TAQA Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Qualifications

The TAQA level 4 IQA qualifications are built around three core units:

• Unit 1: Understanding the Principles and Practices of Internally Assuring the Quality of Assessment
• Unit 2: Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment
• Unit 3: Plan, Allocate and Monitor Work in Own Area of Responsibility

You will learn how to monitor and maintain assessment quality, support and standardise assessor practice, plan and carry out sampling activities, and ensure compliance with awarding organisation requirements.

Qualification pathways
You can choose from the following options:

Level 4 Award in Understanding Internal Quality Assurance (unit 1 - 3 months duration)
Ideal if you are just starting out but not yet practising.

Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (units 1 & 2 - 6 months duration)
Aimed at those carrying out internal quality assurance activities.

Level 4 Certificate in Leading Internal Quality Assurance (units 1, 2 & 3 - 6 months duration)
The full level 4 TAQA IQA qualification is aimed at those leading IQA processes managing assessors, and overseeing quality systems.

You will be assessed via written assignments, a portfolio of evidence and observed assessment.

Our online, distance learning courses can be started at any time. You will work through your online course materials at a time that is convenient to you and be supported by a personal tutor.

There are no formal academic entry requirements but you should have a good standard of English and maths, have occupational competence in the area you are assessing in, and be working in a role where you can assess learners.

To undertake the full certificate, you will need to be working in a role where you have responsibility for managing the quality of the assessment process, and practice and performance of assessors.

Please note: As our courses include online learning components, students are required to have access to a PC or laptop with a reliable internet connection.

Course Fees

• Level 4 Award in Understanding Internal Quality Assurance - £550 (plus £58 awarding body fees)
• Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice - £935 (plus £94 awarding body fees)
• Level 4 Certificate in Leading Internal Quality Assurance - £1,300 (plus £133 awarding body fees)

All students or employers are required to pay the awarding body fees in addition to the course fees. Please note that these are recharged at cost and may be subject to change.

CAW Loans2Learn
Course fees must be paid in full before the course begins. If you are unable to do so, we offer a personal loan scheme (Loans2Learn) that can help you to spread the cost into manageable monthly payments over a period of up to five years, subject to eligibility. It can be used to fully, or partially, cover your course fee (but does not cover any awarding body fees, such as enrolment and examination fees which are payable on top). More information can be found here.

The current rate of interest for a CAW Loans2Learn is 9%. Click on the calculator icon to calculate your monthly repayment options based on different repayment term lengths.

Example repayment - a Loans2Learn loan for the full course fee of £550 for the Level 4 Award in Understanding Internal Quality Assurance over 12 months would equate to monthly repayments of approximately £48 per month (please note this is an indicative price based on current fees and interest rates).

General Advice
Sources of financial help can be found on our student finance page. Before making any financial decision it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.

If you have not achieved your qualification by the planned end date detailed in your individual learning plan, continued support and course access is available by paying monthly direct debit payments, or applying for a supplementary or increased loan, until certification is achieved.

These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of CAW Business School (The College of Animal Welfare).

TAQA Level 4 IQA qualifications are widely recognised and often required for overseeing assessment quality in apprenticeships and vocational training. They can enable progression into roles such as:

• Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
• Lead IQA / Quality Manager
• Centre Manager or Programme Lead
• Compliance or audit roles within training organisations

You can also progress to:

• External Quality Assurance (EQA) roles
• Leadership and management qualifications
• Specialist education and training roles

No, as a private further education provider fees are applicable to all students. We do have a Loans2Learn scheme that can help you to spread the costs of study into manageable monthly payments.

If you would like to chat to one of our team before you apply, you can request a call back here, or contact us by phone or email. However, once you have applied, you will have a pre course discussion with one of our tutors who will talk to you about your current role and future aspirations. This will help you to determine which of the TAQA courses best suits your needs and goals, so there is no need to make a final decision before you apply.