Ofqual - Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation

Our processes for regulating awarding organisations have changed. If you are an awarding organisation find out how the changes affect you.
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Our regulatory responsibilities

Regulating Awarding Organisations

The Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 established us as the independent regulator of qualifications and assessments in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. This legislation means we’re responsible for:

  • Maintaining standards in qualifications and assessments
  • Raising awareness of any issues while maintaining public confidence in the qualifications system
  • Ensuring the qualifications industry is as efficient as possible

Our objectives

As set out in the Act our main objectives are:

  • to secure that qualifications give a reliable indication of skills, knowledge and understanding and that the attainment level is consistent over time
  • to secure that assessments give a reliable indication of skills, knowledge and understanding and that the attainment level is consistent over time
  • to promote public confidence in regulated qualifications and assessments
  • to promote awareness of the range of qualifications and the benefits of regulated qualifications to the public
  • to secure efficiency and value for money in regulated qualifications

Regulating qualifications

Regulating Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) assessments

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is responsible for the EYFS. Our duty is to keep all aspects of EYFS assessment arrangements under review.

Read more about National Assessment arrangements

 

Regulating National Curriculum assessments

The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) develops and delivers National Curriculum assessments. Our duty is to ensure the QCDA maintain standards and have fair procedures and assessments. The criteria for these standards are set out in the Regulatory Framework for National Assessments (2011)

 

Regulating the Qualifications and Credit Framework

We are responsible for the criteria against which QCF qualifications are accredited and awarding organisations are recognised. Each type of qualification and organisation has their own specific regulatory criteria.

More on qualifications and assessments

Find out more about regulated qualifications

The Register of Regulated Awarding Organisations and Qualifications

The Register is where we publish details of all currently recognised awarding organisations and the regulated qualifications that they offer.

Visit The Register.

For further information see the frequently asked questions.

Changes to our regulatory approach

We are changing the way in which we regulate awarding organisations and their qualifications to deliver the expectations placed on us in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (the Act).

As the changes to the strategic model for regulation are introduced from May 2011, it is important that each awarding organisation understands what is expected of it, and what it should expect of us.

Awarding Organisations can read more about our new regulatory approach.

Economic regulation

Economic regulation

We are required to secure that regulated qualifications are provided efficiently and that any relevant sums payable to an awarding organisation represent value for money. We also have the power to cap fees where necessary.

Find out more about economic regulation.


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