BTEC Higher Nationals quality assurance
Edexcel’s quality assurance system for all BTEC higher level programmes on the QCF at Levels 4-7 ensures that:
- centres have effective quality assurance processes to review programme delivery
- the outcomes of assessment are to national standards.
Step 1: Approval Process
If you are an existing approved BTEC centre, or have just gained centre approval status, you will now be able to gain online qualification approval.
You can only gain online approval for nationally accredited BTEC Higher National qualifications and Specialist Courses at Levels 4-7 where you already hold qualification approval at the same level or higher, and where external verification has taken place.
Schools, FE and HE centres can gain online approval for BTEC qualifications up to QCF Level 3. Qualifications from Levels 4-7 will be made available if you are running BTEC qualifications at those levels and have had successful verification. Level 4-7 qualifications will be available through the Approvals – other Centres and Higher Awards menu on Edexcel Online.
Training providers and employer centres will be able to gain online qualification approval up to QCF Level 7 as long as they currently deliver BTEC qualifications at that level and have had successful verification.
If you do not meet these requirements, or if you wish to apply for a programme excluded from online approval, then you will need to complete the BTEC Qualification Approval form.
Please see page 4 of the Vocational centre and qualification approval document or visit Centre and qualification approval for BTEC (QCF) for more information.
Step 2: Monitoring the centre’s internal systems
Once a centre has successfully gained approval, we will work with you to ensure the approval criteria continue to be applied consistently across all BTEC programmes.
Edexcel will appoint External Examiners (EEs), and give all centres the opportunity to present evidence that their systems continue to be suitable, and are used to carry out the required assessment functions.
This includes reviewing:
- the consistent application of policies affecting the learner
- registrations
- appeals
- effective internal examination
- standardisation processes.
Working with other recognised codes of practice
Where appropriate, centres may present their operational evidence within a recognised code of practice (e.g. the code of practice of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education). In such cases, Edexcel may independently confirm that the procedures are operating within our quality guidelines, and will confirm – or not – whether it is appropriate to continue using these systems.
We’re here to support you
If the monitoring process identifies any problems with the ongoing effectiveness of the assessments systems, we will support the centre in implementing appropriate corrective measures.
If you have any questions about the monitoring process, our Curriculum Development Managers are on hand to support you. To book an appointment with your Curriculum Development Manager, please get in touch with your regional office by calling 0844 463 2535.
Step 3: Independent assessment review
All internal assessment outcomes for BTEC qualifications at Levels 4-7 on the QCF are subject to an independent assessment review by an Edexcel-appointed External Examiner.
The External Examiner will:
- confirm that internal assessment is to national standards and allow certification
or
- make recommendations to improve the quality of assessment outcomes before certification is released
or
- make recommendations about the centre’s ability to continue to be approved for the qualifications in question.
In the unlikely event that a centre is no longer able to quality assure programme delivery or assessment standards, Edexcel would reserve the right to withdraw either qualification or centre approval, although these measures would only be taken if all other options had been thoroughly explored and exhausted over a period of time.