Introduction to the Unit Award Scheme
The AQA Unit Award Scheme provides the opportunity to give students formal recognition of their success in short units of work.
The Scheme promotes effective teaching and learning by ensuring that those writing and delivering units give careful consideration to learning outcomes, evidence and assessment and by setting down clear targets for students.
Who uses the Scheme?
The Unit Award Scheme is used by approximately 1000 centres throughout the United Kingdom (schools, colleges, special education establishments, pupil referral units, hospital education services etc) to recognise student achievement across a wide range of subject areas and activities.
It can be used with students of any ability and of any age.
How is the Scheme used?
The Scheme was approved by QCA for use within two broad contexts:
To recognise the achievement of students of all abilities in all non-qualification contexts, including work-related learning and work experience, careers education, curriculum delivery, eg at Key Stages 3 and 4, enrichment activities, personal development, citizenship, sport, outdoor pursuits, study skills.
Centres may write their own units for use in non-qualification contexts and/or may use units written by other centres or by the AQA.
- To provide interim accreditation of the achievement of students following unit-based AQA Entry Level specifications.
Unit-based AQA Entry Level specifications (formerly known as Certificates of Achievement) are available as follows:
Art & Design
Design & Technology
English
French
German
History
Home Economics: Child Development
Information and Communication Technology
Italian
Mathematics
Personal, Social and Health Education
Religious Studies
Science
Spanish