IQA Qualifications: What IQA Means and the Importance of IQA

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What Does IQA Mean?

IQA stands for Internal Quality Assurance. IQA is the process of ensuring that the learning and qualifications in an educational environment, meet agreed quality standards.

The aim of Internal Quality Assurance is to ensure that assessment practices are consistent, fair, and reliable. They need to result in valid and accurate assessments of learners’ knowledge, skills, and understanding. IQA is an important component of the overall quality management system in the education and training sector.

What is the Job of the IQA?

The job of the IQA is to oversee the quality assurance process of an organisations training programme. The IQA is responsible for making sure that all the training delivered meets the necessary standards. These standards are set by both the training provider and awarding body.

The IQA is also responsible for making sure that the assessors and trainers within the organisation are trained to the required standards. This would be the organisations ‘Lead IQA‘. This role is also known as a Centre Lead or Quality Manager.

The specific job duties of an IQA may vary depending on the organisation, but generally, an IQA’s job may include the following:

  1. Developing and implementing quality assurance systems and processes
  2. Ensuring that assessors and trainers are using valid and reliable assessment methods and techniques
  3. Monitoring the assessment practices of assessors and trainers to ensure they are consistent and fair
  4. Providing feedback and support to assessors and trainers to improve their assessment practices
  5. Reviewing assessment decisions to ensure they are accurate and valid
  6. Ensuring that all assessment practices are compliant with relevant policies, procedures, and regulations
  7. Maintaining accurate records and documentation of all quality assurance activities.

See more: ‘What is the role of an IQA?‘

What is an IQA Qualification?

An IQA qualification is a type of professional, vocational qualification from the TAQA suite. IQA qualifications provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to carry out quality assurance activities related to assessment within the education and training sector.

Where Can I Get an IQA Qualification?

With us at Brooks and Kirk. We are specialists in the TAQA suite of qualifications and have been delivering IQA courses to many happy learners for years. We offer three different IQA qualifications.

What Are the Three Different IQA Qualifications?

Each qualification corresponds to different job roles and levels of responsibility.

Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (Lead IQA)

The Lead IQA qualification involves more advanced training in quality assurance. This includes how to design and implement quality assurance processes and procedures; how to manage staff involved in quality assurance activities; and how to develop and implement quality assurance policies and procedures.

Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (IQA Award)

The IQA Award is less extensive than the Lead IQA, but is still a highly respected qualification to have in your roster. This IQA qualification provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct internal quality assurance of assessment effectively, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

This last IQA qualification is theory based, and involves learning the principles and practices of quality assurance. It does not qualify you to quality assure in any way, as it is all covering the purpose of quality assurance, rather than applying it.

Who is an IQA Qualification suitable for?

IQA qualifications are typically designed for professionals working in the education and training sector, who are already qualified assessors.

Individuals who are responsible for managing, coordinating, or conducting internal quality assurance of assessment and other learning activities – such as assessors, trainers, teachers, and tutors – are suitable to undertake an IQA qualification. In addition, individuals who are aspiring to work in these roles and seeking to develop their skills and knowledge in quality assurance can also undertake an IQA qualification.

See more: ‘Is Becoming an IQA for You?‘

What Are the Benefits of Completing an IQA Qualification?

Completing an IQA qualification can lead to many benefits, including:

  1. Improved job performance – you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform your job duties more effectively.
  2. Employers look for individuals who have the necessary qualifications to perform the job. By earning an IQA qualification, you will increase your credibility and employability in the field.
  3. By completing an IQA qualification, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the quality of educational or training programs within your organisation.
  4. Completing an IQA qualification can lead to career advancement opportunities within your organisation or industry.

See more: ‘The Benefits of Completing your IQA Qualification‘.

How Long Do IQA Qualifications Take?

The length of time it takes to complete an IQA qualification varies depending on which qualification you choose, and how many hours per week you can put into it. We don’t have any time constraints with our IQA qualifications. So, whether you can put plenty of hours in a week to get it done in a few short months; or, only a couple of hours a week at your leisure; all of our IQA qualifications are completely flexible around you.

Each qualification has a set amount of Guided Learning Hours and Total Qualification Time, which gives you a rough guideline of how many hours you need to put in a week.

What Will I Learn from an IQA Qualification?

The content of the qualification will vary depending on the level of the qualification, but typically includes:

  • Understanding the principles and practices of quality assurance: This includes learning the basic principles of quality assurance, how to manage quality assurance activities, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance processes.
  • Planning, managing, and evaluating quality assurance activities: This involves learning how to design and implement quality assurance processes and procedures, as well as how to manage staff involved in quality assurance activities.
  • Developing and implementing quality assurance policies and procedures: This involves learning how to develop and implement quality assurance policies and procedures at a strategic level.

See more: ‘4 things you will learn during an IQA qualification‘.

What is the Difference Between an Assessor and an IQA?

An assessor is responsible for assessing the performance and knowledge of learners. They typically work one-on-one with learners and use assessment methods such as observation, questioning, and product evidence to assess learner competence.

The IQA, on the other hand, is responsible for overseeing and managing the quality of educational or training programs within an organisation. IQAs are responsible for making sure that the assessors are trained to the required standards, and that the educational or training programs meet the required standards.

See more: ‘Assessor and IQA – What is the difference?‘

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Internal Quality Assurer?

The roles and responsibilities of an internal quality assurer may vary depending on the organisation and the level of the qualification. However, some common roles and responsibilities include:

  1. Planning and managing quality assurance activities: This involves developing and implementing quality assurance processes and procedures, as well as managing staff involved in quality assurance activities.
  2. Ensuring compliance with external and internal standards: This involves making sure that educational or training programs meet external and internal standards, and that they are delivered in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation.
  3. Providing feedback and support to assessors: This involves providing feedback to assessors on their performance, as well as providing support to help them improve their performance.
  4. Evaluating the effectiveness of quality assurance activities: This involves evaluating the effectiveness of quality assurance activities and making recommendations for improvement.

What is the Cost of an IQA Qualification?

Our prices for the IQA qualifications are:

We also have instalment options available.

How to Become an Internal Quality Assurer

To become an internal quality assurer, you will need to complete an IQA qualification. The specific requirements may vary depending on the organisation and the level of the qualification, but typically involve the following steps:

  1. Choose the right qualification, based on your job role and level of responsibility within the organisation.
  2. Complete the IQA qualification, which will involve online learning and practical experience.
  3. Gain experience working as an internal quality assurer, which may involve working with assessors to manage and maintain the quality of educational or training programs within an organisation.
  4. Continue your professional development by attending workshops, conferences, and training courses to keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.

If you’re interested in becoming an IQA, send us your CV below to confirm your eligibility and we will get back to you within one working day.

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