Access to Higher: Education Diploma Compliance Page

Introduction

This page explains how we are handling the migration of Access to HE Courses in the South East Region from the older Access to HE Certificates to the new Access to HE Diplomas by the start of 2008-09.

Key Features of the Access to HE Diplomas

By September 2008, all Access to Higher Education courses recognised by the AVA will need to conform to the QAA Diploma Specifications.

• A new title to reflect the change from Certificate to the Diploma
• A qualification title for each award in your Access programme
• 60 credits in total, 45 at Level 3 minimum, for each qualification
• A Rules of Combination specification for each qualification, with details of which units are included under the title, and any regulations you have set for the award of the Diploma.

If an Access course was validated as a Diploma last year, this process is complete and there is nothing for you to do. If you are running existing Acccess Certificates, then your OCN Development Manager is reviewing the Access qualifications we award already for your centre. We will confirm the Diploma Compliance status of your Access courses in the New Year.

Fast Track Compliance: awarding the Diploma from September 2007

You will be offered this for your courses if they were revalidated between July 2006 and January 2007, and if they were redesigned to match the 60 credit specification, as witnessed in the Panel Report. The AVA will
have contacted the Centre already.

Key Features of Fast Track Compliance

• Your Development Manager has given you information about the process.
• He or she will complete the paperwork and send it to you and the External Moderators for comments and signature.
• This should be returned to the AVA by 28 January 2008
• Approval panel 31st January
• Award of Diploma for current students this year
  

Standard Compliance : awarding the Diploma from September 2008

You will be offered this for your courses if they were revalidated before September 2005. The AVA will contact the Centre in January 2008 to prepare for a Diploma Compliance Panel in June, for September 2008.

Key Features of Standard Compliance

• Your Development Manager will contact you with information about the process in the new year.
• He or she will complete the paperwork and send it to you and the External Moderators for comments and signature.
• This should be returned to the AVA by 23 May 2008
• Approval panel in June
• Award of Diploma for students from September 2008
  

Click here for a detailed guide to the Diploma Compliance Process.

[Go to top]