The aim of the qualification is to enable candidates to develop and demonstrate a range of personal, key and employability skills leading to improved personal effectiveness and broadened experience.  It enables students to manage their own learning through enrichment activities.

The qualification can be achieved at three levels:

• Level 1, equivalent to an E/F at GCSE (25 points),
• Level 2, equivalent to a B at GCSE, (46 points)
• Level 3, equivelant to an A at AS Level (70 UCAS points)

How is it assessed?

To be eligible for the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness, candidates must complete at least 120 hours of challenges, through which evidence of skill development in six areas is demonstrated to the appropriate level. This involves three main strands:

• taking responsibility for planning, organising and carrying out a number of activities or challenges, and evidencing this work in a portfolio
• developing and evidencing the three Wider Key Skills of Working with Others, Improving own Learning and Performance and Problem Solving.
• developing and evidencing the three additional skills of Planning and Carrying out Research, Communicating through Discussion, and Planning and Giving an Oral Presentation.

Evidence for challenges can come from a wide variety of sources from part time jobs and hobbies to coursework from other subjects and school based activities.

Prior learning

There is no prerequisite of prior attainment and students can access the qualification at which ever level suits their needs.

Progression routes

This qualification gives students a good grounding in the key transferable skills looked for by FE / HE providers and employers.  Students can further these skills through the Certificate of PSD qualification.