The Data and AI School of London is an NCFE approved centre for this qualification. We are not able to offer this qualification.
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Level 3 · NCFE
Not offered NCFE Approved Qualification number 501/0886/4

NCFE Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement

For people who assess vocational learning. It cannot be completed online: you must be observed in person and assess real learners, so please talk to us before you enrol.

Duration: 54 guided learning hours, 90 total qualification time

Level
Level 3
Qualification number
501/0886/4
Awarding organisation
NCFE
Regulated status
On the RQF, regulated by Ofqual
Guided learning hours
54 hours
Total qualification time
90 hours
Delivery
100% online
NCFE This qualification is awarded by NCFE and regulated by Ofqual

Course overview

This qualification prepares you to assess vocationally related achievement: the knowledge and understanding behind a vocational qualification, assessed through methods such as questioning, assignments and professional discussion.

It cannot be completed entirely online. The specification requires that you are observed in person, in the same place at the same time as your assessor, and that you assess real learners rather than simulated ones. Remote observation and simulated assessment are both ruled out by the specification, and no arrangement on our side can change that.

Please contact us before you enrol so we can agree how your in-person observations will be arranged and confirm you have real learners to assess. Without both you cannot be certificated, and we would rather say so now than take a fee first. If you are looking for a teaching or assessing qualification you can complete online, ask us and we will point you to one that fits.

What you will study

The units below, their unit reference numbers and their guided learning hours are taken directly from the NCFE qualification specification.

Unit Title Unit reference Hours
01 Understanding the principles and practices of assessment (this unit is mandatory for all 4 qualifications)
8 learning outcomes
  1. understand the principles and requirements of assessment
    • 1.1 explain the function of assessment in learning and development
    • 1.2 define the key concepts and principles of assessment
    • 1.3 explain the responsibilities of the assessor
    • 1.4 identify the regulations and requirements relevant to the assessment in own area of practice
  2. understand different types of assessment method
    • 2.1 compare the strengths and limitations of a range of assessment methods with reference to the needs of individual learners
  3. understand how to plan assessment
    • 3.1 summarise key factors to consider when planning assessment
    • 3.2 evaluate the benefits of using a holistic approach to assessment
    • 3.3 explain how to plan a holistic approach to assessment
    • 3.4 summarise the types of risks that may be involved in assessment in own area of responsibility
    • 3.5 explain how to minimise risks through the planning process
  4. understand how to involve learners and others in assessment
    • 4.1 explain the importance of involving the learner and others in the assessment process
    • 4.2 summarise types of information that should be made available to learners and others involved in the assessment process
    • 4.3 explain how peer and self-assessment can be used effectively to promote learner involvement and personal responsibility in the assessment of learning
    • 4.4 explain how assessment arrangements can be adapted to meet the needs of individual learners
  5. understand how to make assessment decisions
    • 5.1 explain how to judge whether evidence is: • sufficient • authentic • current
    • 5.2 explain how to ensure that assessment decisions are: • made against specified criteria • valid • reliable • fair
  6. understand quality assurance of the assessment process
    • 6.1 evaluate the importance of quality assurance in the assessment process
    • 6.2 summarise quality assurance and standardisation procedures in own area of practice
    • 6.3 summarise the procedures to follow when there are disputes concerning assessment in own area of practice
  7. understand how to manage information relating to assessment
    • 7.1 explain the importance of following procedures for the management of information relating to assessment
    • 7.2 explain how feedback and questioning contribute to the assessment process
  8. understand the legal and good practice requirements in relation to assessment
    • 8.1 explain legal issues, policies and procedures relevant to assessment, including those for confidentiality, health, safety and welfare
    • 8.2 explain the contribution that technology can make to the assessment process
    • 8.3 evaluate requirements for equality and diversity and, where appropriate, bilingualism in relation to assessment
    • 8.4 explain the value of reflective practice and continuing professional development in the assessment process
 D/601/5313 24
03 Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding (this unit is mandatory for level 3 award in assessing vocationally)
4 learning outcomes
  1. be able to prepare assessments of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
    • 1.1 select methods to assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding which address learner needs and meet assessment requirements, including: • assessments of the learner in simulated environments • skills tests • oral and written questions • assignments • projects • case studies • recognising prior learning
    • 1.2 prepare resources and conditions for the assessment of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
    • 1.3 communicate the purpose, requirements and processes of assessment of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding to learners
  2. be able to carry out assessments of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
    • 2.1 manage assessments of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding to meet assessment requirements
    • 2.2 provide support to learners within agreed limitations
    • 2.3 analyse evidence of learner achievement
    • 2.4 make assessment decisions relating to vocational skills, knowledge and understanding against specified criteria
    • 2.5 follow standardisation procedures
    • 2.6 provide feedback to the learner that affirms achievement and identifies any further implications for learning, assessment and progression
  3. be able to provide required information following the assessment of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
    • 3.1 maintain records of the assessment of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding, its outcomes and learner progress
    • 3.2 make assessment information available to authorised colleagues as required
    • 3.3 follow procedures to maintain the confidentiality of assessment information
  4. be able to maintain legal and good practice requirements when assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
    • 4.1 follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation relating to the assessment of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding, including those for health, safety and welfare
    • 4.2 apply requirements for equality and diversity and, where appropriate, bilingualism
    • 4.3 evaluate own work in carrying out assessments of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
    • 4.4 take part in continuing professional development to ensure current expertise and competence in assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
 F/601/5319 30
Total guided learning hours 54

Entry requirements

  • There are no formal entry qualifications. You do need access to real learners to assess, and you must be able to attend in-person observation, because the specification permits neither remote observation nor simulation.
Take it with you

The course guide

Everything on this page as one document you can keep, print, or send to whoever is deciding with you.

  • All 2 units, with the hours behind each one
  • How you are assessed, and who checks the marking
  • How paying works, and what is due when
  • Entry requirements and where the qualification leads
Download the guide (PDF)

Generated from this qualification's record, so the units and hours in it are the ones on this page. The fee is here on the page rather than in the guide, so a saved copy cannot quote you an old one.

How you are assessed

Your work is assessed by our qualified assessors, internally quality assured, and externally quality assured by NCFE. Assessment is against the criteria published in the qualification specification, and your assessor tells you what is needed before you start each unit.

For what happens after you submit: who marks it, who checks the marking, how long feedback takes and what to do if you disagree with a decision, see how assessment works.

If you need an adjustment to how you are assessed, for a disability or any other reason, ask us before you begin. We arrange adjustments under our Reasonable Adjustments policy, and you can request one online.

How we assess and quality assure is set out in DAIS-POL-016 Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance.

How you study, and what you need

You study online through our virtual learning environment, which is where the teaching material, your assessment submissions, your feedback and your progress all live. You work at your own pace, with tutor support throughout. Everyone completes a short online induction before starting an assessed unit.

What you need to take part
Device Laptop or desktop computer
Operating system Windows 10 or macOS 10.15 or later
Browser Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, latest version
Internet speed 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload
Webcam Required for live sessions and identity verification
Microphone Required for live sessions

These are the minimum requirements published in DAIS-POL-024 Online Learning and Digital Delivery.

Support, and how quickly we reply

These are the response times we commit to in policy, not an aspiration.

What How Response
General questions Message your tutor in the VLE Within 2 working days
Assessment feedback Returned in the VLE or e-portfolio Within 10 working days of submission
Technical problems Technical support email Within 1 working day
Urgent welfare concerns Email to the Designated Safeguarding Lead Within 1 working day

Published in DAIS-POL-024 and DAIS-POL-009 Learner Support.

Registration and your certificate

We register you with NCFE before you begin any assessed unit, and we collect your Unique Learner Number as part of that. When your assessment decisions are finalised and quality assured, we claim your certificate through the NCFE portal and you are notified digitally. The certificate comes from NCFE, not from us.

Set out in DAIS-POL-008 Learner Registration and Certification.

Other names for this qualification

The regulated title is NCFE Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement, qualification number 501/0886/4. People also look for it as:

  • Level 3 Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
  • Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement Level 3
  • NCFE Level 3 Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
  • 501/0886/4
  • NCFE 501/0886/4
  • Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement course online
  • Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement qualification UK
  • Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement distance learning

If you arrived searching one of those, you are in the right place: they all describe this one qualification.

Common questions

Who awards NCFE Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement, and how do I get my certificate?

NCFE Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement is awarded by NCFE, an Ofqual-approved awarding organisation, and sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification number is 501/0886/4. The Data and AI School of London is an NCFE approved centre. We register you with NCFE before you start any assessed unit and collect your Unique Learner Number. Once your work is assessed and quality assured we claim your certificate through the NCFE portal, and it is issued by NCFE rather than by us.

How long does NCFE Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement take?

This qualification carries 54 guided learning hours and a total qualification time of 90 hours. It is studied online at your own pace, so how long it takes in calendar time depends on how much you can commit each week.

What do I need before I can start?

There are no formal entry qualifications. You do need access to real learners to assess, and you must be able to attend in-person observation, because the specification permits neither remote observation nor simulation. We assess every applicant individually and will tell you if a different level would suit you better.

Can I study this entirely online?

Yes. Teaching, materials and assessment are all delivered through our Moodle-based virtual learning environment, so you can study from anywhere in the UK. You need a laptop or desktop computer, a current version of Chrome or Firefox, and a broadband connection of at least 10 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up. Tutor support is available throughout, and we answer questions within 2 working days and return assessment feedback within 10 working days of submission.

Can I enrol now?

We are not able to offer this qualification. Its specification requires that you are observed in person, in the same place at the same time as your assessor, and that you assess real learners rather than simulated ones. As a wholly online centre we cannot meet that, so it would be wrong to take a fee for it. If you are looking for a teaching or assessing qualification you can complete online, please ask us and we will point you to one that fits. We do not publish a fee while enrolment is closed.

Not sure this is the right qualification?

Ask before you apply. We will say honestly if a different level would suit you better.

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