What Qualifications Wales does

Qualifications Wales is a statutory regulatory body established by the Qualifications Wales Act 2015, operating as the independent regulator of non-degree qualifications in Wales. Headquartered in Wales, United Kingdom, with 51-100 employees, the organisation oversees a portfolio that includes GCSEs, AS and A levels, vocational qualifications, Foundation qualifications, Vocational Certificates of Secondary Education (VCSEs), Essential Skills Wales, and the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. It serves a broad stakeholder base spanning learners, parents and carers, educators and centres, awarding bodies, employers, and higher education institutions, with statutory accountability to Senedd Cymru and policy direction set by Welsh Government.

The organisation's core technology and digital infrastructure comprise the Qualifications in Wales (QiW) Database, which catalogues all approved and designated qualifications for under-19 learners; the Have Your Say digital engagement platform for stakeholder consultations; and a Digital Assessment infrastructure supporting on-screen testing and remote invigilation being rolled out from 2026 through 2031. Its Regulatory Framework operates as an interactive toolkit for recognised awarding bodies, covering recognition, approved qualifications, and designated qualifications. A field-based Strategic Engagement Team conducts regular visits to every school and college in Wales, maintaining direct relationships with examination officers, teachers, lecturers, and senior leaders.

Qualifications Wales does not operate a commercial revenue model. As a statutory public body, it is funded through Welsh Government grant-in-aid to perform its regulatory functions and does not charge fees for its regulatory services. Its legal scope is confined to non-degree qualifications delivered to learners under 19 in Wales, excluding higher education. The organisation is currently executing its most significant qualification reform since inception, introducing Made-for-Wales qualifications in three waves from September 2025 through September 2027, aligned with the Curriculum for Wales framework, alongside reforms to Essential Skills Wales scheduled for 2028.

Name

Qualifications Wales

Legal name

Qualifications Wales

Website

https://qualifications.wales

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Qualifications Wales is a statutory regulatory body that oversees non-degree qualifications in Wales, including GCSEs, vocational qualifications, Essential Skills, and the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, serving learners, educators, awarding bodies, and employers across Wales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Regulation

NAICS

Public Administration (92)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Qualifications Framework Authorities (NQF/Skills Framework) (EDADAFAB), Qualifications & Credit Framework Authorities (EDADAEAD), Assessment Policy, Benchmarking & International Comparability Authorities (EDADAFAJ), Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

Keywords

• Qualifications regulation
• Education oversight
• Vocational qualifications
• Qualification standards
• Awarding body regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Qualifications Wales is the independent statutory regulator for non-degree qualifications in Wales, established by the Qualifications Wales Act 2015. It recognises awarding bodies, approves and designates qualifications (including GCSEs, AS and A levels, VCSEs, Foundation qualifications, the Skills Suite, Essential Skills Wales, the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, and post-16 vocational qualifications), and monitors compliance with the regulatory framework. It also operates the Qualifications in Wales (QiW) database, the Have Your Say engagement platform, and is rolling out digital assessment capability across reformed National Qualifications.

Product overview

Qualifications Wales is the independent regulator of non-degree qualifications in Wales, operating as a regulatory body rather than a traditional product company. The organization's offerings consist of a portfolio of regulated qualification types and supporting services. The core qualifications portfolio includes National 14-16 Qualifications (GCSEs, VCSEs, Foundation qualifications, and Skills Suite), AS and A Levels, Essential Skills Wales, Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, and Post-16 Vocational Qualifications. Supporting this, the Qualifications in Wales (QiW) database provides the primary digital platform listing all approved and designated qualifications. Digital Assessment services enable on-screen testing and remote invigilation. The Regulatory Framework provides rules and guidance for awarding bodies, while Exams 360 educates stakeholders on the examination process. Sector Reviews assess vocational qualification quality across industries. These products work together to regulate, approve, and communicate about qualifications throughout Wales's education system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Qualifications in Wales (QiW) Database Online database containing details of all qualifications approved or designated for teaching in Wales for learners under age 19, including qualification titles, numbers, start and end dates, awarding body details, and performance measures. Used by centres, learners, and stakeholders in Wales.
• GCSE Qualifications General Certificate of Secondary Education qualifications available at Level 1 and Level 2, covering academic, creative and technical subjects. New made-for-Wales GCSEs are being introduced in two waves (September 2025 and September 2026) aligned with the Curriculum for Wales.
• VCSE (Vocational Certificate of Secondary Education) Work-related vocational qualifications for 14-16-year-olds spanning Level 1 and Level 2, providing practical introduction to employment sectors through hands-on learning and assessment. Available from September 2027.
• Foundation Qualifications Qualifications for learners aged 14-16 who may not be ready for GCSE or VCSE study, available at Entry Level and Level 1. Includes nine general subjects and 15 work-related subjects, available from September 2027.
• Skills Suite Comprises Skills for Life, Skills for Work, Skills for Life and Work, and the Personal Project qualifications available from Entry Level to Level 2. Allows learners to develop practical work and life skills through bite-size units and independent projects from September 2027.
• AS and A Level Qualifications Level 3 qualifications for post-16 learners, available as standalone AS levels or combined AS/A2 units forming full A levels. Approved qualifications delivered bilingually by WJEC, plus designated qualifications from AQA, Eduqas, and OCR.
• Essential Skills Wales Qualifications assessing key skills needed for life, learning, and employment, covering application of number, communications, digital literacy, and employability. Available from Entry Level 1 to Level 3, currently under reform with new qualifications planned for 2028.
• Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Level 3 qualification equivalent to an A level, enabling learners to develop integral skills (critical thinking, creativity, planning, personal effectiveness) through Global Community Project, Future Destinations Project, and Individual Project components. Recognised by universities across the UK.
• Post-16 Vocational Qualifications Vocational qualifications available from Level 1 to Level 6 for learners over 16, covering theory-based qualifications taught in schools/colleges and practical skills qualifications reflecting employer needs. Available in hundreds of subjects across various sectors.
• Digital Assessment Digital assessment capabilities for National Qualifications including on-screen tests, remote invigilation options, and digital examination delivery. Being introduced in phases from summer 2026 through 2031.
• Sector Reviews Comprehensive reviews of vocational qualification sectors conducted to assess qualification availability, quality, and alignment with employer needs. Completed reviews include Health & Social Care, Travel & Tourism, Engineering, ICT, Construction, Hair and Beauty, and others.
• Exams 360 Educational resource explaining how the exam system in Wales works, including how papers are set, what happens during marking, and how grades are awarded. Provides downloadable resources for stakeholders to understand the examination process.
• Regulatory Framework Interactive regulatory toolkit for recognised awarding bodies setting out rules for developing, delivering, and awarding qualifications in Wales. Includes regulatory documents, policy guidelines, and compliance requirements organized into three parts: Awarding Body Recognition, Approved Qualifications, and Designated qualifications.
• National 14-16 Qualifications Reformed suite of qualifications for 14-16-year-olds in Wales comprising GCSEs, VCSEs, Foundation qualifications, and Skills Suite, designed to support the Curriculum for Wales and introduced in waves from September 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• Learners can be confident that their qualifications are a fair, trusted and valued record of their knowledge, skills and understanding

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Welsh GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelsh Government sets the direction for education and decides on policy in Wales. Qualifications Wales works closely with Welsh Government to ensure qualifications meet the needs of learners and that there is public confidence in the qualification system. Collaboration includes curriculum development, policy coordination, and joint initiatives such as digital assessment infrastructure.
• WJECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWJEC is the primary awarding body developing new GCSEs and related qualifications for Wales. WJEC delivers bilingual (Welsh and English) approved qualifications and works with Qualifications Wales on qualification development and approval. WJEC developed the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in collaboration with stakeholders.
• CCEA RegulationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint guidance produced with CCEA Regulation on how qualifications can be designed to give all learners the fairest possible opportunities to show what they know, understand and can do, under the Fair Access by Design initiative.
• Careers WalessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral and support partnership providing careers guidance information to learners preparing for exams and assessments. Careers Wales website provides guidance on continuing with post-16 education, apprenticeships, and degree apprenticeships.
• Colegau CymrusupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Welsh colleges network to help learners explore further education options at colleges in Wales. Colegau Cymru website provides links to all Welsh colleges.
• UCASsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration with UCAS to ensure universities are continually updated about developments relating to qualifications and the qualifications system in Wales. UCAS provides information on higher education courses and applications.
• Working WalessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership providing free employment advice, guidance and access to training to help learners progress into work and further their career.
• Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCQ provides the rules for the security of papers and conducting exams. Qualifications Wales references JCQ instructions for conducting examinations and centres must follow JCQ guidelines alongside awarding body guidance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Welsh Government Department for Education: The Welsh Government's education directorate sets the policy direction and provides funding for Qualifications Wales. It is the regulator's principal sponsor and a key stakeholder, but operates as a government department rather than an independent regulator.

Others

• Estyn: Estyn is the education and training inspectorate for Wales. It is a thematic peer in Welsh education regulation but has a different remit (inspection rather than qualification regulation), making it an adjacent ecosystem participant.
• UCAS: UCAS is the UK universities and colleges admissions service, working with Qualifications Wales to ensure universities understand Welsh qualifications. It is an ecosystem participant rather than a direct regulatory peer.
• Careers Wales: Careers Wales provides careers guidance aligned with Welsh qualifications. It is a referral and support partner that channels learners into qualifications pathways regulated by Qualifications Wales.
• ColegauCymru / Colleges Wales: ColegauCymru is the representative body for Welsh further education colleges. It is a strategic partner in qualification design and delivery, particularly for post-16 vocational qualifications, but not a direct regulatory competitor.
• Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ): JCQ sets the rules for exam security and conduct across UK awarding bodies. Qualifications Wales references JCQ instructions for conducting examinations, making it a key infrastructure partner in the qualifications ecosystem.

Direct peers

• CCEA Regulation: CCEA Regulation is the qualifications regulator for Northern Ireland, structurally and functionally analogous to Qualifications Wales. The two organisations have produced joint guidance (e.g., Fair Access by Design), evidencing their direct comparability.
• Ofqual: Ofqual is the independent regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments in England. It is the most direct functional peer to Qualifications Wales, performing the same statutory regulatory role for English qualifications that Qualifications Wales performs for Welsh qualifications.
• Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA): SQA is the national body for qualifications and assessment in Scotland, responsible for accrediting qualifications and delivering national qualifications. It is a direct peer in terms of regulatory and awarding function across the UK home nations.

Emerging players

• WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee): WJEC is the primary awarding body for made-for-Wales qualifications and a core strategic partner of Qualifications Wales. While it is a regulated entity rather than a peer regulator, it is the principal delivery vehicle for many qualifications designed or designated under Qualifications Wales's framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quals_wales
• Facebookfacebook.com/qualswalescymcymru
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qualifications-wales

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Qualifications Wales