Public confidence in qualification system in Wales remains high

As we take the next step back to pre-pandemic assessment arrangements, public confidence in qualifications in Wales remains high.

Research conducted for Qualifications Wales suggests that GCSE, AS and A levels are all seen as ‘well understood’ and ‘trusted’ qualifications, which provide good preparation for further study.  

The survey was carried out by Beaufort Research and commissioned by Qualifications Wales as an annual survey of the general public to measure confidence in non-degree qualifications in Wales and in the qualification system. 

Key findings 

AS/A level: agreement was high that ‘AS/A levels are good preparation for further study’ and that ‘AS/A levels are trusted qualifications’. 

GCSE: GCSEs are seen as ‘a trusted qualification’ that is ‘well understood’ by the Welsh public.  

Welsh Baccalaureate: awareness of the Welsh Baccalaureate remains steady among the public, with almost 80% of adults saying they have heard of it.  

Vocational qualifications: Just over eight in ten Welsh adults in 2022 agreed that ‘vocational qualifications, taken in school, are valuable for young people’s futures’, while around seven in ten agreed that ‘achieving a vocational qualification at age 18 instead of A levels is at least as valuable for young people’s futures as achieving A levels’. 

Read the full report, Survey of Public Opinions of Non-Degree Qualifications in Wales 2022, on the Qualifications Wales website.