Centre Recognition & Qualification Approval

Thinking of delivering a new qualification with us?

Whether you are new to us or already a recognised Centre we will support you in the appropriate approval process.

Existing Centres can start the process of applying for the qualification straight away using Prism.  If you haven’t used Prism before please complete this form and we will get in touch to help you.

New customers will need to become a recognised Centre and apply for qualification approval at the same time as this is a combined process. You should read our guide to Becoming a Recognised Centre before starting the application process.

I always find the help and support from the staff at Gateway Qualifications to be courteous, professional, extremely helpful, easy to talk to, and knowledgeable. We will continue to work with Gateway Qualifications as their customer service is amazing.

Provider feedback on Qualification Approval feedback survey
Existing Centres
Gaining approval for additional qualifications

If you’ve completed the process before you will know that you can do this through using Prism. You’ll just need to login and start a new Qualification Approval Application.

If you haven’t used Prism before to request additional approval, please complete this form and we will get in touch to support you.

When can I start delivery of a new qualification?

You must not begin to deliver a qualification until your application has been approved by Gateway Qualifications.

Centre Recognition & Qualification Approval Withdrawal

Should you wish to withdraw centre recognition or qualification approval please refer to the Centre Recognition Withdrawal Policy and Procedure. In the first instance please notify us by email to quality@gatewayqualifications.org.uk with details of your intention to withdraw or request to withdraw qualification approval. We will write back to you to confirm next steps and actions required.

We may also withdraw centre recognition if you have had no registrations within 12 months or qualification approval if you have not had registrations on selected qualifications for 2 years. In this case we will write to the named centre contact to confirm this and you will be given opportunity to respond.

New to Gateway Qualifications
Contact Gateway Qualifications

New customers can complete the Apply to run a Qualification form.

We will then get in touch with you to discuss the range of qualifications you would be able to access and our requirements.

Apply for Centre Recognition

To go ahead, you will need to read our Centre Recognition Policy and complete a Centre Recognition Application.

Before Centre Recognition can be completed you will be visited by one of our External Quality Assurers (EQAs) at a time that is convenient to all.

To finalise centre recognition you will be asked to accept our Centre Recognition Terms and Conditions. On confirmation of Centre Recognition an invoice for the Annual Centre fee will be sent to the named finance contact in the application.

Delivering and Assessing Qualifications Across Multiple Locations

Some Centres may deliver and assess qualifications at more than one location, both inside and outside of England and Wales. The guidance below is designed to help new and existing Centres understand the requirements when using satellite sites, venues, subcontracting, or partnership arrangements.

Important: The Centre that registers the learner is always responsible for that learner, regardless of any satellite site, venue, partnership, or subcontracting arrangement.

The learner should be registered at the location where they spend the majority of their time during the assessment. This means that if the learner is taught and assessed at a satellite centre, rather than the primary site (Recognised Centre), the satellite site must be linked to the learner at registration. For support in how to register a learner and link a site review the following: Completing, Downloading and Submitting Learner Registrations.

If you are a Centre delivering and/or assessing qualifications across satellite sites or venues, in countries outside of England*, you will need to tell us about them.

*Please note, not all qualifications are available to be delivered outside England. Always check the qualification specification for any country restrictions.

Satellite Sites

Gateway Qualifications considers a satellite site to be a permanent extension of a Recognised Centre, delivering teaching and assessment under the Recognised Centre’s management. If your Centre delivers or assesses qualifications at satellite sites — whether in England or outside England* — you must:

  • Notify us of any additional satellite sites at least 10 working days before delivery or assessment begins.
  • Notify us if delivery or assessment takes place in a different country from the registered Centre address.
  • Obtain formal approval before any activity takes place by completing the Site Approval form in Prism.

Please note: We may need to conduct additional checks (on-site or remotely), which may extend processing times.

Important to note:

  • A single Quality Assurance contact must oversee all delivery and quality assurance activities across all sites.
  • Our Centre Agreement terms and conditions apply equally to all satellite sites and the main site.
  • A serious quality issue at any satellite site may affect all sites, including the main Centre.
  • If satellite sites operate independently or wish to be treated as separate Centres, a separate Centre Recognition application will be required.
  • If there is a change in ownership or management control, we reserve the right to end Centre approval and require a new application.

 

Venues

A venue is a temporary location where the Recognised Centre delivers qualifications and/or assessments, but which is not part of the Recognised Centre.

Centres must notify Gateway Qualifications if:

  • The qualification is externally assessed, and delivery occurs at different venues (in any country).
  • Delivery or assessment takes place in a different country from the registered Centre address.

Please complete the Site Approval Form located in Prism for approval. Additional checks may be required, which could extend processing times.

Subcontracting and Partnerships

A subcontracting or partnership arrangement occurs when a Recognised Centre collaborates with a third party to deliver all or part of a qualification.

Requirements:

  • A written agreement or contract must outline each party’s responsibilities.
  • This agreement must be available to Gateway Qualifications on request.
  • If you have such an arrangement and have not informed us, you must seek formal approval by completing the Change Organisation Details form in Prism.

 

Remote learning

If you deliver or assess qualifications remotely and have not informed us, you must seek formal approval by completing the Change Organisation Details form.

A reminder, the learner should be registered at the location where they spend the majority of their time during the assessment. In this case, this would be either the Recognised Centre or a satellite site, where the remote delivery was provided and where the assessments were conducted.

Remote learners must receive the same induction, safeguarding, and learner protection measures as on-site learners. The Centre must ensure that the learner has access to appropriate learning resources (digital platforms, materials) with clear communication channels for support and queries and that robust monitoring of learner engagement and progress is recorded.

Change Organisation Details Form

Use the Change Organisation Details form in Prism to:

  • Request approval for satellite sites or venues.
  • Declare subcontracting or partnership arrangements.
  • Notify us of changes such as:
    • Company name
    • Billing address
    • Certification address

We will review your submission and may carry out quality assurance checks to ensure compliance with our standards.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance

To maintain quality assurance, we need to know which satellite sites or venues are being used. This ensures that monitoring activities include samples from all locations over time.

Failure to manage quality assurance effectively at alternative locations or with third parties may increase your Centre’s risk rating and result in sanctions.

Satellite site and partnership arrangements will be reviewed during recognition and monitored through ongoing quality assurance activities. During monitoring visits, your Centre EQA will request copies of partnership agreements and confirm that all partnerships are recorded.