Ofqual

Third Chief Regulator's Report and Ofqual’s University Challenge

Wednesday, 15 December 2010 11:00

Ofqual today (Wednesday, December 15) challenges the Higher Education sector to give applicants better information about which qualifications they need to win a place at university.

Launching the Third Chief Regulator’s report, Ofqual Chief Executive Isabel Nisbet said: "We need high-quality qualifications which support the best teaching and learning and provide a firm basis for progression, including to university.

"But students are not clairvoyants. They need clear information on which qualifications they need for their chosen university courses so they can make informed decisions.

"It should not be the case that the applicants with the best advice and guidance have a competitive edge. It should be possible for all students to understand admission requirements without an expert decoding them.

"We are therefore calling on the higher education sector to redouble its work to send clear and helpful messages to potential applicants.

"Our role as independent regulator ensures that regulated qualifications are a fair basis for selection by universities, with grades awarded fairly and consistently."

The report, which sets out how Ofqual will provide independent assurance that standards are maintained and regulated qualifications offer value for money, also calls for debates on standards to refocus on fitness for purpose.

Discussions focusing on comparisons with past decades and between academic and vocational qualifications ignore the fact that qualifications serve different roles, and that content and requirements may justifiably change.

The report details seven principles which will underpin Ofqual’s work as independent regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments:

The interests of learners are paramount
Fitness for purpose is key to quality
Each awarding organisation is responsible for its qualifications
Content and potential for progression must be clear
There must be a consistent approach to standards in all qualifications
Qualifications must offer value for money
We must learn the lessons of the past

Sandra Burslem, Deputy Chair of Ofqual, said: "We will be guided by these principles as we carry forward our role as independent regulator, taking fully into account the policy frameworks set out in the Government’s Education White Paper and the Skills for Sustainable Growth strategy document.

"The interests of learners are paramount. They need a qualifications currency which is trusted and respected by universities, employers and the wider public. This report provides a framework for making sure future learners have access to qualifications and assessments which stand up to comparison with the best in the world."

The report was launched at the British Library this morning to an invited audience of over 100 people from across the education sector.