Whether it’s a diploma in beauty therapy or a qualification in health and social care, students and employers alike rely on the credibility of the certification. This is where the awarding body comes into play. But what is an awarding body, and why is it important?
What is an Awarding Body?
An awarding body (or awarding organisation) is a recognised organisation that creates, develops, and certifies qualifications. It verifies that the qualifications are to national standards and that the assessments are fair, consistent, and reliable.
Awarding bodies collaborate with regulatory bodies such as Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in the UK) to deliver accredited qualifications. Some awarding bodies also provide non-regulated qualifications, which are still structured and useful but outside national regulatory systems.
Main Responsibilities of an Awarding Body
Awarding bodies have a critical role to play in the education and training industry. Their main responsibilities usually are:
Creating Qualification Frameworks: Designing courses and certifications in line with industry and education requirements.
Approving and Monitoring Centres: Verifying training centres that deliver the qualifications against stringent quality standards.
Carrying Out Assessments and Exams: Developing assessment processes that objectively test learners' abilities.
Issuing Certificates: Issuing official certificates to learners who pass the qualification.
Keeping Standards Up to Date: Regularly monitoring and modifying qualifications in accordance with changes in the industry or education landscape.
Examples of Recognised Awarding Bodies
There are various well-known awarding bodies in the UK, including:
Focus Awards – Provides a large number of regulated and non-regulated qualifications in many sectors.
City & Guilds – Most famous for vocational qualifications in sectors like construction, hospitality, and health care.
Pearson (Edexcel) – Provides academic and vocational qualifications such as BTECs and A-levels.
NCFE – Offers qualifications in education, childcare, and health and social care.
These organizations are relied upon for their learner support, transparency, and quality assurance.
Why Awarding Bodies Matter
1. Quality and Credibility
Awarding bodies are responsible for ensuring that qualifications are developed and tested to a high level. This provides learners with confidence in the certification they receive.
2. Employer Recognition
Employers mostly prefer or mandate qualifications from recognized awarding bodies since they believe in the content and rigor behind them.
3. Learner Progression
Regulated qualifications through awarding bodies can open up avenues for further education or employment. They typically come in recognised levels through frameworks such as the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework).
4. International Acceptance
Awarding body qualifications are largely accepted worldwide, offering learners with adaptable career progression and avenues for further education outside their country of residence.
Awarding Bodies and Non-Regulated Qualifications
Not all worthwhile qualifications are regulated by Ofqual. Some awarding organizations provide non-regulated qualifications under arrangements such as the FQP (Focus Quality Partner) Scheme. These courses are industry-relevant and flexible in design and are well-suited to CPD (Continuing Professional Development) or specialized training topics.
Although these qualifications do not appear on the national frameworks, they are equally structured, tested, and certified to the same level as those regulated.