Qualifications Framework

UK Learning College: Awarding Bodies

Awarding bodies design and award qualifications which recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding achieved by a student at a particular level and in a particular subject.

The awarding bodies will check that the courses they accredit are being delivered to their quality standards. This means that you can be sure that when you obtain a qualification accredited by an awarding body you have reached a standard that is consistent throughout the world.

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	Ascentis (previously OCNW) Ascentis is a Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA)-approved national awarding body that designs user-friendly qualifications and supports these with the highest possible standard of customer service. Unusually, it is also a Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)-licensed Authorised Validating Agency for Access to Higher Education. Ascentis was established in 1975 as a partnership scheme between universities and colleges of further education. It was the very first “Open College” and its initial aim was to provide innovative Access to Higher Education Qualifications for adult learners. Over the past thirty one years the membership has increased significantly and the portfolio of qualifications has expanded to include a wide range of curriculum areas. Tel: 01524 845046
	AQA - The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the Unitary Awarding Bodies in the UK. AQA offers a range of qualifications and services, including GCSE, GCE, GNVQ, VCE and Entry Level. AQA's primary purpose is to ensure that students’ attainments are supported by best assessment practice and that their grades are a reliable statement of their achievement. Tel: 01483 506 506
	CACHE CACHE is the UK's only specialist awarding organisation for the children and adult care sectors. CACHE continue to develop the most up to date and relevant qualifications for the new QCF and work closely with Sector Skills Councils to ensure the highest level of quality and a cutting-edge service to their customers, our learners, and the sector.
	Edexcel Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), the country’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, and the University of London Examinations & Assessment Council (ULEAC), one of the major exam boards for GCSEs and A levels. In the UK, Edexcel work with more than 5,000 secondary schools, 450 further education colleges, 70 higher education institutions and more than 700 employers and training providers. As the company responsible for marking the national Key Stage 2 and 3 tests, they are also now working with 20,000 junior schools. Internationally, Edexcel operate in 112 countries and every year more than four million people trust their respected learning programmes and qualifications. Tel: 0844 576 0026
	EDI EDI is an accredited Awarding Body and leading international education company. Its services include accredited vocational and professional qualifications, online performance measures for schools and assessment solutions for awarding bodies and companies. EDI was formed in December 2002 by the merger of GOAL plc with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB). LCCI qualifications have been offered since 1887, and are respected around the world as passports to both employment and higher education. EDI works in collaboration with industry, governments, universities and professional bodies, around the world to ensure its qualifications and assessments are accredited, recognised and relevant. Tel:+44 (0)8707 202 909
	Institute of Certified Bookkeepers The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. It promotes and maintains the standards of bookkeeping as a profession, through the establishment of a series of relevant qualifications and the award of grades of membership that recognise academic attainment, working experience and competence. The Institute’s objectives are: · To promote bookkeeping as a profession · To enable bookkeeping to gain recognition as an integral part of the financial profession · To promote training in the principles of bookkeeping · To develop personal study skills and improve confidence of those persons who undertake a course in bookkeeping · To enable the achievement of a qualification, which may be used to enhance prospects for progression into higher levels of study. · To improve the career prospects of its members. · Consultation with commerce and industry has confirmed and amplified the Institute’s assessment of the need for qualified bookkeepers. Employers both large and small are fully supportive of the objectives of The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.
	NCFE NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in England, the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland, and the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a framework that is replacing the existing National Qualifications Framework (NQF). It is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications, by awarding credit for qualifications and units (small steps of learning). It enables people to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.

The QCF is designed to make sure future qualifications allow a flexible, 'mix and match' approach to meeting the different development needs of the workforce. (Download the Introduction to the Qualification & Credit Framework)

Every unit and qualification in the framework will have both a credit value and a level:

- one credit represents 10 hours of average learning time and so the credit value shows how much time it takes to complete.

- the level shows how difficult the unit or qualification is and this can be anywhere between entry level and level 8.

There are three sizes of qualification in the QCF:

Award (1-12 credits)

Certificate (13-36 credits)

Diploma (above 36 credits) - not linked to the 14-19 Diploma.

For Further Information, Call our Course Advisors on 0800 009 6249 or write to us at enquiries@uklearningcollege.co.uk