Statutory objectives

1.5Ofqual will have five statutory objectives. The first two are directly focused on maintaining standards:

The qualifications standards objective is to secure that regulated qualifications:

1. give a reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding, and
2. indicate a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable regulated qualifications.

The assessment standards objective is to promote the development and implementation of regulated assessment arrangements which:

1. give a reliable indication of achievement, and
2. indicate a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable assessments.

1.6A further two objectives are directed towards public confidence in regulated qualifications and assessments and public understanding of the benefits of regulated qualifications:

The public confidence objective is to promote public confidence in regulated qualifications and regulated assessment arrangements.

The awareness objective is to promote awareness and understanding of:

1. the range of regulated qualifications,
2. the benefits of regulated qualifications to learners, employers and institutions within the higher education sector, and
3. the benefits of recognition to bodies awarding or authenticating qualifications.

1.7The final objective is concerned with economic regulation:

The efficiency objective is to secure that regulated qualifications are provided efficiently and in particular that any relevant sums payable to a body awarding or authenticating a qualification in respect of which the body is recognised represent value for money.

1.8This document describes what success will look like against each of these objectives. Only awarding organisations which have the appropriate resources, expertise and systems to deliver high quality qualifications will be recognised. Recognised awarding organisations will make sure that the knowledge, skills and understanding required by qualifications are fit for purpose and that valid and reliable assessment methods are used. Ofqual will make sure that the standards of comparable qualifications are maintained between awarding organisations and over time. The public and users of qualifications (including higher education institutions and employers) will therefore be confident in the standards of regulated qualifications. Regulated qualifications will provide value for money. And above all, the legitimate interests of learners will be protected.

1.9Ofqual will report annually to Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly on its activities in the previous year against the priorities in its business plan and against the success criteria related to the statutory objectives.