May need to change to NVQ route from Diploma

bonnie

My local college says it not longer provides the diploma route for the AAT advanced certificate. I have already started the certificate, diploma route, distance learning and was hoping to attend classes for the next stage. The only provider that is within 30 miles of where I live is a training centre who charges £1400 for the higher cert. level, this is too expensive for me (the college was half this price).

I do have the choice of moving over to the NVQ level - but I'm not quite sure what this entails. Do I need to work a certain amount of hours in an accounting job? If so could anyone tell me how many? Is it easy to switch over?

Thanks.