I am an existing provider
QQI evaluates providers at both institutional and programmatic level to ensure the quality and credibility of QQI awards. Existing providers have shown that they have the capacity, resources, and QA system in place to deliver programmes leading to a QQI award and/or offer programmes to international learners.
A provider receives QA approval within defined parameters. These parameters specify what types of programme a provider may offer, how and where. This is known as a provider’s scope of provision.
As a provider, you may wish to offer a new programme that in some way goes beyond the scope of what you are currently approved to offer by QQI. If that is so, you must apply to have your scope of provision extended.
Find out more extending your scope of provisions below.
As a provider, you may wish to offer a new programme that in some way goes beyond the scope of what you are currently approved to offer by QQI.
For example, if you are currently approved to deliver programmes via a face-to-face mode of delivery and you wish to offer programmes using blending learning, you must apply to QQI to have your scope of provision extended to include providing programmes via blended learning.
You will have to consult the QQI Guidelines for Quality Assurance of Blended Learning, develop the relevant QA procedures and put in place the necessary human, physical and technological resources to deliver this type of education or training.
Essential reading
- CORE Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines developed by QQI for use by all Providers (April 2016)
- Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines For Providers of Blended and Fully Online Programmes (2023)
Toolkit
- Application form for Approval of Provider's QA Procedures for Blended and Fully Online Learning leading to QQI Awards
- Gap Analysis Tool for Blended and Fully Online Programmes
- Self Assessment Tool for Blended and Fully Online Programmes
- Independent Evaluation Report for Blended and Fully Online Programmes
- Process Guide for Extension of Scope Blended and Fully Online Learning
To apply for validation of a new apprenticeship programme, you must have a QQI-approved scope of provision to offer an apprenticeship programme.
If as a QQI award provider you have not been previously approved to offer an apprenticeship programme to potential learners, your scope of provision will first have to be extended. Once this is in place, you can then apply to have your apprenticeship programme validated.
Essential reading
- Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines developed by QQI for Providers of Statutory Apprenticeship Programmes (June 2016)
- Policies and criteria for the validation of programmes of education and training (Nov. 2017)
- Principles and Operational Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Further and Higher Education and Training (June 2005)
- Programme Descriptor Template – Apprenticeship Programme(s) leading to new FET Major Award(s) (Version 1, 2019)
- Professional Award Type Descriptors
- Protection of Enrolled Learners: Protocols for Implementation of Part 6 of the 2012 Act
- Guidelines for Providers 2014, Operating Principles for PEL Arrangements of Providers
- Policy and Criteria for Making Awards (Nov. 2017)
- Policy for Determining Awards Standards (Dec. 2014)
- Assessment and Standards, Revised 2022
- QQI Policy Restatement Policy and Criteria for Access, Transfer and Progression in Relation to Learners for Providers of Further and Higher Education and Training (2015)
- Principles and Operational Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Further and Higher Education and Training (June 2005)
- Quality Assuring Assessment Guidelines for Providers Revised 2013 (Version 2 - revised 2018*
- Roles, Responsibilities and Code of Conduct for Reviewers and Evaluators (V1, 2018)
Toolkit
A programme submitted for validation must always interface with the provider’s approved quality assurance procedures. Any incremental changes to the provider’s QA procedures required by the programme or programme-specific QA procedures should be developed having regard to QQI’s statutory QA guidelines.
This is one of the reasons that validation does not translate from one provider to another. A programme will include intrinsic governance, quality assurance, learner assessment, and access, transfer and progression procedures that must functionally interface with the provider’s general or institutional procedures.
If the programme is a collaborative one between two or more providers, the arrangements are more complex, but the principles are similar.
Essential reading
A programme is validated for provision in specific jurisdictions. Unless otherwise indicated on the certificate of validation, validation is restricted to programmes provided from within Ireland to learners based in the State.
If a new jurisdiction is to be added to this set, the modified programme requires validation unless the validated programme explicitly includes arrangements for extension.
Essential reading
QQI has now completed the Reengagement process which was a one-off occurrence that allowed a provider to establish its quality assurance (QA) procedures with QQI. The benefit of re-engagement was that the process enabled QQI recognise any past work done by a provider in developing and implementing QA processes while ensuring that a sound statutory basis exists for future QA development and enhancement.
The table below sets out the number of HE and FE Education and Training providers who have been evaluated through the process.
| Higher education and training |
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| Further education and training |
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