QQI Awards - FAQs
Q. Who is Quality and Qualifications Ireland and what does QQI do?
Q. What is a QQI award?
Q. How will a QQI award benefit me?
Q. What is quality assurance?
Q. Does QQI offer grants to learners?
Q. Can I get a replacement certificate (FET) if I have lost my original award?
Q. How do I get my Irish qualification recognised for work or further study when travelling abroad?
Q. What is CAS?
Q. What happens to my old FETAC and HETAC awards now that those organisations have been dissolved?
Q. How do I know if a course is accredited by QQI?
Q. What is delegated authority?
Who is Quality and Qualifications Ireland and what does QQI do?
A. QQI is an agency of the Department of Education and Skills with responsibilites for quality assurance of education and training and qualifications in Ireland. QQI is also responsible for the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
For more information see: https://www.qqi.ie/Downloads/Who%20We%20Are-Booklet-A4web.pdf
A useful video to explain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oteJZhW1E9Q&t=34s
For more information on the NFQ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8rzlYgo9ps&t=13s
What is a QQI award?
A. A QQI award is a certificate you will receive on successful completion of a programme offered by a provider with a QQI validated programme.
How will a QQI award benefit me?
A. All Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) awards:
- are quality assured
- are nationally and internationally recognised
- offer access to further and higher education and training opportunities
- are recognised by employers
All QQI awards are part of the new inclusive National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), developed by QQI. This Framework brings greater clarity to the Irish education and training system, making it possible for learners, employers and providers to understand and compare different types of qualifications. All QQI awards already have a specific placing on the national framework between levels 1 and 10, allowing QQI award holders to progress more easily within the system.
Employers will also recognise your abilities and skills because QQI awards are quality assured.
What is quality assurance?
A. Quality assurance (QA) in education and training is an ongoing process of evaluating the quality of an education system, institution or programme. This involves assessing, monitoring, maintaining and improving quality.
For more information see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fhx5yYNrFE&t=12s
Does QQI offer grants to learners?
A. QQI does not provide funding for individual learners on courses.
For information on funding options contact your local Citizens Information Office or go to Student Universal Support Ireland http://www.susi.ie which provides comprehensive information about applying for a student grant.
Can I get a replacement certificate (FET) if I have lost my original award?
A. QQI does not issue replacement certificates but it is possible to receive a Record of Awards. In the event of you misplacing or losing a QQI certificate, you may apply to QQI Record of Awards by filling out a form available on the QQI website.
How do I get my Irish qualification recognised for work or further study when travelling abroad?
A. For Information and advice about your Irish qualification, whether for work or for further study, please consult the website NARIC which is hosted by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.
You should also access your Europass Diploma Supplement (higher education) from your college or the Europass Certificate Supplement from the QQI awards page. For more information see Europass Certificate Supplement and Europass Diploma Supplement
What is CAS?
A. The CAS (Common Awards System) is a system of linked FET (Further Education and Training) awards specifications at NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) Levels 1 to 6 inclusive. The CAS specifications include the awards standards to be achieved before an award is made. The awards standards are expressed as minimum expected learning outcomes. These reflect the knowledge, skills and competence to be achieved by the learner before the award is made. There are aroung 1,600 active awards specifications in the CAS. Detailed information about FET standards forming part of the CAS are available on QSearch.
What happens to my old FETAC and HETAC awards now that those organisations have been dissolved?
A. Any award that is on the National Framework of Qualifications continues to be recognised because it continues to signify achievement of learning at a particular level on the framework.
How do I know if a course is accredited by QQI?
A. To check if a programme is validated by QQI see the List of Validated Programmes where you can check out the programmes offered by a particular provider.
What is delegated authority?
A. Delegation of Authority allows a provider validate its own programmes and make awards at designated levels of the NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) subject to QQI's approval. Providers with delegated authority from QQI are awarding bodies in their own right.
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Act (2012) permits the extension of delegated authority to private providers of higher education and training. More information on delegation of authority is available on the QQI website here.