Guidance is available to support the Approval and Accreditation of Qualifications and Apprenticeships (AAQA). This is a new Engineering Council Standard (introduced in 2020) against which apprenticeships, including Degree Apprenticeships and Graduate Apprenticeships, and non-degree qualifications can be recognised. 

AAQA supports the formal recognition of competence, in addition to knowledge and understanding, developed through non-degree qualifications and apprenticeships. For higher level programmes, AAQA refers to the same learning outcomes as degree accreditation. Education providers that are interested in having non-degree programmes formally recognised should contact the relevant professional engineering institution (PEI) for advice.