IQA

Level 4 Quality Assurance

The internal and external quality assurance units form part of the Learning and Development qualifications and as a whole they are known as TAQA – Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance.

Some awarding organisations use the term TAQA to denote just the quality assurance units, however, the quality assurance units are part of a full suite of qualifications. The qualifications are based on the National Occupational Standards for Learning and Development (NOS).
Some quality assurance units can be used towards the teaching qualifications, however, rules apply regarding the credits and levels.

Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

There are three units at level 4, the first is knowledge based and the other two are performance based (i.e. theory and practice).

As the first unit is purely knowledge based, it can be taken prior to, or at the same time as the performance unit/s. It is ideal for anyone wanting to know what it’s like to be an internal quality assurer but who does not yet have anything to quality assure.

The units can be achieved in any order and each has a credit value.

Most internal quality assurers only need units 1 and 2.

Unit 3 is for a lead quality assurer i.e. those who are responsible for a team of quality assurers (whether internal or external).

Unit 1 will lead to the Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (this is a theory unit only)

Units 1 and 2 will lead to the Award in the internal quality assurance of assessment processes and practice

Units 1, 2 and 3 will lead to the Certificate in leading the internal quality assurance of assessment processes and practice

Unit 1. Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment (6 credits)

This is a knowledge based unit for new and existing internal quality assurers or anyone who wishes to know about the theory of internal quality assurance. You do not need to carry out any internal quality assurance activities with assessors to achieve this unit. This unit is also available as an optional unit in the Certificate and Diploma (at level 4).

Unit 2. Internally assure the quality of assessment (6 credits)

This is a performance unit for anyone who internally quality assures the work of assessors. For example, observing practice, sampling judgments and decisions, supporting and advising assessors. It can be achieved in any environment by internally quality assuring qualifications, programmes of learning or workplace competence. This unit is also available as an optional unit in the Certificate and Diploma (at level 4).

Unit 3. Plan, allocate and monitor work in own area of responsibility (5 credits)

This is a performance unit for anyone who leads the internal quality assurance process within an organisation. The role will include having a responsibility for managing the quality and performance of other internal quality assurers. Developing systems and liaising with external quality assurers might also be part of this role.