and diplomas for much less effort than what would have been expected in the past.

Credible qualifications wherever you are in the world are always best judged on who teaches them, and the complexity, content and duration of the course.

Being accredited can be misleading.
Being labeled with a higher number doesn't necessarily mean the level of study is higher.

At the end of the day, the value of any course is seen best by what is learnt and how successful the graduates become.

This school has always maintained high standards and achieving an ACS qualification is not as easy as in some places; but an ACS qualification is substantial.

In awarding even a standard certificate this school is endorsing a student as having achieved the following:

An improved capacity to think laterally and solve problems related to their discipline
A foundation that positions them to evolve and adapt to change in that discipline.
A capacity to operating independently within their discipline, at a technical or semi professional level

Most Levels of study offered fit into the following scheme:

Type of Course	Duration	Purpose
Mini Course	10 or 25 hrs	General Interest, Professional Development or simply an Introduction to study (Try something short and achievable first)
Short Course	100 hrs	Interest (Amateurs), Entry level for a career, or Professional Development (specialist courses)
Certificate	600 or 700 hrs	Commonly entry level. Develops skills to work independently or semi independantly in own business or employed at any level up to a lasrgely unsupervised employee.
Advanced Certificate	900 hrs	Develops a foundation for a career at a supervisory level or operating a small business, taking a limited degree of responsibility
Foundation Diploma	1000 hrs	Provides a foundation for further studies, and employment as a first step toward a professional career.
Associate Diploma	1500 hrs	A basis for working at a technical or managerial level or in self employment; within a narrow scope of operation in a discipline or industry
Diploma	2100 hrs	As with Associate diploma, but a broader scope; or a first step toward an academic career.
Advanced Diploma	2500 hrs	As with Diploma, but an even broader scope.
Bachelors Degree	3000 hrs	Foundation for a fully professional or academic career.

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