Regulatory Criteria
These are the regulatory requirements that we check as part of a defined gateway process. Awarding bodies are subject to ongoing compliance with our criteria. There are two types of criteria - general criteria and qualification specific criteria.
General criteria
All awarding bodies must meet our general criteria. You can read more on our general criteria by clicking links:
Criteria for general recognition – the requirements an awarding body must meet before it is recognised by Qualifications Wales.
Approval criteria and conditions of approval – the requirements an awarding body must meet before it, and its qualifications, can be approved.
Priority qualifications list – a list of qualifications that have been approved or are being considered for approval.
Qualification-specific criteria
These apply specifically to different types of qualifications.
Criteria for recognition to award ESW qualifications including Essential Skills Wales Digital, Essential Skills Wales Literacy and Essential Skills Wales Numeracy – the requirements that must be met to award these qualifications and the supporting guidance.
Criteria for recognition to award GCSE/GCE qualifications – the requirements that must be met to award GCSE or GCE qualifications.
Criteria for recognition to award qualifications including VCSE, Foundation, Project, Skills for Work and Life – the requirements that must be met to award these qualifications and the supporting guidance.
There are further qualification-specific criteria relating to GCSEs and GCEs, vocational qualifications, Essential Skills Wales and the 'Welsh Baccalaureate' in our Regulatory Framework.