The main way we regulate is by setting the standards and rules that awarding organisations need to meet when they design, deliver and award regulated qualifications. We monitor awarding organisations and qualifications to make sure that standards are maintained. We are a risk-based regulator and concentrate our resources to where they are most needed. For example, we may discover that an awarding organisation’s processes need updating or that there are risks connected to a qualification taken by thousands of students every year.

As well as awarding organisations and qualifications, we look at the whole qualifications and exams system. We investigate and do research to make sure the system is fit for purpose. We also regulate the National Curriculum assessments and the Early Years Foundation Stage assessments.

When we decide whether to recognise organisations or to award regulated qualifications, we judge their applications against the Recognition Criteria. Read more about the benefits of becoming a recognised awarding organisation and the process for recognition in this section.

Once recognised, each awarding organisation is subject to the General Conditions of Recognition as well as any other applicable regulations or subject criteria. The General Conditions were last updated in November 2012. This version replaces all previous versions of the General Conditions.