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There is an increasing demand from adults in the United Kingdom for further and higher education, especially on a part-time basis. The policy trend towards accreditation through national qualifications has seen further education (FE) colleges work towards the accreditation of as many of their educational programs as possible. General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) offer a combination of academic and vocational qualifications and provide students with broader choices in terms of employment and further education. FE colleges have recognised the benefits of GNVQs for adult students and have sought to increase participation rates among adults through the use of GNVQs. In response to this trend, the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) undertook a project in 1994 to research the development of GNVQ delivery for adult students. This report represents the first stage in FEDA's analysis and it examines the adult market for GNVQs, compares GNVQs with other courses and qualifications, and describes the benefits of GNVQs for adults. It discusses patterns of attendance and concludes with guidance on designing GNVQ courses for adults.