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About Qualifications

Open College Network South West Region offers a wide range of national qualifications, approved by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations (Ofqual), These qualifications are suitable for a diverse range of learners, and can be specifically targeted to learners' needs at all levels, from basic and life skills to entry into Access into Higher Education, Level 4 and beyond.

Our qualifications are flexible and responsive to individual learner needs. They are credit based; consisting of individual units of assessment, each with an assigned level and credit value attached. Learners who demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes of a specified unit are awarded credits and can accumulate these over time towards the achievement of a full qualification.

We can also work with providers to develop new national NQF and QCF qualifications. If you are an OCNSWR Recognised Centre please contact your Development Manager. If you wish to enquire about becoming a recognised centre call 01752 831500 for more information.

Understanding Qualifications

Download Ofqual Wheel diagram 137KB

Qualifications are best understood by:

- level of difficulty

- size

- content

Levels are a standard way of comparing how challenging a qualification is and what learners should be able to do once they have successfully completed it. The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) set out the levels against which a qualification can be recognised in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The NQF and QCF are comprised of nine levels (as shown in the below Ofqual Wheel diagram) and set out the basis on which qualifications are approved.

The size of a qualification is dependent, in part, by the framework to which it is accredited. All accredited qualifications can be found on the Register of Regulated Qualifications, where you can also view the level and a basic outline of the content of a qualification and the relevant units.

More Information

Click below for more information on:

Funding

New Qualifications

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)