Level 3 Award/Certificate Assessing Vocational Achievement

Course Code: P293031

Key Information

  • Course type:

    Vocational

  • Campus:

    Highbury Campus

  • Start Date:

    01 Aug 2025

  • Duration:

    1 year

  • Attendance:

    Part-time

  • Fees:

    Not Available

Male teacher listening to students at adult education class

Earn a nationally recognised TQUK Level 3 Award or Certificate in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement at City of Portsmouth College. 

This award is designed for individuals who assess learners' knowledge and skills in non-work environments such as classrooms, workshops, or training centres, while the certificate is intended for those who assess both occupational competence in the work environment and vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in a workshop, classroom or other training environment.

These qualifications are ideal you if you are:

  • an aspiring or current assessor in vocational education
  • a trainer and educator who wants to formalise your assessment skills
  • a professional seeking to support learners through regulated qualifications.

You will develop expertise in:

  • planning and conducting assessments
  • using a variety of assessment methods (e.g. written questions, projects, case studies)
  • providing constructive feedback
  • ensuring fair, valid, and reliable assessment practices.

Upon completion, you will be qualified to assess vocational achievement and can progress to roles such as Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) or further study, including the Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.

You should have a minimum of Level 2 in literacy or numeracy or equivalent. The qualifications are suitable for over-18s.

This qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible for busy professionals:

  • Blended, online or face to face delivery: Most learners complete the course through online study, supported by tutor guidance and digital resources.
  • Practical assessment observations: Learners must complete two to four hours of assessed practice, including four formal observations, each lasting at least 30 minutes. These can be arranged in your workplace or through your training provider. 
  • Self-study: Additional study time is expected for completing your online portfolio and written tasks, usually around 36 hours.

This flexible structure allows you to balance study with work and other commitments.

Assessment for this qualification is designed to reflect real-world practice and includes:

  • written assignments to demonstrate understanding of assessment principles and methods
  • practical assessment tasks, such as planning, conducting, and reviewing assessments of learners in vocational settings
  • observation of assessment practice, either in person or via recorded evidence, to confirm competence
  • reflective accounts to support professional development and understanding of assessor responsibilities.

All assessments are internally marked and externally quality assured to ensure consistency and fairness.

School Leavers under the age of 19 do not have to pay fees on any full time courses, though may have to pay for their second year if turning 19 during their studies. If you’re aged 19 or over you might qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It’s easy to apply for and you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000. If you are studying a part-time course and you receive one of the following benefits, or you depend financially on someone who does, you may be entitled to have your tuition fees waived: Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support. You will, however, have to pay any awarding body/assessment fees (unless you are on a first full level 2 course). * If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit or receive other allowances, you may be eligible to claim concessionary rates. If you are entitled to a fee concession you will be asked to provide proof of your entitlement. It is essential that you inform us if your entitlement changes at any time during your course.

Completing this qualification opens up several career and educational pathways:

Professional roles

  • Qualified Assessor: You’ll be able to assess vocational knowledge and skills in classroom or training environments.
  • Trainer or tutor: Many learners use this qualification to support teaching roles in further education or private training.
  • Apprenticeship Assessor: Ideal for those working with apprenticeship programmes where vocational knowledge is assessed.

Further qualifications

  • Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA): This broader qualification includes assessing both vocational knowledge and workplace competence.
  • Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance (IQA): Progress to quality assurance roles, overseeing assessment practices within organisations.
  • Level 5 Diploma in Training, for those looking to move into teaching in further education.

Career Development

  • Workplace learning and development roles: Use your assessment skills to support employee training and development.
  • Education management: With further experience and qualifications, you could move into curriculum design or quality assurance leadership.

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