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Internal Course Level & Grading Guide
Internal Course Level & Grading Guide
Our internal levels classify RRS in-house training. External/assured courses follow the awarding/assurance body’s standards. All courses issue a certificate of completion.
Scope & Principles
- Certificates: All courses issue a certificate of completion (digital by default).
- Pass marks & weighting: Defined per course in its marking criteria.
- Practical requirement (L2+): Level 2 and above must include practical skill evidence (e.g., classroom practical, workplace evidence/assessments, portfolio, simulation/video).
- Specialist tracks: Industry-specific/safety-critical programmes (e.g., Track Handback Engineer – Railway) are a minimum Level 4.
- Prerequisites: Set per course (not by level).
- External/assured delivery: Follows the external organisation’s syllabus, grading, certification and renewal rules.
Internal Levels (Intent & Typical Use)
These describe scope and expected performance and are not direct Ofqual/RQF equivalences.
Awareness Course
Foundational awareness of risks, controls and terminology. No practical competence implied.
- Mode: briefing / e-learning
- Assessment: short check/quiz (per course)
- Certificate of completion
Level 1
Introductory knowledge and recall of procedures; supervised application only.
- Assessment: knowledge test (per course)
- Evidence: scenarios/short answers
- Supervision: required
Level 2
Basic practical capability in low-risk contexts under direction; follows set procedures.
- Practical evidence required (observed practical/workplace evidence)
- Assessment: knowledge + practical pass
- Supervision: close
Level 3
Competent performer in routine tasks; selects correct methods with limited support.
- Practical evidence required (workplace logs/photos/supervisor sign-off)
- Assessment: exam + workplace evidence
- Supervision: minimal
Level 4
Advanced practitioner; adapts to non-routine scenarios using risk-based judgement.
- Practical evidence required (case-based/simulation)
- Assessment: case study + practical + interview (per course)
- Peer/assessor review
Level 5
Technical specialist; mentors others and leads tasks in complex environments.
- Practical evidence required (mentoring/leadership logs)
- Assessment: synoptic project/portfolio + viva
- IQA sampling
Level 6
Expert level; designs, evaluates and governs practice; sets standards.
- Practical evidence required (authored procedures/standards)
- Assessment: thesis/report + panel/viva
- Enhanced IQA/external review
Non-Graded Course
Informational or vendor/product familiarisation. Completion acknowledged; no level claim.
- Assessment: optional (per course)
- Certificate of completion
Indicative Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
Planning bands for short courses/blended programmes (not full Ofqual/RQF qualifications). Actual GLH per course may sit outside these bands based on risk and delivery.
| Level | Indicative GLH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness | 1–3 hours | Briefing/induction; theory only |
| Level 1 | 4–8 hours | Intro knowledge; supervised use of procedures |
| Level 2 | 8–16 hours | Includes basic practical/observation |
| Level 3 | 15–30 hours | Routine practice; workplace evidence |
| Level 4 | 30–60 hours | Advanced scenarios; case-based work |
| Level 5 | 60–120 hours | Complex tasks; mentoring evidence |
| Level 6 | 120+ hours | Expert/standard-setting activities |
| Non-Graded | Variable | As required for familiarisation |
Note: GLH reflects tutor-led/assessed time. Additional self-study may be specified per course.
RRS CPD / Points Model
- 1 CPD point = 1 hour of GLH (standard UK CPD convention).
- Daily cap: normally 8 CPD points per day to reflect realistic learning absorption.
- Self-directed study beyond GLH may be recorded for development but does not increase CPD points unless specified by the course.
- Certificates/records show GLH and CPD points awarded.
Assessment & Pass Marks
Pass marks, must-pass sections and assessment weighting are set per course in its marking criteria. From Level 2 upwards, courses must include practical skill evidence (e.g., classroom practical, workplace assessment/evidence, portfolio/logs, simulation/video).
Validity & Renewal
Validity/recertification windows are set per course based on risk, regulatory guidance and client requirements. Higher-risk or time-critical competencies will typically review at shorter intervals than awareness courses.
External Qualification Levels (Assured Delivery)
Where courses are delivered under an awarding/assurance organisation, the external body’s syllabus, grading/marking and renewal rules apply. RRS does not apply internal levels to those courses; internal CPD recording may still appear on learner records for development tracking.
Notes & FAQs
Do these levels equal NVQ/RQF levels?
No. They indicate scope and expectation within RRS. External/assured frameworks are referenced separately and followed where applicable.
Can I claim CPD?
Yes, where stated for each course. CPD points are awarded 1:1 with GLH and listed on certificates/records.