In June 2010 a number of changes were made to the status of Arts Award qualifications, in line with current developments
Qualification framework
The Arts Award qualifications have now moved from the NQF (National Qualifications Framework) to the QCF (Qualification Credit Framework). The content of the qualifications and assessment criteria remain the same, and the adviser toolkit remains the resource used by both trainers, advisers and moderators when supporting young people through the award and assessing portfolios. The new framework gives a credit value to every unit and qualification which allows learners to see clearly how qualifications compare to each other.
Qualification titles
The official titles of both the Level 1 & 2 awards have remained the same but due to the structure of the Qualification Credit Framework the Level 3 qualification has changed from Level 3 Award in the Arts to Level 3 Certificate in the Arts.
Learning hours
The guided and independent learning hours for all three levels of Arts Award increased in July 2010 to reflect the average time centres are using to support young people through the Arts Award. These are guides only and do not require time logs. Evidence of fulfilling the criteria for each part of the award and meeting the necessary standards for the level of work, in line with the adviser toolkit, is what the adviser and then the moderator are looking for.