Pearson Vocational Additional Qualifications Approval Handbook - International centres - Approval process and application guidance

Oct 20, 2026

Pearson Vocational Additional Qualifications Approval Handbook supports Pearson-approved international BTEC centres delivering extra Pearson BTEC qualifications. It explains how to apply, including completing and submitting the Offering Additional Vocational Qualifications form electronically, and outlines the approval process from initial review to potential desktop review by subject specialists. Guidance covers required documentation, checklist use to avoid delays, and timelines for final decisions, including actions if concerns cannot be resolved.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Approval process

What happens during a desktop review?

Final approval decision and documentation

Completing the Offering Additional Vocational Qualifications application form

Section 1: Your organization

Section 2: Qualification delivery

Pearson centre recognition criteria

Pearson Vocational Additional Qualifications Approval Handbook International centres Pearson Vocational Additional Qualifications Approval Handbook We have designed this Pearson Vocational Additional Qualifications Approval Handbook to support Pearson-approved international BTEC centres who want to deliver additional Pearson BTEC qualifications. This guide takes you through applying for additional qualifications, covering how to fill in the form and providing detailed guidance on the approval process. If you are not yet a Pearson-approved centre, please complete our expression of interest form on our website. Within this handbook, you will find: 1. Approval process: an outline of our approval process and what to expect throughout your qualification approval journey. 2. Completing the Offering Additional Vocational Qualifications application form: guidance and key points to support your application. 3. Approval application checklist: use this checklist to ensure you have completed and included all documentation to avoid any delays to your application. 1. Qualification approval process You should use the Pearson Vocational Additional Qualifications Approval Handbook alongside the approval form you have received from us. 1. Once we receive your application, we’ll review the form to determine whether we can proceed with the approval process, and we’ll provide confirmation of this decision to you. If we cannot proceed with your application, we’ll explain why and you will need to reread the handbook, make any necessary changes and resubmit your application. 2. Each qualification you apply for may require a desktop review by a subject specialist. What happens during a desktop review? The subject specialist will review the staff involved in the delivery, assessment and verification of the qualifications, as well as your centre's resources and assessment materials, where appropriate. If the specialist requires more information while reviewing your application, they will contact your Regional Representative who will support you in gathering this information. When you respond, please be clear on how you addressed the specialist’s concerns. If you are unable to resolve any concerns to the specialist's satisfaction within two attempts, or your application remains open for three months, your application will be formally closed. Following the desktop review, the subject specialist will complete a detailed report and send this to your local Pearson contact. You will be notified of our final approval decision within seven working days of the approval review. If you are granted additional qualification approval, your centre will be provided with the necessary documentation. Additional information for International BTEC Level 2 and 3 programmes: Centres are required to use Pearson’s Authorised Assigned Briefs for Year 1 or the first cycle of delivery. 2 . Completing the Offering Additional Vocational Qualifications application form This information will guide you through the requirements of the approval application form. Use the drop-down options to select answers to questions and complete the required free text spaces. Please ensure that information is clear, jargon-free and accurate. We will only be able to accept applications electronically. We cannot accept handwritten or scanned applications. Section 1: Your organization Centre and contact details We use this section to confirm your centre details. Landline telephone number We are unable to accept mobile phone numbers. The telephone number is for the main site, not an individual, therefore it must be a landline phone number. Section 2: Qualification delivery Complete this section to confirm which Pearson qualifications you want to deliver. For each qualification you want to include, complete all sections, including the qualification number (QAN) if it has one. You can find this number on each qualification’s specif

FAQs

What is the approval process for additional Pearson BTEC qualifications?

After submission, Pearson reviews the form and confirms whether it can proceed. Some qualifications may require a desktop review by a subject specialist before a detailed report is sent to the local Pearson contact and a final decision is notified within seven working days.

What happens if the subject specialist needs more information?

The specialist contacts the Regional Representative. You should respond clearly on how you addressed the specialist’s concerns.

What requirements apply when completing the application form electronically?

Applications must be submitted electronically; handwritten or scanned applications are not accepted. Use the drop-down options for answers and complete required free-text fields with clear, jargon-free and accurate information.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Sophia Brooks