Who validates Access to HE courses?

Access to Higher Education programmes are validated by Authorised Validating Agencies (AVAs), which are partnership organisations with members including further and higher education institutions. AVAs are licensed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to validate Access to HE courses and award the nationally recognised Access to HE qualification to successful access students.

There are 15 AVAs currently licensed by QAA in England and Wales. Most AVAs are Open College Networks and their work is co-ordinated by the National Open College Network. Others work collaboratively as the Federation of Authorised Validating Agencies. Contact details for the AVAs are available on the Access to HE website.

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