I want to validate a new further education and training programme

Further Education and Training programmes offer learners one of two different systems:

• Common Award System (CAS) programmes and
• Programme Derived Award Standard (Non-CAS) programmes.

CAS programmes

The majority of current FET programmes offer awards from the Common Award System (CAS), where the award outcomes have already been developed by QQI. A CAS programme may lead to a major, special purpose, supplemental or minor award(s).

Programme Derived Award Standard (Non-CAS) programmes

Where there is no appropriate CAS award, it is possible to submit a programme to lead to a brand-new award, termed ‘Programme Derived Award Standard (Non-CAS)’.  A Programme Derived Award Standard (Non-CAS) programme may lead to a major, special purpose, supplemental or minor award(s).

A Programme Derived Award Standard (Non-CAS) programme will map its learning outcomes to a relevant NFQ award type descriptor. This is to provide evidence that the programme can lead to a new QQI award.