Under the ASCL Act Ofqual has a statutory objective to secure that regulated qualifications are provided efficiently and that any relevant sums payable to an awarding organisation represent value for money. Ofqual also has the power to cap fees where necessary.
Uniquely in this country we have a market for qualifications. Part of our role is to help awarding organisations (qualification sellers) and centres, school, colleges , training providers, employers and individuals (qualification buyers) make the most informed decisions. More detailed information on the qualifications market can be found in our qualifications market section.
We aim to ensure that examination fees are fair, transparent and proportionate. As part of our work we commissioned a study on A level and GCSE fees and produced a report on awarding organisation fees for the revised A levels. A commissioned study also reported on the reasonableness of fees for other widely used qualifications in 2009. As well as reviewing the work we are doing the reports outline the key areas that awarding organisations spend examination fees on. Further information can be found in the examination fees section.
To help meets its efficiency objective Ofqual needs to have a clear understanding of the economic environment in which stakeholders operate and the impact of any regulatory decisions on the users of qualifications. The Economic Regulation Advisory Group (ERAG) has been established to engage with and seek views of all participants in the regulated qualifications system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to inform its regulatory approach.
Ofqual has published two studies on aspects of its role as the economic regulator. It will use these studies to inform its development of a framework for economic regulation and fee capping process that Ofqual will be issuing for consultation in October 2010. The reports can be found in our developing a framework for economic regulation section
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