Frequently Asked Questions about the PAPAA
Will this course qualify me to assess for Access Arrangements for General Qualifications?
The PAPAA course meets the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) criteria for an access arrangements assessor qualification. It is equivalent to Level 7, and on successful completion of the course, PAPAA graduates will be able to carry out access arrangement assessments for the qualifications overseen by the JCQ.
What qualifications will I need to access this course?
As the PAPAA is equivalent to Level 7, we expect applicants to have a suitable Level 6 qualification – this is usually an undergraduate degree, e.g. BSc/BEd/BA. Applicants who do not have a degree level qualification may be considered on a case by case basis, based on their previous experience.
In addition, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) require access arrangement assessors to ‘either hold an appropriate qualification to teach and make recommendations for secondary aged or adult learners who have learning difficulties, or be a HCPC registered psychologist’ (see section 7.3.4 in the JCQ AARA document). Applicants should therefore have a teaching qualification, usually at Level 5 or above. This would include QTS, QTLS, DTLLS, PGCE, HLTA, or a Level 5 diploma in teaching learners with Dyslexia/SpLD.
We consider eligibility on a case by case basis, so please email admin@include-ed.org.uk if you are unsure whether you would qualify.
How long will the course take to complete?
The PAPAA course fulfils the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) requirement to include at least 100 hours relating to individual specialist assessment. This includes the taught content, assignments, further reading and practice. The total time taken will depend on previous knowledge and experience, but we estimate about 115-120 hours. Most students will be accessing at least parts of the course online and it is up to students to decide the best way to fit the course into their working lives.
We encourage our students to aim to complete the course within 9 months, but allow a short extension at no cost if needed. We have also had some students complete in less than 3 months. Please inform the Course Manager if you are in a position to complete the hours required quickly and we will allocate an assessor who can support you to do this.
Will I be able to use the PAPAA as points towards my Masters?
Yes. The University of Hertfordshire have agreed to grant PAPAA graduates 30 credits through the process of Accredited Prior Learning (APL) for applicants onto their MA Education programmes.
The University of Roehampton have agreed to grant PAPAA graduates 20/30 credits through the process of Accredited Prior Learning (APL) for applicants onto their MA SEND and Inclusive Education, or their MA Education (SEND modules would not be available to PAPAA graduates, they would need to complete the Early Childhood or Leadership modules). The start date on the MA course must be within 5 years of certification on the PAPAA course.
The Open University may consider your PAPAA qualification as recognition of prior learning towards one of their Masters qualifications. More information can be found here: https://www.open.ac.uk/study/credit-transfer/
As we are externally moderated and verified by the CIEA, the PAPAA course is as rigorous as any Master’s Level qualification. If you are already considering a masters course with another provider you may find that they will also consider the PAPAA qualification when accrediting prior learning.
When/where is the course available?
PAPAA is delivered through 4 main options.
PAPAA On-Demand: Allows students to access learning in their own time at their own pace. delivered through online on-demand video presentations, which can be replayed and reviewed.
PAPAA Hybrid: A combination of webinar training and online individual learning. Start the course with 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 1 (covering all the core Unit 1 taught sessions, and discussing/beginning all of the Unit 1 assignments). Unit 2 taught sessions are delivered through our online on-demand video presentations.
PAPAA Live: Webinar training. Start the course with 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 1 (covering all the core Unit 1 taught sessions, and discussing/beginning all of the Unit 1 assignments). Later in the course access 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 2 (covering all the core Unit 2 taught sessions, and discussing/beginning all of the Unit 2 assignments).
PAPAA Bespoke For regional or academy groups (minimum of 8 participants), the PAPAA Hybrid option delivered at a venue of your choice.
For full details please see our PAPAA Overview page.
Will the PAPAA qualify me to gain an Assessment Practising Certificate, assess for Dyslexia, and/or carry out Disabled Student’s Allowance assessments?
Not on its own, but PAPAA is recognised as a route to an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), which will qualify you to assess for Dyslexia and carry out Disabled Student’s Allowance assessments. (For more information about the APC please see here.) PAPAA graduates who also hold a specialist teaching qualification accredited at Approved Teacher Status (ATS) or Approved Practitioner Status (APS) level (e.g. SpLD Teaching qualification level 5) are eligible to enrol on the PATOSS ‘Diagnosing Dyslexia: Assessment Practice and Reporting’ course. Successful completion of this course will lead to an APC.
Will the PAPAA qualify me to teach students with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties?
No, you need to consider doing another qualification such as a Level 5 diploma in teaching learners with SpLD.
Do I need to purchase all the tests that are covered on Unit 1?
No. Firstly you may already have some of the tests in your centre. You will need an examiner booklet for the tests covered in Unit 1; we will provide you with these at the beginning of the course for a fee to cover their cost.
You will need access to some full test kits in order to carry out the assignments. We have a small library of tests that you can borrow from if needed (click here to view our library of tests).
You will, of course, you will need a battery of tests after you graduate in order to carry out access arrangement assessments. We have negotiated various discounts from test publishers.
How much does the course cost?
PAPAA On-Demand Allows students to access learning in their own time at their own pace. delivered through online on-demand video presentations, which can be replayed and reviewed. Cost £1,600
PAPAA Hybrid A combination of webinar training and online individual learning. Start the course with 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 1 (covering all the core Unit 1 taught sessions, and discussing/beginning all of the Unit 1 assignments). Unit 2 taught sessions are delivered through our online on-demand video presentations. Cost £1,850
PAPAA Live Webinar training. Start the course with 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 1 (covering all the core Unit 1 taught sessions, and discussing/beginning all of the Unit 1 assignments). Later in the course access 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 2 (covering all the core Unit 2 taught sessions, and discussing/beginning all of the Unit 2 assignments). Cost £2,150
PAPAA Bespoke For regional or academy groups (minimum of 8 participants), the PAPAA Hybrid option delivered at a venue of your choice.
Cost £POA