What is The Difference Between EQA & IQA

Quality assurance is an essential part of any organisation. It maintains that all assessments carried out within the organisation are conducted fairly. Without quality assurance, organisations could lose a lot of credibility — not to mention disgruntled employees.

Many people looking to provide quality assurance for an organisation tend to go for internal quality assurance (IQA) roles, as these are widespread and well known. However, external quality assurance (EQA) is a lesser known but equally important role.

Learn the difference between IQA and EQA in this month’s article. 

What is Internal Quality Assurance?

Internal quality assurance is the process of monitoring the quality of assessments from within an organisation. IQAs are responsible for ensuring that all assessments are conducted fairly so that every learner has an equal opportunity for success. Internal quality assurance should be implemented throughout a learner’s time on a course, including everything from monitoring the interview process right the way to the follow-up after completion.

 The main benefits of internal quality assurance are:

• Standardisation – ensure all assessors are performing to the same standards across organisations
• Feedback – obtain learner feedback to improve experience with a provider
• Trust – improve end-user trust by assuring learners they will be assessed fairly

What is External Quality Assurance?

External quality assurance is the process of monitoring IQA activities to ensure that they have been conducted fairly. While the IQA is responsible for ensuring assessments are conducted fairly within an organisation, the EQA is responsible for ensuring that the IQA is acting responsibly and fairly in their role. 

External quality assurance is carried out by the quality assurer of the awarding body. The awarding body exists externally to the organisation being monitored, hence external quality assurance. 

The main responsibilities of the external quality assurer are:

• Monitor the relevant training centre’s processes and practices
• Support the relevant training centre’s staff
• Provide staff with advice and guidance on areas for improvement

How can I become an IQA?

Internal quality assurers are required in almost every organisation across a huge range of industries. Becoming an IQA will provide you with new opportunities, responsibility and an increase in salary.

To become an internal quality assurer, you will need to complete an IQA course and earn the relevant qualification. There are three different IQA qualifications, each of which provides you with a different level of responsibility.

The Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF) is ideal for managers or anyone who is already a qualified trainer or assessor and who wishes to brush up on their IQA knowledge and get a deeper understanding of the process and role.

The Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF) is for anyone who simply wants to become an internal quality assurer within an organisation.

The Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF) is for anyone who wants to become the lead internal quality assurer within an organisation. 

All of the above qualifications are available for enrollment right now with CTC Training. With CTC Training, you can earn qualifications from anywhere in the world and on your own schedule. Simply enrol on a course and you’ll gain access to our 24/7 student portal, where you can view course content and upload assessments at your convenience. 

Enrol on a course today to unlock your potential.