Background information about Awarding Organisations
The Learning Records Service helps streamline how individual learning and achievement information is collected, handled and shared across the education sector.
In conjunction with key partners, including
Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) (external link), we have developed the Learner Register (formerly called the Learner Registration Service). This free product allows all awarding organisations and educational providers to create and/or verify
Unique Learner Numbers (ULNs) and where appropriate, verify the qualification, award, credit, units and component learning information in order to streamline Awarding Organisations own business operations.
The Unique Learner Number (ULN) is a 10-digit identifier. It plays a significant role in the administration of many awarding organisations for the purpose of verifying your candidate details and sharing learning and achievement information such as awards. However, it will not necessarily replace awarding organisations' own enrolment or candidate numbers, but will help link information coming in from schools and being used later by colleges and universities.
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and Personal Learning Record (PLR)
QCF will be using the PLR, which supports Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT). CAT enables learners to accumulate their unit achievements within their own PLR and transfer these units between centres, colleges, learning providers and awarding organisations to gain full qualifications. The ULN is the key identifier that will allow the different units awarded by different organisations to be matched together, accumulated and transferred, where appropriate, for an individual to achieve full qualifications. The ULN will be of benefit to both the candidate and centre by providing a consistent point of reference - a 10-digit identifying number.
The Learning Records Service will be rolling out the PLR with candidates and students, schools, colleges, centres and providers. Next Step, the new name for the all age IAG careers advice service will also be using the ULN and PLR for the direct benefit of all those seeking lifelong careers advice.
Awarding Organisations are signing up to use the ULN and the PLR in order to comply with the new QCF reforms being introduced.. It is also being considered for their full catalogue of UK qualifications. The
Welsh Assembly (external link) is pilotting its use as well as universities in England via the UCAS Apply system.
Take the next steps to using the QCF Personal Learning Record
The Developer’s Teamsite holds all the information you require for the QCF Personal Learning Record. To gain access, download and complete the
Developer’s Registration Form.
When you are ready to begin using the test environment, you will need to ensure you have signed and returned an
Awarding Organisation Agreement and Organisation Registration Form.
14-19 Diplomas
The ULN is a compulsory element of 14-19 Diplomas. It is required by all the awarding organisations involved in the aggregation of any 'units or components' that will contribute to a Diploma. Component Awarding Body (CABs) send a candidate’s component achievements to the
Diploma Aggregation Service (DAS) (external link). This service aggregates a learner's component achievements, notifying the relevant Diploma Awarding Body (DAB) when a learner has completed all the elements required for a full Diploma. The DAB can then issue the final Diploma certificate. The ULN is the key identifier that allows the different components to be matched together and aggregated for an individual to achieve the diploma.
The Learning Records Service provides completely free to use systems, products and functions to support:
- Better sharing of award information and data between centres, colleges, universities and Next Step careers service
- Aggregation of a candidates' achievement data into qualifications
- A sector-wide means to streamline examination administration using one ULN which could be used as a unified Candidate Identifier
- A secure mechanism enabling student candidates to access their qualifications and other achievements electronically using the PLR
- Candidates are always in control of how that data is shared outside Awarding Organisations
For more information and support:
