What is the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)?
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is the regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and the regulator of vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
Ofqual collaborates closely with the UK government and the Department for Education on general qualifications, such as GCSEs and A levels, and with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on vocational qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is the regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and the regulator of vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
Ofqual collaborates closely with the UK government and the Department for Education on general qualifications, such as GCSEs and A levels, and with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on vocational qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs
It is responsible for ensuring that all qualifications and assessment meet high quality standards by monitoring awarding organisations, assessments and examinations and taking the necessary action to ensure that the qualifications meet the needs of learners, higher education institutions and employers. The Ofqual is responsible to the Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
What Does the Ofqual Do?
The main “job” of the Ofqual is to ensure that the learners are provided an access to high quality qualifications which meet appropriate standards. This is achieved by monitoring the awarding bodies and taking action whenever and wherever there is a risk to quality.
The Ofqual also makes sure that the qualification by awarding organisations are of comparable quality with other qualifications in the UK and overseas, that the candidates have an equal access to qualifications and assessment, and encouraging a debate about topics such as standards of qualifications.
Source:
1. Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
2. The relationship between Qualification Frameworks for Scotland, England & Europe
For more information: Regulated Qualification Framework
What Does the Ofqual Do?
The main “job” of the Ofqual is to ensure that the learners are provided an access to high quality qualifications which meet appropriate standards. This is achieved by monitoring the awarding bodies and taking action whenever and wherever there is a risk to quality.
The Ofqual also makes sure that the qualification by awarding organisations are of comparable quality with other qualifications in the UK and overseas, that the candidates have an equal access to qualifications and assessment, and encouraging a debate about topics such as standards of qualifications.
Source:
1. Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
2. The relationship between Qualification Frameworks for Scotland, England & Europe
There are eight (8) qualification levels under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for general and vocational qualifications regulated by Ofqual.
A rough comparison of levels 1 to 8 to existing qualifications in England is:
1 – GCSEs (grades 3-1: previously D-G)
2 – GCSEs (grades 9-4: previously A*-C), CSE grade 1, O level grade A,B or C
3 – Advanced level (A level) grade A-E, AS level
4 – Vocational Qualification level 4, CertHE, HNC
5 – Vocational Qualification level 5, Foundation Degree, DipHE, HND
6 – Bachelor’s Degree (with or without honours)
7 – Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma, PGCE
8 – Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil or PhD).
A rough comparison of levels 1 to 8 to existing qualifications in England is:
1 – GCSEs (grades 3-1: previously D-G)
2 – GCSEs (grades 9-4: previously A*-C), CSE grade 1, O level grade A,B or C
3 – Advanced level (A level) grade A-E, AS level
4 – Vocational Qualification level 4, CertHE, HNC
5 – Vocational Qualification level 5, Foundation Degree, DipHE, HND
6 – Bachelor’s Degree (with or without honours)
7 – Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma, PGCE
8 – Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil or PhD).