Recognition and accreditation
An important part of our job is to ensure that awarding organisations who offer and deliver qualifications have good systems in place, and that they are held to account for their performance.
Accredited qualifications can only be offered by awarding bodies that we recognise.
This section explains the process for those organisations wishing to become a recognised awarding body and the process for getting qualifications accredited.
Key exam dates
GCSE
28 April Centres: timetable variation requests to be sent to awarding bodies
A level
12 May First exam on common timetable
Diploma
September First teaching for the first five Diplomas
National curriculum assessments
6-9 May KS3 tests take place
Accreditation
Becoming an awarding organisation
In order to offer accredited qualifications awarding organisation must be recognised by the regulators of external qualifications. The regulators check that the awarding body has the necessary systems in place to deliver national qualifications effectively and to appropriate standards.
Developing qualifications
Once an awarding organisation is recognised they can develop qualifications and submit them to the regulator for accreditation (approval). Before beginning the development process awarding bodies should contact Ofqual.
Qualifications accreditation process
Awarding organisations submit their qualifications for accreditation by the regulator via the web based accreditation system. The regulators check that the qualifications meet the required criteria before accrediting them.
Administering examinations
Awarding organisations must comply with the statutory regulations for external qualifications and the relevant code of practice.