ILR specification: 2022 to 2023

Prior Level: Field

Definition

The prior attainment at the time relevant to the learning agreement.

Reason Required

To allow analysis of the level of prior attainment of learners, to help with value-added analysis and to ensure funding and delivery is targeted at key groups. Validation of funding eligibility for Adult Skills and ESF funded learners.

Schema Definitions

• XML Entity Name: PriorLevel
• Field Length: 2
• Data type: xs:int
• Minimum occurrences: 1
• Maximum occurrences: 1
• Part of: PriorAttain

Collection Requirements

Attribute Codes

Code	Definition
1	Entry Level
2	Level 1
3	Level 2
4	Full Level 2
5	Level 3
6	Full Level 3
7	Level 4
8	Level 5
9	Level 6
10	Level 7 and above
97	Other qualification, level not known
98	Not known
99	No qualifications

Notes

Mapping of these codes from the previous year is published in the Migration Specification (Appendix B).

For non-funded learners, this data is not required for Local Authority funded Community Learning provision (Funding Model 99 and Source of funding 108)

• Use the prior attainment levels table for a full list of level definitions.

• The data captured in this field should be the learner's prior attainment when they first agree a new learning agreement with the provider.

• Where a learner returns to a provider after an absence of more than one teaching year, then the Prior attainment should be re-evaluated and updated.

• You must return complete data and must only return 'not known' in exceptional circumstances as the Prior attainment field is very important for ESF match funding.

Prior attainment levels table

The information shown in the table below provides a guide to the overall attainment level of learners that have achieved various combinations of qualifications. The levels shown do not necessarily coincide with the level at which individual qualifications are set. For example, GCSEs are at level 1/2, but the level of attainment achieved by a learner is dependent on the grade they achieve. Where a learner attains a grade D-G or 1-3 this would be considered a level 1.

Whether a learner’s prior attainment is a full level 2 or full level 3 will depend on whether the qualification was defined as a full level 2 or full level 3 when the learner started to study it. This is because the qualifications that have been defined as full level 2 and full level 3 have changed over time. The qualifications listed in the table below are examples of qualifications which may have been full in the past.

The guidance has been updated to reflect the introduction of the Regulated Qualification Framework RQF from the 1 October 2015 and the decoupling of AS Levels from A Levels from September 2015.

Prior attainment level descriptors	Qualification equivalent (incorporating NQF and QCF and RQF)
Entry level (code 1)	QCF qualifications at Entry level Certificate in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL at Entry level RQF qualifications at Entry Level English and Maths qualifications at Entry Level Key skills at entry level Functional Skills at entry level Essential Digital Skills qualification
Level 1 (code 2)	GCSE/O Level (at grades D-G or fewer than 5 at grades A-C) CSE grade 2 and 3 1 AS Level (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015) QCF qualifications at Level 1 Foundation 14-19 Diploma Functional Skills Certificate in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL at Level 1 Level 1 Key Skills Level 1 Principal Learning Introductory Diploma Introductory Certificate GNVQ Foundation NVQ Level 1 RQF qualifications at Level 1 Technical Awards in the Key Stage 4 Performance Tables Essential Digital Skills qualificatons
Level 2 (code 3)	Vocational and technical qualifications at level 2 (not on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement list) Functional skills at level 2 ESOL (skills for life) Technical Awards in the Key Stage 4 Performance Tables Performing Arts Graded Examination qualifications
Full level 2 (code 4)	GCSE/O Level (5 or more GCSEs grades A*-C) GCSE (9-1) (5 or more GCSEs grade 4 or above) 2 or 3 AS Levels (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015) CSE Grade 1 (5 or more) 1 A Level Higher 14-19 Diploma QCF Diploma level 2 QCF Certificate level 2 at 13 or 14 credits undertaken before 2014 to 2015 Level 2 Principal Learning NVQ level 2 GNVQ Intermediate Technical Certificates in the 16-19 Performance Tables QCF Certificate level 2 at 15 credits and above From 1 August 2015 vocational qualifications of 150 GLH or more that are on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement qualification list.
Level 3 (code 5)	Vocational and technical qualifications at level 3 (not on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement list) Core maths Technical qualifications (part of T levels) Components of international baccalaureate Performing Arts Graded Examination qualifications Pre U qualifications
Full level 3 (code 6)	A Levels (2 or more advanced level passes) 4 or more AS Levels (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015) QCF Diploma Level 3 QAA Access to HE Advanced 14-19 Diploma GNVQ Advanced NVQ level 3 AVCE double award Tech Levels which are in the 16-19 Performance Tables Applied Generals which are in the 16-19 Performance Tables (from 1 August 2015) QCF Certificate at Level 3 which is 30 to 36 credits From 1 August 2015 vocational qualifications of 300 GLH or more that are on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement qualification list.

Prior attainment level descriptors	Current Ofqual Regulated Framework (RQF)	Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Level 4 (code 7)	QCF Award Level 4 QCF Certificate Level 4 QCF Diploma Level 4 HNC RQF qualifications Level 4	Certificates of higher education
Level 5 (code 8)	QCF Award Level 5 QCF Certificate Level 5 QCF Diploma Level 5 HND RQF qualifications Level 5	Foundation degrees
Level 6 (code 9)	QCF Award Level 6 QCF Certificate Level 6 QCF Diploma Level 6 RQF qualifications Level 6	Bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas
Level 7+ (code 10)	QCF Award Level 7 QCF Certificate Level 7 QCF Diploma Level 7 RQF qualifications Level 7	Doctorates
	QCF Award Level 8 QCF Certificate Level 8 QCF Diploma Level 8 RQF qualifications Level 8	Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas