IQA Qualifications
The Level 4 IQA qualifications are designed for individuals who want to become Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs) within companies/organisations, training centres or education bodies. The role of an IQA is to ensure that assessment practices are consistent, fair, and in line with industry and regulatory requirements. IQAs also play a vital role in supporting and guiding Assessors.
Here we set out answers to commonly asked questions about the IQA qualifications, their structure and how to choose the right qualification. If you can’t find the answer to your question, please feel free to contact us.
What are the Level 4 IQA qualifications and who are they for?
There are three IQA qualifications aimed at anyone involved (or wanting to get involved) in an internal quality assurance role:
1. Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (Theory only)
This is a knowledge-only qualification, ideal for those who want to understand IQA processes but do not need to actively carry out internal quality assurance. It is suitable for Trainers, Assessors or Managers who want a theoretical foundation in IQA practices.
2. Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (For Practitioners)
This qualification is for those who will be actively practising as an IQA within their organisation. It requires candidates to provide evidence of monitoring and ensuring the quality of assessment within their organisation. It’s suitable for those who want to support and develop Assessors.
3. Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (For ‘Lead’ IQAs)
The most comprehensive qualification, this is aimed at those who will be leading and managing the IQA process. Candidates must oversee the quality assurance of assessment processes across an organisation. It’s ideal for individuals responsible for managing a team of IQAs and maintaining quality across multiple Assessors.
What is the structure of the IQA qualifications?
The qualifications are built from 3 Units of Competence and you will need to prove competence in each appropriate Unit to get qualified:
L4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes & Practice (1 unit)
There is 1 mandatory unit:
Unit 1 – Understanding Principles & Practice of Internally Assuring the Quality of Assessment
L4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes & Practice (2 units)
There are 2 mandatory units:
Unit 1 – Understanding Principles & Practice of Internally Assuring the Quality of Assessment
Unit 2 – Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment
L4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes & Practice (3 units)
There are 3 mandatory units:
Unit 1 – Understanding Principles & Practice
Unit 2 – Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment
Unit 3 – Plan, Allocate & Monitor Work in Own Area of Responsibility
Visit here for full details of the performance standards and evidence requirements for the IQA qualifications.
How do I gain an IQA qualification?
To gain an IQA qualification, you need to undertake a course of study with an Approved Training Provider. ATDirect are a market-leading provider and have nearly 20 years’ specialist experience in delivering the IQA qualifications.
For more on ATDirect IQA courses including in-house and online courses, course duration, and costs please visit here.
Visit here for a full Course Price List.
To book, call us on 0800 246 5574 or complete our Booking Form.
What qualifications & experience do I need to become an IQA?
If you want to become an IQA, you will need 6 key things:1. A nationally-recognised IQA qualification
There are 3 nationally-recognised qualifications for IQAs (see above). The Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice – the 2 unit Award – is the nationally recognised qualification for those practising as an IQA.
2. Experience of assessment practice
To be an effective IQA you must understand how Assessors are expected to do their job and why. For this reason, it makes sense for IQAs to have some work experience of assessment practice before becoming an IQA. (It is also an advantage to hold the Level 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) qualification in addition to the IQA qualification, however, this is not a requirement.)
3. A knowledge of the occupational standards or qualification subject area
You will need knowledge of the standards, assessment methods and evidence requirements of the job roles or qualification subject area you wish to quality assure.
4. Knowledge of the Awarding Organisation’s guidance regarding quality assurance
If you are looking to quality assure National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), then you will need knowledge of the Awarding Organisation’s quality assurance guidance. The Awarding Organisation gives your company/organisation ‘Approved’ status to operate as an Assessment Centre for particular NVQs – this role has been delegated to them by OfQual, the Government regulator of all nationally-accredited qualifications.
5. Knowledge of your Centre’s policies and procedures
If your company/organisation is an ‘Approved Assessment Centre’ for NVQs, then you will require knowledge of your Centre’s policies and procedures especially regarding assessments and the quality assurance of assessments, and staff Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
6. Good communication and organisational skills, and the ability to handle report writing and some administration
Visit here for further information on How do I Become an IQA.
What are the V1, D34 & TAQA qualifications?
Here’s a bit of history to the IQA qualifications:
In 2010, the qualifications set out above replaced older D34 and V1 Internal Verifier qualifications. The new qualifications are known as the TAQA (Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance) qualifications, and include qualifications for Assessors and External Verifiers as well as Internal Quality Assurers (previously know as Internal Verifiers).
One of the key differences is that the new qualifications contain a much stronger knowledge-base than previously and this is evidenced by the mandatory knowledge unit in each of the qualifications. The new qualifications also include one for quality assurance staff who manage the work of teams of Assessors (a ‘lead IQA’ role) and this includes a unit imported from the Management Standards (MSC units of assessment).
There is no mandatory requirement to re-qualify to the new TAQA units, however, if you achieved your IQA qualifications as either the D34 or V1 units prior to 2010, and have not been regularly verifying since then, you may find that prospective employers will require you to have evidenced Continuous Professional Development (CPD) or undertaken refresher training to maintain your knowledge in the field of quality assurance and the new frameworks.
Feel free to call us on 0800 246 5574 if you wish to undertake refresher training or have any further questions about updating your V1 qualification.