Information on Occupational Studies

There are six Occupational Studies qualifications accredited at Level 1 and six at Level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework, with the following titles:

• Business and Services;
• Construction;
• Creativity and Design;
• Engineering;
• Environment and Society; and
• Technology and Innovation.

There are also two Entry Level qualifications:

• ELQ Occupational Studies; and
• ELQ Extended Occupational Studies.

Around 9000 learners in Northern Ireland achieve Occupational Studies qualifications each year. Around three quarters will progress to training programmes after school. A growing number use the qualifications to go on to:

• Level 2 and 3 qualifications in further education colleges;
• sixth form at school; and/or
• higher education after age 19.

Some schools offer Occupational Studies as an enrichment qualification; this enables learners in Years 13 and 14 to experience different career pathways or develop their life skills.

See the Occupational Studies Progression Routes section for examples of past learners' career pathways.