Frequently Asked Questions

Do you want to know the SCAAT points allocated to a Step-UP qualification or the Guided Learning Hours for a Level 2 Award? Your questions are answered here:

• What do I have to do to be able to offer NOCN qualifications?

  First you hou have to become an OCN Eastern Region Recognised Centre. Details of how to do this are outlined on this website.

  Fo certain qualifications such as Functional Skills and Personal Progress additional approval may be required but there is no additional charge for this.

• What is a unit?

  Units form the building blocks of all qualifications in the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).

  • All units contain learning outcomes which set out what a learner is expected to know understand or be able to do as a result of a process of learning and assessment criteria which specifies the standard a learner is expected to meet to demonstrate that the learning outcomes of that unit have been achieved.
  • All units identify a single level for that unit which represents the complexity, autonomy and/or range of achievement expressed within the unit.
  • All units identify a credit value for that unit, the credit value is based on one credit for those learning outcomes achievable in 10 hours of learning. Learning time being identified as the time taken by learners at the level of the unit, on average, to complete the learning outcomes of the unit to the standard determined by the assessment criteria.
• How are Guided Learning Hours measured?

  Although guided learning hours as a measure for funding will be replaced, it is worth understanding how they are measured.

  Guided learning hours (GLH) are a measure of the time that a typical learner will require in direct guidance – from a teacher, tutor or other identified guidance provider – to complete their programme of learning successfully. For example for a one credit unit at level 1 is equivalent to 10 hours of learning, 90% (9 hours) of which should be GLH the further 10% (1 hour) could take the form of personal study time.

  QCF Guided Learning Hours

  Entry Level      100%
  Level 1             90%
  Level 2             80%
  Level 3              70%

  Entry Level                                          Level 1

  Credit Value    GLH                             Credit Value    GLH

  1                       10                               1                        9
  2                       20                               2                      18
  3                       30                               3                      27
  6                       60                               6                      54
  9                       90                               9                      81

  Level 2                                               Level 3

  Credit Value   GLH                             Credit Value     GLH

  1                        8                               1                         7
  2                      16                               2                        14
  3                      24                               3                        21
  6                      48                               6                        42
  9                      72                               9                        63

• Do NOCN qualifications attract School and College Achievement and Attainment Table (SCAAT) points?

  Many NOCN qualifications attract SCAAT points and the list is growing. The current list (April 2011) includes

  • Step-UP for 14+,
  • Qualifications in Progression for 16+,
  • Media literacy
• What is a nested qualification?

  The QCF allows for qualifications to be nested.

  The achievement of an Award can be banked towards a Certificate and/or Diploma as long as the rules of combination for that next qualification are also met.

• What is a spiky profile?

  A qualification has a spiky profile when the rules of combination allow for learning at a higher or lower level to count towards the achivement of the qualification.

  For example, a learner with English as a second language may function at Level 2 for most subjects but be slightly weaker in written English. Achievement at Level 1 in some units can count towards a Level 2 qualification.

  Alternatively, if a learner excels at a certian subject they can be stretched to a level above the final qualification in that subject to ensure they are engaged.

• What is a Unique Learner Number (ULN)?

  A unique learner number (ULN) is a 10 digit reference number which is used alongside, and to access, the Personal Learning Record of anyone over the age of 14 involved in UK education or training.

  Some, but not all, NOCN qualifications require a ULN in order for a learner to be registered.

  Learners will retain the same number for accessing their Personal Learning Record throughout their lives, whatever their level of learning and wherever they choose to participate in education, training and learning.

  Each ULN is issued and held by the Learner Register (LR). The Learner Register uses the number to index each learner’s identity details, education and training qualifications within the Personal Learning Record.

  The Learning Records Service has published a Top Tips Guide on the use of ULNs.