Introduction

Whether you’re a teacher in a school, lecturer in further education or trainer in a work-based or other learning setting, we’re here to support you and your learners as they endeavour to achieve the qualifications they need to progress.

Contingency planning

Given the events of the past few years, we know there is a small chance that alternative arrangements could once again be needed in the future.

Centres should therefore prepare for the possible implementation of contingency arrangements by planning what assessments they will use to inform centre determined grades, should they be needed.

We have published updated guidance on planning for contingencies.

Qualifications in Wales database

Our Qualifications in Wales database (QiW) contains details of all qualifications that are approved or designated for teaching in Wales for learners aged under 19 - excluding higher education.

Information held on QiW includes qualification titles, numbers, start and end dates, awarding body details and further information - such as performance measures and whether the qualification counts as a choice for 14-19 learning pathways.

See our Designation Handbook for more information on our process for designating qualifications. 

Power Up

We work with Welsh Government and other partners on Power Up to provide resources to help your learners prepare for exams and assessments.

Exams 360 - exam system explained

We’re often asked questions - and we're sure that you are - about the exam system and how it works. Things like, who writes an exam paper and how are exam grades set?

Exams 360 is where you’ll find the answers to those and other common exam related queries that may be asked by your learners.

National 14-16 Qualifications

As you will be aware, we are reforming all qualifications available to 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales.  

The new National 14-16 Qualifications suite comprises reformed GCSEs, the new-style VCSE qualification, Foundation qualifications and the Skills Suite, which will be replacing the current Skills Challenge Certificate.  

Find out more about the National 14-16 Qualifications here. 

You can get involved, take part in consultations and send us your queries via our dedicated engagement platform, Have Your Say.  

Summer 2024 Results

Visit our dedicated Summer 2024 Results section.   

Higher education

Qualifications Wales maintains regular contact with higher education institutions in Wales and across the UK.

We also collaborate closely with UCAS and others, to make sure that universities are continually updated about any developments relating to qualifications and the qualifications system in Wales.

Get involved

Qualifications Wales wants practitioners from across Welsh education to help ensure that we are creating a qualifications system that is truly fit for the 21st century.

From time to time, we recruit individuals to help us with that work - please keep an eye on our jobs and opportunities section if you're interested and make sure that your staff and governors sign up to our monthly newsletters.

We also run regular consultations, surveys, and involvement sessions. Please see our Have Your Say site for more details on how your centre can get involved.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) describes a process where evidence of a learner’s previous learning and or achievement is assessed and can be used to exempt the learner from all or part of a qualification.  

The learner needs to show that through knowledge, understanding or skills they already have, they do not need to repeat the course or complete extra assessment activity. An assessor will review whether the evidence is enough to show that a learner has met the assessment requirements for a current qualification or part of a qualification. 

At Qualifications Wales, we recognise that RPL offers many benefits.  

For more information on RPL and our policy, please visit our dedicated recognition of prior learning section.