Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Yes. The AdvSBW is a level 3 qualification that is equivalent to an A level. It is the same size (360GLH) and has the same grading (A*-E). However, it is not called a GCE A level.

The following tariff points appear for AdvSBW on the UCAS website. They are equivalent to the A level tariff points:

Calculate your UCAS Tariff points | UCAS

Most universities in the UK accept the AdvSBW within their entry requirements. However, there is not a single approach. Entry policies can vary between universities and may also differ across courses within the same university. Learners are therefore advised to check individual university and course entry requirements carefully before beginning their UCAS application process.

Some universities accept the AdvSBW through the UCAS Tariff, while others recognise it as equivalent to an A level qualification. In some cases, learners with the AdvSBW qualification may receive a reduced A level grade offer.

The AdvSBW supports learners to develop valuable skills such as independent research, critical thinking, problem-solving and effective communication, which are highly regarded by universities. For more highly selective universities that do not formally include it in their entry requirements, they have stated policies valuing the AdvSBW qualification and noting that it can strengthen an application, as learners can draw on the skills they have developed, particularly through completion of the Individual Project.

The focus of the level 3 AdvSBW qualification is the development and assessment of the four integral skills. 

The integral skills are as follows: 
•    Planning and organising
•    Creativity and innovation
•    Critical thinking and problem solving
•    Personal effectiveness

These skills are important to HE and employers. 

The Personal Project qualifications taken pre-16 from 2027 will assess these integral skills, albeit at lower levels (entry level 1 to level 2). This makes the AdvSBW a natural stepping stone for learners wishing to enhance these crucial skills.

Developing a vision for curriculum design - Hwb

The AdvSBW continues to support and assess learners’ development of the integral skills of Curriculum for Wales, which we know are important for success in higher education and to employers.

It is expected that the AdvSBW be available and offered to all learners aged 16 to 18 on a 2-year, level 3 course.

Whilst all eligible learners should be encouraged to undertake the AdvSBW, schools and FEIs should take into account the individual needs and circumstances of learners, as they would for any qualification.

This represents the policy established by the previous government and is subject to decisions taken by new Ministers.

Medr publishes the consistent performance measures for post-16 learning, which cover school sixth forms and further education colleges. The achievement measures include specific indicators for the AdvSBW that look at completion over the two years of the qualification and grade outcomes. Detailed provider level reports covering these measures are shared with individual providers, local authorities and Estyn.

As part of the Quality Framework, Medr will consider data in relation to a range of outcomes (including the AdvSBW) to determine any risk to the quality of tertiary education. Where necessary, data will be a trigger for a conversation with providers in the first instance, to facilitate an understanding of context. Interventions relating to quality will be integrated within Medr's wider regulatory framework and will be proportionate to the risk presented.

Employers from across the UK helped to design the AdvSBW. They value the qualification because it develops skills such as problem‑solving, critical thinking, communication and independent working – skills that many employers report are in short supply. Evidence from employer research in Wales highlights ongoing skills gaps, meaning qualifications like the AdvSBW particularly through the Individual Project, help learners demonstrate the skills employers increasingly need.

The three projects that make up the qualification are assessed through NEA. There are no examinations for the qualification.

Each centre will have their own internal deadlines for the completion of work and WJEC has strict deadlines for submission of work for external moderation. Key dates are published on their website. The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification is awarded in each January and Summer exams/assessment series, with results provided to centres and learners in March and August respectively.  

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is not a statutory requirement for post 16 learners. However, Welsh Government policy strongly encourages all sixth forms and further education colleges to include it within their full time learning programmes.

Local authority–maintained sixth forms and further education institutions in Wales will be able to draw down Medr funding for delivering the AdvSBW. This funding is not allocated as a separate or dedicated stream, but rather, it is incorporated within existing programme funding arrangements.

The AdvSBW is a standalone, skills based level 3 qualification, equivalent in size and academic demand to an A level:

• In full time level 3 vocational programmes, the AdvSBW forms part of the Core element, with 135 guided learning hours included within the individual programme funding calculation.
• In full time level 3 General Education programmes, it is treated as a main qualification, equivalent to an A level subject, with 135 guided learning hours counted for programme funding purposes.

Yes, WJEC’s Regional Support Team provide support for centres and can help them plan. 

The Regional Support team webpage provides more information, or the team can be contacted on SkillsSupportCymru@wjec.co.uk

WJEC’s fees document provides details of the cost of the AdvSBW qualification. Refer to the Welsh Baccalaureate section of the fees document.

No, there is no registration for the AdvSBW. Candidates will only need to be entered for each Project and the qualification cash-in.

WJEC have produced a digital branding pack for all centres, which can be found under ‘Support for Teachers’ on the Key Documents page. The pack includes designs for leaflets, posters and banners that centres can adapt and have produced themselves, as well as all the logos for the Skills and Projects. WJEC does not provide hard copies.

WJEC provides Guidance on the use of AI with all their qualifications. They have also created a handy infographic to support students.