1Introduction |
1. |
TC Appendix 4E contains a
list of appropriate qualifications for the purposes of TC 2.1.10 E. |
2. |
This Appendix sets out: |
|
(1) |
the criteria which the FCA may take into account when assessing
a qualification provider; and |
|
(2) |
the information the FCA will expect the qualification
provider to provide if it asks the FCA to add a qualification to the
list of appropriate qualifications in TC
Appendix 4 E. |
Criteria for assessing a qualification
provider |
3. |
The FCA will expect the qualification
provider of an appropriate qualification to have, in the FCA's opinion: |
|
(1) |
assessors and qualification developers
who are trained and qualified; |
|
(2) |
valid, reliable and robust assessment
methods; |
|
(3) |
robust governance and a clear separation
of function between its qualification services and any other services it performs,
including effective procedures for managing any conflicts of interest; |
|
(4) |
procedures for reviewing and refreshing
its syllabus and question banks to ensure that they are relevant and up to
date; |
|
(5) |
robust and credible procedures
for assessing a candidate's demonstration of the learning outcomes specified
in the relevant examination standards; |
|
(6) |
robust arrangements for contingency
and business continuity planning in relation to its qualification services; |
|
(7) |
appropriate records management
procedures in relation to its qualification services; |
|
(8) |
procedures for dealing with inappropriate
conduct by candidates, for example, attempting to obtain or obtaining qualifications
dishonestly; |
|
(9) |
robust procedures for the setting
of assessments and marking of results; and |
|
(10) |
adequate resources in order to
be financially viable. |
Information about the qualification
to be provided to the FCA |
4. |
If a qualification provider asks
the FCA to add a qualification to the list of
appropriate qualifications in TC
Appendix 4 E, the FCA will expect the qualification
provider to: |
|
(1) |
where relevant, specify the qualifications
framework within which the qualification is placed; |
|
(2) |
specify the activity in TC Appendix 1 to
which the qualification relates; |
|
(3) |
set out the recommended prior knowledge,
attainment or experience for candidates; |
|
(4) |
where relevant, set out the exemption
policy for a candidate's prior learning or achievement; |
|
(5) |
provide the relevant learning materials
to the FCA together with an explanation of how
those learning materials correspond to the content of the most recent examination
standards. Any content of the examination standards which has been excluded
from the learning materials must be justified; |
|
(6) |
where applicable, explain how grading
is applied; |
|
(7) |
where applicable, explain the provider's
rules of combination; |
|
(8) |
provide details of expected learning
hours or any other similar arrangements; |
|
(9) |
where applicable, specify the level
of the overall qualification with reference to the relevant qualification
framework or, if there is no relevant qualification framework, the European
Qualifications Framework and the percentage of the qualification at that level,
as well as the percentages and the levels for the remainder of the qualification; |
|
(10) |
provide details of any credit for
prior learning included in the qualification together with an explanation
of how it meets the most recent examination standards; and |
|
(11) |
provide an explanation of how the
qualification compares in quality and standard to other similar qualifications. |
Information about the qualification
provider to be provided to the FCA |
5. |
When considering whether to include
or retain a qualification in the list of appropriate qualifications, the FCA may consider, where relevant: |
|
(1) |
whether the qualification provider
has in place suitable arrangements for: |
|
|
(a) |
meeting its statutory duties in relation to equality and diversity;
and |
|
|
(b) |
reducing barriers to learning, for example, for candidates with
learning difficulties; |
|
(2) |
any concerns, issues or investigations
which have been raised by the qualification provider's qualifications
regulator; |
|
(3) |
the annual pass rates of each of
the relevant qualifications; |
|
(4) |
the quality of the service the
qualification provider provides to candidates in relation to qualifications
and its complaints procedures; |
|
(5) |
how the qualification provider
maintains its qualifications to ensure they remain comparable to other qualifications
in the same sector; and |
|
(6) |
whether the qualification provider
gives candidates reasonable notice of any syllabus change, change in method
of assessment or pass standards; |
|
(7) |
information supporting the criteria
in TC Appendix 5G paragraph 3. |
