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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.

Mature student pushing wheelbarrow

Key exam dates

GCSE
17 May Date of first exam on the common timetable 

A level
17 May Date of first exam on the common timetable 

Diploma
19 May Date of first exam on the common timetable 

National curriculum assessments
10-14 May Key Stage 2 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.