Rail Services (7596)

Last Updated: 03 Aug 2023
This qualification covers all aspects of working in operational and customer facing roles in the rail industry including cleaning, security, customer services and sales, driving and operating signals.
The Level 2 NVQs in Rail Services are work-based qualifications designed for those employed within the rail transport sector. The main objective of these qualifications is to offer the opportunity to prove competence of industrial performance, knowledge and understanding and to recognise the ability of individuals working in the sector.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You can choose the qualification that demonstrates the specialist knowledge and skills you have developed such as:

  • Maintaining a safe and secure working environment
  • Operating and controlling trains in service
  • Driving trams
  • Signal operations
  • Providing a clean and tidy environment
  • Providing travel products.

You will learn on the job in the work environment.

Assessment will also take place in the workplace and will include a portfolio of evidence to meet the criteria of the qualification.

Level 2
You are working in the rail industry and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of roles with the rail industry, including:

  • Train driver
  • Tram driver
  • Signaller
  • Rail traffic controller
  • Gateline assistant
  • Rail station assistant
  • Train crew member.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need qualified assessors. You can train internal members of staff or recruit specially.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

There are no eligibility requirements.

Level 2

Level 2 will suit you if you are working in the rail industry and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised.

There are seven different pathways available at Level 2:

  • NVQ Certificate in Rail Services (Passenger Services)
  • NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Passenger Services)
  • NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Tram/Light Rail Vehicle Driving)
  • NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Control Room Operations)
  • NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Driving)
  • NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Signal Operations)
  • NVQ Certificate in Rail Services (Shunting).

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Possible careers include:

  • Train driver
  • Tram driver
  • Signaller
  • Rail traffic controller
  • Gateline assistant
  • Rail station assistant
  • Train crew member.
Level 2 NVQ in Rail Services (Passenger Services) (7596-20)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Passenger Services)

  • Accreditation No: 500/9554/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 37 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 264 - 485 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 370 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £137.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Rail Services (Passenger Services)

  • Accreditation No: 500/9568/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 28 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 201 - 430 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 280 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £137.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 NVQ in Rail Services (Tram/Light Rail Driving) (7596-21)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Tram/Light Rail Driving)

  • Accreditation No: 500/9556/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 46 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 267 - 356 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 460 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £137.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 NVQ in Rail Services (Control Room Operations) (7596-22)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Control Room Operations)

  • Accreditation No: 500/9555/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 336 - 423 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 500 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £137.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 NVQ in Rail Services (Driving) (7596-23)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Driving)

  • Accreditation No: 500/9557/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 59 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 522 - 522 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 590 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £137.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 NVQ in Rail Services (Shunting) (7596-25)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Rail Services (Shunting)

  • Accreditation No: 500/9539/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 32 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 246 - 246 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 320 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £137.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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For Learners

Related Qualifications

Browse some of our related qualifications:

> (6499) Diplomas in Rail Engineering Competence

> (6497) Diplomas in Rail Engineering Knowledge

> (7484) Rail Services

> (7598) Rail Services

> (7597) Railway Engineering

Related apprenticeships

This qualification can be found as a part of these related apprenticeships:

> (9788) Rail Apprenticeships