University admissions body UCAS has given points to an NVQ for the first time since the qualification came into existence in 1999, demonstrating the increased recognition and value of vocational alternatives in education.

The NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Accounting offered by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), the leading qualification and membership body for accounting staff, will now be worth 160 UCAS points.

The NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Accounting was benchmarked against the accountancy A-level and awarded additional points for its practical work-related skills content that allows students to apply what they have learnt. The qualification’s Tariff will officially come into effect for entry to higher education for 2009 onwards.

Jane Scott Paul, Chief Executive of the AAT said: “We are delighted with this decision by UCAS and believe it will go a long way towards dispelling some of the inherent snobbery that exists in the UK towards vocational learning. For too long vocational training has been considered the poor relation to academic studies. We have always strived to combat this by providing an Accounting Qualification which is a recognised alternative to a university degree and provides a well-established progression route to all the UK ’s senior accountancy qualifications. We hope that this is just the first of many vocational qualifications to be accredited in this fashion.”