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The quality assurance process | Key documents  

 
UK BTEC Quality Assurance Handbook 2012–13

The UK BTEC Quality Assurance Handbook 2012–13 is divided into individual chapters to make it simpler to navigate and use. All staff involved in delivery, assessment and verification of BTEC or standalone NVQ/SVQ qualifications should read and understand the relevant chapters.
 
expand Download chapters of the UK handbook

  1. Introduction
This quality assurance handbook is for you to share with all staff involved in delivery, assessment and verification of BTEC or standalone NVQ/SVQ qualifications. It is divided into individual chapters to make it simpler to navigate and use. This introduction will give you a brief outline and the qualifications covered by each chapter.

  2. Key dates
This chapter provides an overview on the key quality assurance dates for internal assessment throughout the academic year.

 3. Roles and Responsibilities
This chapter provides you with an outline of the roles that each individual below will undertake at your centre:

 4. Quality Review & Development
Quality Review & Development is a central part of our BTEC quality assurance model. We carry out an annual visit to every centre running Edexcel BTEC programmes.

 5. Lead Internal Verifier Accreditation
You will need to register and accredit one Lead Internal Verifier for each group of QCF BTEC programmes being delivered, up to and including level 3. Accreditation is the opportunity for your Lead Internal Verifiers to be formally recognised and standardised. 

 6. Quality Assurance for the New Next Generation NQF BTECs (Issue 2)While the principles of quality assurance remain the same, there are some differences between the quality assurance models for QCF and the new next generation NQF BTECs. This chapter explains how we will quality assure the internally assessed elements of these new qualifications.

Please note that if you're delivering both NQF and QCF BTECs, you'll need to follow the relevant process for each qualification. This Issue 2 document gives specific details of the sampling arrangements for Standards Verification of NQF BTEC First Awards.

 7. QCF BTEC Standards Verification
Standards Verification helps ensure that you have accurate assessment and verification records and are assessing learners appropriately, consistently and fairly. QCF Standards Verifiers will sample assessed learner work and provide guidance and support.

 8. External Examination: Standards Verification for Higher Level Programmes
External Examination is the form of Standards Verification undertaken for BTEC Level 4 and 5 Higher Nationals, BTEC Foundation Art and Design and other BTEC Professional Qualifications at levels 4 and above. External Examination relates to centres operating programmes in the manner associated with higher education or qualifications in a professional context.

 9. NVQ/SVQ Standards Verification
Standards Verification helps ensure you have accurate assessment and verification records and are assessing learners appropriately, consistently and fairly. Standards Verifiers will sample assessed learner work and provide guidance and support. This chapter is designed for centres offering standalone NVQs, SVQs or competence-based qualifications. Please note, if you are offering NVQs, SVQs or competence-based qualifications within the BTEC Apprenticeship framework, please refer to the Work-Based Learning: BTEC Apprenticeships Quality Assurance Handbook 2012-13.

 10. Support
We are here to support you at every step. This chapter gives details of all of our support services.

 
 
International BTEC Quality Assurance Handbook 2012-13

The quality assurance process for international BTEC centres is different to the UK process. All staff involved in delivery, assessment and verification of BTEC qualifications outside the UK should read and understand this handbook.
 
expand Download the international handbook

 International BTEC Quality Assurance Handbook 2012-13
This handbook is for centres running BTEC programmes outside the UK. It will provide you with guidance on what you need to do to operate your programmes effectively and gain certification for your students. It is for you to share with all staff involved in management, delivery and assessment of your BTEC programmes.

 
 
Work-Based Learning: BTEC Apprenticeships Quality Assurance Handbook 2012-13

We have developed a single handbook for Work-Based Learning centres delivering BTEC Apprenticeships and BTEC Higher Apprenticeships. We quality assure BTECs, NVQ/SVQs and competence qualifications within the BTEC Apprenticeship framework through standards verification visits across all components where possible. All Quality Nominees, Programme Managers, Internal Verifiers and Assessors at centres offering the Apprenticeship framework should read and understand this handbook.

  
expand Download the BTEC Apprenticeships handbook

 WBL BTEC Apprenticeships Quality Assurance Handbook 2012-13
This handbook is effective from 1 September 2012 until 31 August 2013 and addresses the quality assurance arrangements for Work-Based Learning centres delivering BTECs, NVQ/SVQs and competence-based qualifications within the BTEC Apprenticeship framework. Please note: If your centre is offering standalone BTECs or NVQ/SVQs, please refer to the UK BTEC Quality Assurance Handbook 2012-13.
 

 
 
UK Centre Guides

Here are some useful guides that provide further information and advice for UK centres.
 
expand Download UK centre guides

 Centre Guide to Assessment: Entry Level - Level 3 
The majority of BTEC units are assessed through internal assessment, which means that you can deliver the programme in a way that suits your learners and relates to local need. This guide is designed for BTEC programme teams and provides essential guidance on planning and implementation of internal assessment. It covers all BTEC qualifications from Entry Level to Level 3 and explains the assessment requirements for BTECs accredited on the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF), and the new next generation BTECs accredited on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). All staff involved in the management, delivery and assessment of BTECs should read this guide.

 Centre Guide to Assessment: Level 4-7
Higher level BTEC units are assessed through internal assessment, which means that you can deliver the programme in a way that suits your learners and relates to local need. This guide is designed for higher level BTEC programme teams and provides essential guidance on planning and implementation of internal assessment. It covers all BTEC qualifications from Level 4 to 7 and explains the assessment requirements for BTECs accredited on the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF). It has been developed following feedback from centres and Standards Verifier (EE)s and will ultimately replace the HE Specialist Papers, which we previously published on a number of assessment topics.

 Centre Guide to Internal Verification 
Internal verification is an essential part of BTEC delivery and assessment. It ensures that your internally assessed units  have appropriate assessment opportunities and are assessed accurately to national standards.  This guide is designed for BTEC programme teams and provides essential guidance on the planning and implementation of internal verification. It covers all BTEC qualifications and explains the assessment requirements for BTECs accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), and the new next generation BTECs accredited on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). All staff involved in the management, delivery and assessment of BTECs should read this guide.

 Centre Guide to Managing Quality
This guide will help you to manage BTEC programmes, and to plan and implement an effective quality assurance system.

 Instructions for sending postal samples via courier
We have an account with Parcelforce that you can use, free of charge, for sending Standards Verification samples. This documents guides you through the process. Please note the new login details.

 HEI Licence Centre Guide
This guide supports the Licence Agreement for Higher Education Institutions offering BTEC Customised Higher Nationals and other BTEC level 4-7 Professional Qualifications under Licence, (known as the “HEI Licence”). It provides practical support and information for UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with Taught Degree Awarding Powers operating under licence. It includes guidance on becoming an HEI Licence centre and ongoing administration and communication requirements.

 
 
International Centre Guides

Here are some useful guides that provide further information and advice for international centres.
 

 
 
Forms

We have prepared some useful forms and templates that you may wish to use in your centre. These forms are not mandatory, but using them will help to ensure that you are meeting requirements.
 
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BTEC Assessment Plan.xls BTEC Assessment Plan
Use this form to record when you plan to hand out, assess and internally verify assignments throughout your BTEC programme. The assessment plan must be agreed and signed off by your Lead Internal Verifier. This form may also be used to send to your Standards Verifier before sampling. You may send this electronically if you prefer.

 QCF BTEC: Internal Verification Assignment Briefs
Use these forms to internally verify all assignment briefs for QCF BTECs. Further guidance can be found in the Centre Guide to Internal Verification.

 QCF BTEC: Internal Verification of Assessment Decisions
Use these forms to internally verify samples for QCF BTECs. Further guidance can be found in the Centre Guide to Internal Verification.

 NQF BTECs from 2012: Interim Feedback Sheet (Formative Feedback)
Use this form to give learners formative feedback at the interim submission date for all assignments for NQF BTECs from 2012. This form applies to the new NQF BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts and the new NQF BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning & Development

 NQF BTECs from 2012: Assessment Record Sheet (Summative Assessment)
Use this form to give learners final assessment feedback on the final submission date for all assignments regarding NQF BTECs from 2012. This form applies to the new NQF BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts and the NQF BTEC Level 3 in Nationals in Children's Play, Learning & Development.

 NQF BTECs from 2012: Internal Verification of Assignment Briefs
Use these forms to internally verify all assignment briefs for NQF BTECs from 2012. This form applies to the new NQF BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts and the new NQF BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning & Development.

 NQF BTECs from 2012: Internal Verification of Assessment Decisions
Use these forms to internally verify samples of internal assessment decisions for NQF BTECs from 2012. This form applies to the new NQF BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts and the new NQF BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning & Development.
 
 NQF BTECs from 2012: Learner Assessment Submission Declaration
Learners must authenticate the evidence that they provide for assessment. They do this by signing a declaration stating that it is their own work when they submit it. You may use this form or incorporate a learner declaration in your assignment briefs.
 
 Observation records and witness statements
Use these forms to record observation assessments of practical tasks, or for expert witness testimony. Further guidance can be found in the Centre Guide to Assessment.

 BTEC Programme Sample – Lead Internal Verifier Declaration
Your Lead Internal Verifiers should use this form when sending BTEC samples to a Standards Verifier. It confirms the authenticity of the evidence and that the Lead Internal Verifier is satisfied that the sample meets requirements.
 
 BTEC Sample Material – Learner Consent Declaration
We ask that each learner included in the Standards Verification sample includes a completed copy of this form, consenting to the copying of their work for standardisation purposes.

 Quality Review & Development 2012-13: Centre Engagement Document
This document is for you to use to help you prepare for the Quality Review & Development visit, which looks at the management of your BTEC programmes. You should complete this and send it to your Centre Quality Reviewer before the visit. It also contains the Quality Objectives and Measures used by the Centre Quality Reviewer to make judgements. You may also use this to make notes.

 
 

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