1. Criteria

To obtain approval, level 4 and 5 qualifications must meet specified criteria:

  • Cycle 5.2's criteria is only applicable to qualifications submitted in cycle 5.2
  • Cycle 5.1's criteria is only applicable to qualifications submitted in cycle 5.1

 

2. Cycle 5 timeline and application form

The application window for cycle 5.2 is open and will close on Monday 10 February 2025. Further information on the next application window will be published soon.

We will analyse applications in the order in which they are received. Some applications that were submitted in the primary window of cycle 5.1 were approved in time for a first teach date of September 2025. Applications approved in the primary window of cycle 5.1 that did not achieve this first teach date will have a first teach date of September 2026.

Qualifications submitted in the secondary window will only be available for first teach from September 2026. 


We ask applicants to attend a support session prior to submitting their application. You will need to have a support session before being able to access the online application form. To help you prepare for your support session and online application we have provided an offline version of the form.

Further information on available support can be found on our support and resources page. Please email the HTQ approvals team for further information, guidance, or support.

 

3. Roles

Pre application

Applicants:

  1. Book a pre-application support session to check your application is likely to meet our  approvals criteria.   You will only be given access to the online application form after a support session.
  2. If you are not the IP holder for the qualification you want to submit, seek permission from the IP holder. This includes all HNCs and HNDs which need permission from Pearson. 
  3. Before attending your support session, please review the following resources: 

 

IfATE Officials:

  1. Review any application materials received from applicants following their support session and offer tips where possible. Send out password for the live online application form once confident that the applicant has understood the criteria.  

 

Application analysis

Applicants

  1. Submit qualifications for approval ensuring submissions meet IfATE’s criteria (see above). 
  2. Promptly respond to any requests from IfATE officials regarding any further evidence or information required. 

IfATE Officials 

  1. Receive and analyse qualifications against IfATE’s approvals criteria and liaise with applicants throughout the approvals process.
  2. Liaise with Statutory Regulators who may advise IfATE about any relevant ongoing or impending regulatory action into a relevant qualification or applicant. When making approvals decisions, IfATE will have due regard to this advice. This may include Ofqual, OfS and any other professional body relevant to the occupation. 
  3. Prepare and present advice to internal boards and committees (Employer Route Panels).


Employer Route Panels

  1. Provide the employer voice in the approvals process and ensures qualifications meet employer needs. Route panels review advice provided by IfATE Officials and ensures that IfATE’s criteria takes into account employer insight.

 

4. Approval decisions

Approvals Committee 

  1. Provide accountability to ensure approval criteria has been applied and due diligence has been followed. The Approvals Committee have delegated authorities who have been identified as suitably qualified and experienced individuals, to undertake specific approval activities. The Approvals Committee has the final decision-making authority for products including apprenticeships, HTQs and T levels. 

 

IfATE Officials 

  1. Will notify applicants of an approval decision following IfATE’s governance process. Approval decisions will be confirmed via a formal decision letter.
  2. Will update the list of approved HTQs published on IfATE’s website.

 

AOs / ABs with HTQ approved qualifications

  1. Follow guidance provided by IfATE which will include materials to support with marketing and preparation for the delivery of HTQs.

 

Post approval

 

AOs / ABs with HTQ approved qualifications

  1. Notify IfATE of any changes to the qualification including minor or major changes. More detail of this can be found here  

 

IfATE Officials 

  1. Support applicants through the IfATE change process.
  2. Carry out periodic reviews on qualification approvals. More details on this will be published soon. 

 

 

5. Procedural review

If you are unhappy with the final decision made in connection with your application you may be able to challenge IfATE’s decision by way of Procedural Review.

Procedural Review is an opportunity to challenge IfATE’s decision if you feel that the published process has not been followed or if you think there has been a material error made by IfATE during the approvals process. Procedural Review is not an avenue to challenge a decision of IfATE simply because you do not agree with it.

 

Last updated 13 December 2024
(CC, NS)