students writing at individual desks in exam conditions

Course Summary

The course is designed to provide a formal level 7 qualification covering the skills necessary to enable you to become a Specialist Assessor, to carry out Exam Access Arrangements in line with JCQ requirements.

The course runs twice per year, starting in September and February (subject to viable students numbers). Students attend all four sessions from their chosen block.

Upon successful completion of this stand-alone module you will gain 20 ‘Level 7’ Master’s credits and will be qualified to carry out Exam Access Arrangements in line with STA and JCQ regulations.

You can use your 20 credits towards a wider Level 7 qualification; for example our Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) MA or our Education MA.

What you'll Study

  • Test theory, reliability and validity; how to critically choose between tests.
  • How to select and administer formal standardised tests for Exam Access Arrangements. 
  • How to score and interpret the results in line with JCQ requirements for Exam Access Arrangements.
  • How to complete the relevant paperwork set by the JCQ in order to support external applications for reasonable adjustments.

The course is assessed via;

  1. A 3,000-word academic essay critically reflecting on the Exam Access Arrangements process. Your course tutor will guide you through this and you will have access to our Academic Skills Department for support.
  2. Portfolio of work relating to 2 different case study learners. These will be learners you choose from your own setting in negotiation with your course leader.

Course dates and times

You will be taught via 4 x Friday sessions face to face on Exton Park campus from 9:30am – 4:00pm. The sessions are delivered over a 4-5 month period with approximately one session per month to allow time for consolidation between sessions. You must attend all four sessions.

  • Cohort 1 begins in October 2024, with final assessments due in March.
  • Cohort 2 begins in February 2025, with final assessments due in July.

Cohort 1
Friday 18th October 2024 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 8th November 2024 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 13th December 2024 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 10th January 2025 9:30am-4:30pm

Cohort 2
Friday 7th February 2025 9:30am-4:00pm
Friday 14th March 2025 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 2nd May 2025 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 6th June 2025 9:30am-4:30pm

Fees and Funding

£1,265 for full course (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

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