Programme Validation
Validated Programmes
Summary details of programmes that have been validated can be viewed at:
Providers, Centres, Programmes Searchable Register
Briefings
A briefing on programme validation under the Common Award System is planned for 21 May in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Registration is at 9:30a.m. The briefing commences at 10:00a.m. and finishes at 1:00p.m. Providers who have not previously attended a briefing are advised to do so. You can reserve a place by emailing your provider name, provider or centre code and the name of the representative attending to briefing@qqi.ie. A copy of the presentation from the last briefing held in February is available to download.
Each programme leading to a common award must be validated prior to commencing. Only registered providers, who have agreed quality assurance systems may submit programmes for validation. Applications for validation are made at provider level only and are made online via FBS.
Preparing a programme for submission:
Requires implementation of agreed quality assurance systems, in particular:
• Section B4 Access, Transfer and Progression
• Section B5 Programme Development, Delivery and Review
• Section B6 Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners
• Section B7 Protection for Learners
- Plan the programme for maximum benefit to learners and for your own strategic intent i.e. it is best
to take the time to consider future demand from learners
- Ensure the developed programme meets the requirements of the award around which it is based
- Ensure the programme has been checked and signed off by management as required in the QA
agreement
Use the guidelines documents below:
Programme Validation Levels 1 and 2: Provider Guidelines
Guidelines for Preparing Programme Descriptors (levels 3 - 6) - in particular:
• Section 4: Tools for programme development
• Appendix 1 Guideline Directed and Self-Directed Duration Ranges page 50
• Appendix 2 Major Programme Descriptor Template page 51
• Appendix 3 Express Programme Descriptor Template
Making an application for programme validation
- When the programme has been developed, checked and signed off by management in accordance with QA
procedures a provider can then complete the online application process
- Log in to FBS and go to the Programme Validation section
- For first time users it is recommended that you follow the computer based training facility (bottom link on navigation
menu)
- If the developed programme leads to a major award, use the major award application. If it leads to 1 or more
components (to a maximum of 70% of the credit value of a major award at the level) then the express validation
form can be used
Shared Programmes
Developing programmes for sharing
Providers have an option to come together to develop a shared programme. (see 1.5.4 in Guidelines for Preparing Programme Descriptors).
Applying to use a shared programme
Programmes that are available for sharing will be visible to particular providers if they have been nominated for inclusion. Providers who wish to offer a shared programme to which they are a party should login to FBS. If the programme is available to them, it will be listed under the ‘use a shared programme’ link. Providers must then complete the online application process to use the shared programme. Their application will have to go through an approval process and once that is completed, validation will be assigned to the provider and ownership and responsibility for the programme will be transferred.
Shared Programmes for Department of Education funded providers
Providers have 2 options in using this programme. They may choose to:
Option A: Use the programme as it is. The provider should complete the descriptor called Use a Shared Programme. Following validation, the provider may change up to 20% of the programme content (including adding further programme modules) Notification of cnanges should be given by the provider.
Option B: Use the programme and make some modifications and/or additions. The provider should complete the descriptor called Use and Modify a Shared Programme. The provider will also need to complete a Programme Module Descriptor for each programme module being added.
When the programme is validated,ownership for the programme transfers to each provider. Each provider is then responsible for reviewing and improving the quality of the programme over time, implementing their own quality assured procedures for Programme Development, Delivery and Review (B5).