Endorsed Programmes Explained: NQual's Complete Guide
- NQual
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
What are Endorsed Programmes?
Endorsed Programmes are bespoke training or educational courses developed by training institutes. While these courses do not fall under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) or align with Ofqual criteria, they undergo rigorous review by an Awarding Organisation (AO) to ensure they meet essential quality standards.
Receiving an endorsement provides learners and employers with confidence in the credibility and value of your programme(s).
Endorsed Programmes are an excellent solution for organisations offering informal training activities without defined learning outcomes or assessment criteria. Additionally, your organisation retains full ownership and intellectual property rights (IPR) over your programme(s).
Why Does Endorsement Matter?
Endorsing your programme provides a validated stamp of quality that differentiates your course from others and gives you and your learners a competitive edge.
If you’re offering internal staff training, external commercial courses, or specialised industry programmes, endorsement signals your commitment to providing education that genuinely makes a difference. It helps attract learners, strengthens employer confidence, and ensures that the skills gained are meaningful, credible, and aligned with professional standards.
What are the Benefits of Endorsed Programmes?
There are many valuable advantages to choosing to have your programme endorsed. Lets take a look into what the benefits are below:
Guaranteed Quality and Standards
The endorsement process involves a detailed review by experienced subject matter experts. They will review your learning materials, delivery methods, and assessment processes to ensure they meet robust educational standards. This provides reassurance that your programme offers a high-quality learning experience with clearly defined outcomes.
Skills Recognition and Enhanced Employability
An Endorsed Programme assures learners that the skills and knowledge they acquire are recognised and relevant. This is especially valuable in competitive industries where demonstrating up-to-date expertise can improve career progression and employability. Learners can proudly show they’ve completed your endorsed programme that meets professional and industry standards.
Industry Relevance and Real-World Application
The endorsement process validates that your content is relevant, up-to-date, and designed to address the skills gaps and demands of fast-evolving
sectors. This ensures your learners gain practical, transferable skills they can immediately apply in the workplace.
Supporting Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Endorsed Programmes play a key role in ongoing professional development. Whether your learners are up-skilling, re-skilling, or working towards future qualifications, endorsement adds an extra layer of credibility. It signals to employers, clients, and other training providers that your programme has been externally verified by a Awarding Organisation.
Adds Credibility and Market Value
Endorsing your programme increases your organisation’s credibility and competitive advantage. You are not only delivering high-quality training but also demonstrating your commitment to excellence. This can be a valuable marketing tool, helping you attract more learners, build trust with employers, and expand your share of the training market.
Ofqual Regulated Qualifications Vs Endorsed Programmes: Requirements
NQual have created a document to give you clarity on the differences between the requirements for Ofqual regulated qualifications and endorsed programmes, which you can download below.
Why Choose NQual to Endorse My Programme?
We are a UK Awarding Organisation who are regulated by Ofqual (the UK government's Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) that endorse programmes within the UK and internationally.
By choosing NQual to endorse your programme means partnering with an internationally recognised brand that understands the importance of quality, relevance, and credibility in education and training.
Working with NQual, you align your programmes with a trusted name in the education sector that operates to the highest standard. This helps you:
Stand out in the marketplace by offering NQual-endorsed programmes
Build confidence among your learners, partners, and stakeholders
Provide formal recognition for your bespoke programmes
Strengthen your reputation as a quality-focused training provider
Endorsement is more than just a badge—it’s a powerful statement of your organisation’s commitment to delivering exceptional learning experiences. At NQual, we are dedicated to elevating those we work alongside.
How to Get Endorsed by NQual
The endorsement process is designed to be thorough but straightforward, ensuring your materials meet the required standard while offering support throughout the journey. Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Become an NQual Approved Centre
Before applying for programme endorsement, your organisation must become an NQual approved centre. This ensures you are equipped to deliver learning to NQual’s expected standards.
2️⃣ Submit Your Programme Materials
Once approved as a centre, you’ll submit your programme for review. This includes all learning resources such as assignments, handouts, workbooks, teaching materials, and assessment methods.
3️⃣ Expert Review Process
Your submission will be assessed by an experienced subject knowledge expert who will review the content in detail. They’ll check that your programme is well-structured, relevant, and designed to achieve the intended learning outcomes. You can expect feedback within 10 working days.
4️⃣ Additional Information (if required)
If the reviewer requests further information, you will have the opportunity to update or clarify your materials. This ensures your programme is refined and fully meets the endorsement criteria.
5️⃣ Programme Approval
Once the review is complete and any amendments are made, your programme will be formally endorsed by NQual. You’ll receive an official endorsement certificate and can proudly promote your course as NQual-endorsed.
Are Ready to Take Your Programme to the Next Level?
Schedule a meeting with Leonie Walker, our Qualifications Director, to get all your questions answered. Feel confident in the support NQual provides to help you unlock the success of your training course through endorsement.
Book Your Meeting Here!
Коментарі