Who are QQI?

 

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system.

Ensuring that learners achieve qualifications that are valued nationally and internationally.

Providing trusted information on the qualifications included on the National Framework of Qualifications.

QQI is an amalgamation of the previously operational Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC); the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC); the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI).

QQI are responsible for a number of areas including:

 

Quality Assurance

In the area of quality assurance, they are responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of quality assurance in further and higher education providers in Ireland.

This includes the universities, institutes of technology, Education and Training Boards and providers in the private further and higher education and training sectors (availing of QQI awards).

They publish the outcomes of these external reviews on this its website – www.qqi.ie.



Types of QQI FET Awards

The Common Awards System makes use of the NFQ’s four main award classifications:

Major Awards
A major award is the principal class of award made at each level. It represents a significant volume of learning outcomes. Major awards usually comprise of 8 minor awards / modules. The CAS Specification for each major award lists the mandatory modules which must be completed along with the elective modules which are required to make up the overall specified credit value of the award. The default credit values for Major awards are as follows:

Level Default Credit Value
1 20
2 30
3 60
4 90
5 120
6 120

 

Minor Awards
Minor awards are also commonly referred to as component certificates. These awards are single modules which can be completed and certificated individually. All minor awards are linked to a major award which allows learners the opportunity to build on their minor awards and work towards gaining a major award. It is important to note that minor awards are achievements in their own right. Learners wishing to focus on one specific area or gain a specific skills e.g. Digital Marketing, Team Leadership etc. may find that completing a minor award in that area is much more appropriate that completing a major award which may be too broad to meet their specific needs. The default credit values for component awards are as follows:

Level Default Credit Value
1-2 5
3-4 10
5-6 15

 

Special Purpose Awards
A special purpose award is an award type developed for specific areas of learning that have a narrow scope. All special purpose awards comprise one or more components. This means that the credit value of this type of award will be higher than that of a minor award but significantly lower than a major award. An example of this type of award is the Special Purpose Awards in Training and Development 6S3372. This 30 credit special purpose award is a specific award in Training and Development and consists of two mandatory components / modules at level 6 each with a credit value of 15.

Supplemental Awards
A supplemental award is an award which recognises learning concerned with updating/up-skilling and/or continuing education and training. They are occupation related awards and they consist of one or more components. An example of this type of award is the Level 6 Supplemental Award in Gas Safety which consists of one component with a credit value of 20.

 

The Open College is Ireland’s Largest dedicated provider of QQI FET awards by distance learning and eLearning. We have over 90 QQI awards on offer. To view our full catalogue of QQI Major, Minor component and Special Purpose awards please click here…..