As an Ofqual recognised Awarding Organisation, we pride ourselves on driving up standards in education through provision of regulated qualifications that are listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
In addition, FSBL recognises the need for quality accredited industry award programmes; training and award certifications that still demonstrate attainment, skills, knowledge or understanding that might not necessarily lend themselves to the regulated environment. This is where we can offer endorsed awards.
Components of Endorsed Awards
An endorsed award is a course which FSBL has evaluated and endorsed as a suitable and beneficial learning platform for learners.
When FSBL endorses a course of learning, we are declaring that we have confidence in a centre’s ability to develop and deliver quality courses in their areas of expertise.
Whilst we don’t always define the content of these courses, we do monitor the delivery and the assessments. The FSBL endorsement status shows that centres are consistently meeting the high standards that we demand from our Recognised Centres in delivering a high quality learning experience for the learner which provides them with the necessary skills and knowledge in a particular subject area.
Below is a breakdown of what you can expect when opting for the endorsed course option with FSBL.
| REGULATED QUALIFICATION |
ENDORSED COURSE |
|
|---|---|---|
| Developed by FSBL |  |
|
| Centre subject to yearly EQA Activities (External Quality Assurance) |
|
|
| Certificate issued by FSBL to successful candidates |
|
|
| Assessment undertaken or verified by FSBL |
|
|
| Sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) |
What do Endorsed certificates look like?We refer to these programmes of learning as endorsed courses as opposed to regulated qualifications. Regulated qualifications are the qualifications we are recognised by Ofqual to award. These qualifications go through stringent development and accreditation processes that our endorsed provision isn’t subject to. For this reason, the certificates that learners receive will look slightly different to the ones that we award for qualifications. For example, they will bear the FSBL endorsed logo and the wording will refer to ‘courses’ or ‘awards’ rather than ‘qualifications’. |
 |
REGULATED
What do Regulated certificates look like?Regulated qualifications can only be awarded by an Ofqual Awarding Organisation. They are subject to quality assurance checks throughout and users of them can be assured that the outcomes are standardised; wherever or whenever a learner sits the assessments they will have demonstrated the abilities to achieve a pass. The responsibility for awarding the qualification lies with FSBL and the requirements are described in the relevant Qualification Specification. FSBL will review the assessment and quality assurance decisions of centres in order to confirm that standards are being met. |
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What are the implications?
It is important that users of qualifications – centres, learners, employers, colleges and universities – can be confident in the certificate that they are presented with and that they understand what it represents.
As an Awarding Organisation, FSBL have a responsibility to learners to make sure we do everything we can to help them navigate the sector and make informed choices.
Education is a heavily regulated sector. One of the regulatory requirements that we have to meet as Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisation is centred around making sure that learners ‘know what they are getting’ in terms of the products we provide.
This knowledge extends to making sure that centres are marketing regulated qualifications and endorsed courses clearly and correctly. You will need to ensure that all of your learners know the difference between regulated and endorsed provision and know which of these they are working towards.
If you have any questions regarding FSBL Endorsed Provision, please get in touch using the contact form at the bottom of the page. A member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.
Centres offering FSBL Endorsed Awards must:
- Distinguish clearly between these courses and any regulated qualifications that they offer through FSBL or another Ofqual Awarding Organisation.
- Refer to courses as being ‘endorsed’.
- Make sure learners on any course know that they will progress to an endorsed achievement rather than a regulated qualification.
- Be prepared to talk to learners and employers about the two types of provision (Regulated and Endorsed) and help them make choices about what is best for them.
- Be confident in promoting their FSBL endorsed status.
- Include on the website a link to the Ofqual Register of Qualifications for any regulated qualifications that they offer.
FSBL Quality Standards
At the heart of FSBL commitment to the creation and awarding of respected qualifications is a rigorous focus on high standards and consistency with regulated and endorsed awards.
Your pathway to a graduate degree
Our university progression agreements mean you can apply your regulated FSBL Level 4 and upward diplomas towards a graduate or post graduate degree.