I want to validate a new further education and training programme

Further Education and Training programmes offer learners one of two different systems:

  • Common Award System (CAS) programmes and
  • Non-Common Award System (non-CAS) programmes.

CAS programmes

The majority of current FET programmes offer awards from the Common Award System (CAS), where the award outcomes have already been developed by QQI. A CAS programme may lead to a major, special purpose, supplemental or minor award(s).

Non-CAS programmes

Where there is no appropriate CAS award, it is possible to submit a programme to lead to a brand-new award, termed ‘non-CAS’.  A non-CAS programme may lead to a major, special purpose, supplemental or minor award(s).

A non-CAS programme will map its learning outcomes to a relevant NFQ award type descriptor. This is to provide evidence that the programme can lead to a new QQI award.

Policies and criteria for the validation of programmes of education and training

Schedule of Fees (June 2019)

QQI Policy for Determining Award Standards (2014)

Guidelines for Providers 2014, Operating Principles for PEL Arrangements

Assessment and Standards (Revised 2022)

QQI Policy and Criteria for Making Awards (2017)

Principles and Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of a National Approach to Credit in Irish Higher Education and Training

Quality Assuring Assessment Guidelines for Providers (2018)

Principles and Operational Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Further and Higher Education and Training (June 2005)

Protection of Enrolled Learners: Protocols for the Implementation of Part 6 of the 2012 Act

Protocols for the Protection of Enrolled Learners: Guidelines for Providers

QQI Policy Restatement: Policy and Criteria for Access, Transfer and Progression for FET and HE Providers

Roles, Responsibilities and Code of Conduct for Reviewers and Evaluators (2018)

View the CAS Awards directory

Programme leading to CAS Minor Award(s) <60 credits  

Programme leading to CAS Major, Special Purpose or Supplemental Award 

Programme leading to a new non-CAS Major, Special Purpose, Supplemental or Minor Award > 30 credits

Programme leading to a new non-CAS Major, Special Purpose, Supplemental or Minor Award <= 30 credits

 

Common Documents

FET fee cover note

QHub User Manual

Using QHub for Validation (Video)

04_QQIWebPattern-Certs
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