Recognition requirements for all component awarding bodies

Expertise

The Diploma comprises principal, additional and specialist, and generic learning components including functional skills, as outlined in the Criteria for accreditation of Foundation, Higher and Advanced Diploma qualifications version 2.

1. Component awarding bodies must already be recognised by Ofqual, DCELLS and CCEA as awarding organisations for regulated qualifications. 1

2. Each constituent qualification submitted to Ofqual for accreditation for the Diploma must be within a component awarding body’s existing plan of provision. If the proposed provision is outside the component awarding body’s plan of provision, an extension to the plan of provision must be recognised before submission of the qualification for accreditation.

The recognition requirements for component and Diploma awarding bodies apply in addition to the recognition requirements that apply to all awarding organisations for regulated qualifications as published in The statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2004.

3. Component awarding bodies must have procedures in place to ensure that their staff and/or associates are competent in those aspects of the Diploma that make it distinct from their existing provision, or that they have access to appropriate training and guidance.

Provision of constituent qualifications

The Diploma catalogues provide information on all of the Diploma qualifications and the constituent qualifications for award of the Diplomas.

4. Component awarding bodies must apply to have one or more constituent qualifications for the Diploma included in a Diploma catalogue.

Corporate governance

Existing requirements on enquiries and appeals and malpractice remain in place for constituent qualifications for additional and specialist learning.

5. Component awarding bodies working in a partnership to offer constituent qualifications for the Diploma with other awarding organisations must provide a written statement of each organisation’s responsibilities, including the identification of a lead awarding organisation.

6. If a partnership is being set up specifically for principal learning or the Diploma, it must meet awarding organisation recognition requirements 2 together with the recognition requirements for component awarding bodies. The partnership will be referenced as a new awarding organisation.

Information and guidance

7. When providing information and guidance on the Diploma, component awarding bodies must ensure that centres are:

a. provided with clear information on how the component awarding body’s qualifications can contribute to the Diploma

b. advised that the Diploma catalogues provide information on all of the qualifications that can contribute to the Diploma.

Requirements for use of the Diploma aggregation service

The Diploma aggregation service is designed to enable the data sharing, results aggregation, grading and supporting functions required for the operation of the Diploma as a composite qualification. Further information is available at www.qcda.gov.uk/das

8. Component awarding bodies must notify the Diploma aggregation service of all the results of constituent qualifications in the Diploma catalogues for learners that have a verified and valid ULN and a learner account.

9. Component awarding bodies must meet requirements for the use of the Diploma aggregation service and must demonstrate their compatibility with the administrative system developed for Diploma awarding by the Diploma aggregation service.

10. Component awarding bodies must have formally agreed the commercial terms and obligations governing the provision of the Diploma aggregation service in order to open a Diploma aggregation service user account and use the system in live operation.

Unique learner numbers (ULNs)

Centres should ensure that their Diploma learners have an open learner account as soon as they begin their Diploma programme of study. The verified ULN is a mandatory part of the learner account. The centre may open the account directly with the Diploma aggregation service. Requirements for use of the Diploma aggregation service.

11. Component awarding bodies must meet requirements for verification of ULNs for Diploma learners.

Withdrawal of a component awarding body

12. If a component awarding body wishes to withdraw its services, it must negotiate a timescale with Ofqual for withdrawal, which, where appropriate, will allow for alternative arrangements to be made for centres and learners. The component awarding body must ensure that adequate notice is given to protect the interests of learners.

  1. Component awarding bodies include those awarding organisations that provide principal learning, the project, qualifications for additional and specialist learning, and functional skills offered for Diploma learners. [↩]
  2. Ofqual has developed a streamlined process for this purpose. [↩]