A research report into users' views of Applied General Qualifications (AGQs) has found that learners are enthused by the ‘applied’ nature of AGQs.

Commissioned by Ofqual, the report looks into how AGQs are viewed, used and valued by stakeholders – learners, school and college staff, and Higher Education (HE). The research asked whether these qualifications are appropriate for entry to HE and whether improvements could be made to the current standards.

Other conclusions from the research report include:

• Applied Generals fulfil an important role in providing pathways for students not suited to, or not inclined towards, more academic or more vocational programmes at Level 3. 
• In some subjects, AGQs are preferred by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), but some HEIs believe that AGQ students enter HE at a comparative disadvantage in their academic learning.
• Staff in schools, colleges and HEIs reported that AGQs are effective at developing students’ team-working, organisation, time management, practical, interpersonal and presentation skills, all of which they agreed can be beneficial to HE study. 
• The absence of significant examination components is a central part of the appeal of AGQs so schools and colleges have concerns about the recent increase in external assessment, implemented from September 2016
• School and college staff are keen to see further AGQ results before making recommendations as to how the qualifications might be changed or improved.