Draft pricing principles for component and Diploma awarding bodies

These pricing principles form a framework within which awarding organisations can participate in the operation of the Diploma, while ensuring that the prices charged are reasonable.

Educational benefit

Evidence from work on qualification pricing shows that the main factor affecting a centre’s choice of awarding organisation is the suitability of the qualification rather than its price.

1. Choice for the Diploma should mainly be based on what centres perceive to be of the best educational benefit for their learners, and this should not be significantly compromised by considerations of price.

Transparency of pricing

The pricing of constituent qualifications in the Diploma catalogue will impact on the cost of the whole Diploma.

2. Markets work more efficiently when participants have the information they need to make informed decisions. The fees charged by Diploma awarding bodies for the award and certification of the Diploma, and by component awarding bodies for principal learning and the project, must be transparent. Centres must be able to see what they are paying for, including additional products and services, and be able to make comparisons between competing providers.

Notice period for the implementation of fees

The Diploma qualification is a significant new qualification and the principal learning within it is a new industry-led programme of study. Therefore, the initial pricing of both the Diploma and principal learning will have a significant impact on the take-up of these qualifications.

3. Centres should have access to timely information about the nature, content and price of qualifications. Pricing of principal learning, the award and certification of the Diploma and any relevant additional products and services that impact on the cost of the whole Diploma should be publicised appropriately in advance of when the fee is due to be paid, so that centres can plan their budgets.

Value for money

4. The fees relating to the award of the Diploma, including for Diploma certificates and transcripts, and for all components of the Diploma, must represent value for money.