Do GCSE's expire?

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:55:17 GMT

I never had to do key skills or resit mine and i passed the majority in the mid 80's, so I would def not take that as read... mine were Scottish o grades and standard grades(I was one of the ones in the crossover from o-standard grade) I sat one higher in 1999-2000 , I think, and that was it.

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Elvira — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:47:35 GMT

I think you will find that it is the government, in their infinite wisdom, that requires key skills to be done if GCSEs are older than 5 years, not the college or RCVS. I was accepted on the nursing course in 2006 with 'O' levels sat in 1971 (yes - that old, lol!!). I was not funded and during Level 2 was not asked to sit the key skills. However, I had to do them during Level 3 even though I was not funded. I found it totally ridiculous and a waste of my time!

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Zoe Matthews — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:32:51 GMT

I have just started the new level 3 diploma, I sat my GCSE's in 1989- I checked with the RCVS before I enrolled as I had heard that they expire after 5 years but was told that it is down to the college wether they accept them or not. My college was happy with them even though I had lost the original certificate and had to get a replacment statement of results.

Zoe

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Polly P — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:23:09 GMT

I reckon it must- I checked today with the girls already in college with long ago passes and none of them had to redo anything.

I had to show my original certs when I was interviewed to prove I had them though, as was mentioned, a copy of the results or statement slip won't do.

I had to present mine with my birth certificate and deed poll certificate as the name on my gcse's is different but it was all ok.

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:17:05 GMT

so maybe the stipulation that qualifications should be less than five years old comes from the training college rather than RCVS?

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

SharonSP — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:12:08 GMT

Taken directly from the RCVS website careers info - there is nothing to state there is a time limit on these

To start training, you must have achieved the following minimum level of educational qualifications:

Five GCSEs Grade C and above, or five Scottish Standard Grades 1 to 3. These passes must include English language, mathematics and a science subject.

We also accept a wide range of alternative qualifications of a comparable or higher standard. If you are unsure whether your qualifications meet the requirements, you should contact your local college for advice.

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

PHA86 — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:03:45 GMT

Hi Rebecca,

Your GCSE results are very similar to mine. I took my GCSEs in 2002 and got A-C in every subject apart from Maths, in which I got a D.

So undoubtedly you will have to do Key Skills Maths, however, I was also asked to do Key Skills English along side my ANA course last year. I was told that these had to be done if you had taken your GCSEs longer than 5 years ago, regardless of your results.

Hmm, definitely some grey area there!

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

SharonSP — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:02:03 GMT

I am not sure why, maybe a VNAC issue, if in doubt, contact the RCVS to get clarification from the top.

I am aware of the 5 year rule for apprenticeship funding, but you can still get on the course with your GCSEs but to gain funding, and of a certain age, your GCSE's need to be less than 5 years old from the date of sign up. If they are older than this, it just means you have to top up by doing the KS Level 2 in English/Maths. Functional skills is replacing Key Skills now the NVQ is going, so may change again.

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:55:07 GMT

I still have my original GCSE certs.... all As & Bs.... so why am I being made to do Key Skills in order to qualify?

Is it, as someone mentioned, to do with gov't funding?

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

SharonSP — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:43:55 GMT

[quote user="Claire1234"]

[/quote]

Claire has mainly hit the nail on the head, however the RCVS accept 5 GCSE (inc English, Science and Maths) no matter what age they are. The VNAC's process the paperwork on behalf of the RCVS and have strict guidelines to follow. The main reason why some have to complete additional qualifications (i.e Key skills) is because certificates go missing /damaged etc. Unless you have all the ORIGINAL awarding body certifiates (not a "statement of results") you cannot enrol with the RCVS unless you provide equivalent qualification certificates such as Nat Diploma Animal Management, Key Skills (level 2 full award) but these only cover certain GCSEs and are not direct entry on their own.

Hope this helps achieve your goal

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

albatross — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:38:50 GMT

it is down to the college to decide if they accept you or not.

the RCVS is happy with the5 GCSE's of any age.

I had a big problem last year when trying to start the first year of the NVQ. The RCVS were fine, my local college where I was due to take the course were fine (especially as I also took an HND there ending in 2006).
But the VNAC I would use because the practice was 160 miles from home (there was dedication for you trying to get a job to train - but in the end it came to nothing and I still can't get that first year started!) refused to accept me and they said my GCSE's were too old (ok they were over 30 years ago) but totally ignored the HND (2/3 of a degree!!) and made me do the key skills maths..........

So check what the qualifications are for the ANA and speak to your college. If you need to do more qualifications then now is a good time before you start studying for the ANA.

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Claire1234 — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:13:56 GMT

Hi Rebecca, your GCSEs are fine (English & Science - grades A-C) for entry requirements to enrol as a student nurse with the RCVS. You will have to do the Maths Skill (minimum Level 2) - as the entry requirements are 5 GCSEs (to include English, Science & Maths - or equivalents). The only reason for the five- year currency of GCSEs is for Government funding. However, as you are 25 years old, government funding is extremely limited for students who are 25yrs and older. Check with your college and also your local funding agents. If you are not eligible, then the only thing you have to worry about is getting an appropriate Maths qualification. Again, your college should be able to help you. Good luck!

Claire

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Polly P — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:58:51 GMT

I am rellllatively sure not... I know there are others in work my age or thereabouts who have just started college and they did not mention having to do the key skills thing- I will ask tomorrow!

I wonder though if I have already done it- is it testing and after they say 'you read at level' (1,2,3 etc) and your mathematical ability is (1,2,3 etc) I had to do that in a prior job to become an an NVQ assessor and I am relatively sure it was key skills testing, does it sound like it?

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:42:35 GMT

You may find you have to do your Key Skills at L3 - if not then Bonus!

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Polly P — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:33:15 GMT

Really?! I did mine in 1995 and was accepted for college on the basis of that just fine!

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:33:30 GMT

I did my GCSE's in 1996, and am how having to do my Key Skills to qualify, as the GCSE's expired after 5 years! Despite having done HE study just 2 years ago - grr!

Strangley though, I am assured that, as it stands at the moment, Key Skills can not expire

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:23:34 GMT

Thanks for the reply, looks like i'll have to do my key skills again, maths, english and science, its ok because i'll be in kennels first and at the back of the line to become a trainee nurse, they take on 2 at a time at the practice. So i'll do my key skills or level 2s while im waiting...just annoying that ive done most of these already :/

Re: Do GCSE's expire?

Jenny Cook RVN — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:49:18 GMT

ive been told they expire after 5 years. I did mine 2004 and have been told no longer usable. I have to rely on my key skills qualifications (ICT, english and maths) i did on my national diploma in 2005.