Centres and learners benefit from qualifications that have no fixed start and end dates; can be delivered online, through blended learning or in the classroom; have portfolio-based assessments without fixed exam timetables; and can be centre assessed and externally moderated remotely – thereby suiting both full-time or part-time study at college, in the workplace and at home.
ATHE provides robust quality assurance procedures to ensure that its recognised centres are delivering education and training programmes of the highest standard.
Becoming recognised by ATHE can enhance a centre’s reputation and demonstrate its commitment to delivering high-quality education and training programmes.
ATHE recognition provides learners with a wide range of opportunities, including the ability to study online in the UK and internationally, and progression routes with a range of university partners, and gain professionally recognised qualifications.
ATHE recognition can help students to become more employable by providing them with qualifications that support the development of employability skills and are recognised and respected by employers.which can help the centre to provide better education and training opportunities to its students.
Becoming recognised by ATHE provides centres with the opportunity to access funding for eligible ATHE qualifications from various sources, including government funding and student loan programmes, helping centres maximise their investment in teaching and learning resources for students.
The first step is to complete the application form. If you have all of the information to hand it should take around 20 minutes. Please provide as much information and documentation as possible as this will save time requesting them later.
When your application has been received, we will invoice the centre recognition fee for the Centre Recognition Quality Assurance Check to take place – a payment link is provided on the invoice as well as our bank details should a transfer be of preference. You will also be asked to complete a direct debit form to facilitate the subscription payments.
We will perform due diligence checks including a credit check on your business.
We will assign one of our External Quality Assurers (EQA) and they will contact your centre directly to begin the quality assurance process.
The aim of the Centre Recognition Quality Assurance Check to ensure your centre is able to deliver, assess and quality assure ATHE qualifications to the required standard in line with OFQUAL regulatory requirements.
The EQA will also help and support your Centre to ensure that everything is in place to start delivering the qualifications once recognition is granted.
The CRQA check is usually arranged within 3 working days from receipt of payment and completed within 10 working days. The CRQAs can be conducted remotely or on site dependent on your location and availability of the EQA.
Following the CRQA a report will be produced and sent to you based on the findings of the review. There may be action points for your centre to complete as a result of this process within a stated deadline.
As an ATHE Centre you are required to have documented policies and procedures in place to meet the ATHE quality assurance requirements and to provide guidance for your staff and Learners, so they understand what is required of them and how you deliver qualifications and programmes.
You will be sent a Centre Agreement to electronically sign. This will complete your centre recognition agreement with ATHE.
As part of your ATHE Centre Recognition you will be required to attend an ATHE training session. We organise these on a monthly basis an invitation will be sent shortly after your recognition has been confirmed.
We will issue your centre with an ATHE Recognition certificate which will last for a period of three years.
