Entry level qualifications: removing unnecessary regulations
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
From August to October 2016, we consulted on proposals to withdraw our regulations which apply only to Entry Level qualifications: the ‘Criteria for Entry Level qualifications’.
We set out why we judged the regulatory requirements were not necessary for the effective regulation of qualifications at Entry Level and represented an unnecessary regulatory burden. We explained our view that they duplicated many of the requirements in our other regulations. Where they added further regulatory requirements they could stop awarding organisations designing qualifications that would best meet users’ needs. We argued that the additional requirements set out in the ‘Criteria for Entry Level qualifications’ could have a detrimental effect on the validity of Entry Level qualifications and lead to extra costs for awarding organisations.
Decisions
Following consultation, we have decided that:
- We will remove the current ‘Criteria for Entry Level qualifications’ with effect from 16 December 2016.
- We will not introduce any new regulations specifically for Entry Level qualifications.
Original consultation
Consultation description
We propose to remove the regulations in ‘Criteria for entry level qualifications’, published in 2011 and originally put in place by our predecessor QCA.
We believe these regulations aren’t necessary to regulate qualifications at entry level and are an unnecessary burden. They duplicate many requirements in other regulations. Where they do add further regulations, we believe they might constrain the most effective design of qualifications, preventing them from meeting users’ needs.
The additional requirements set out in ‘Criteria for entry level qualifications’ could have a detrimental effect on entry level qualifications and lead to extra costs for awarding organisations.
We propose to remove the ‘Criteria for entry level qualifications’ immediately, following this consultation. We see no good reason for keeping these rules.
We are not proposing replacement rules or any other changes to how we regulate entry level qualifications.
Documents
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 December 2016 + show all updates
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Publishing outcomes from the consultation.
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First published.