Withdrawal and redevelopment of our current Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia

Following the development of our new Cambridge National in Creative iMedia (J834), we are withdrawing the qualifications below. We will, of course, continue to support and assess these qualifications up to the conclusion of the final assessment series in June 2023.

The final assessment opportunity for all units is the June 2023 series with a resit opportunity for the examined unit R081 only in the January 2024 series.

When is the final assessment opportunity?

The final assessment opportunity for all units will be the June 2023 series.

A resit only series will be available for examined unit R081 in January 2024.

What is the last series I can make a certification entry for these candidates?

The January 2024 series is the last opportunity to make certification entries

Why is OCR withdrawing these qualifications?

All Technical Award qualifications, such as Cambridge Nationals, must be updated for first teaching September 2022 to meet the new requirements as set out in the technical guidance for 14-16 qualifications.

This technical guidance is for any qualification that will contribute to performance tables from 2024 onwards. Therefore, our current Cambridge National qualifications are being replaced by a redeveloped suite of Cambridge Nationals qualifications, designed to meet the updated technical guidance.

When is first teaching of the redeveloped qualification (J834)?

First teaching of the redeveloped qualification is September 2022. All students starting a two-year course in September 2022 will need to be taught the redeveloped qualification.

Can we start delivering the current qualifications as a two-year course in September 2021?

Yes, you can deliver a two-year course from September 2021 and complete (certificate) in summer 2023.

However, if you offer the current Cambridge National Certificate over Years 9 and 10, as these students are due to finish Key Stage 4 in summer 2024, the qualification will not be recognised in performance tables. The current qualifications contribute to performance tables for a final time for students finishing Key Stage 4 in summer 2023.

The redeveloped suite has been submitted for inclusion in the 2024 tables and to contribute to these tables, the redeveloped qualification must be delivered.

Can we start delivering the current qualifications as a three-year course in September 2021?

No, as the last availability for all units of the current qualification is June 2023 and they will not contribute to performance tables in 2024 (when these students are due to complete key stage 4), you will need to deliver the redeveloped qualification – see below

Can we start delivering the redeveloped qualification (J834) as a three-year course in September 2021?

The qualification is designed and regulated for first teaching September 2022 and the initial list of qualifications confirmed for the 2024 performance tables in England is due Autumn 2021. Final specifications and sample assessment material may not be available at the start of September 2021.

If you do decide to start delivering some of the content in September 2021, it is on the understanding that final specifications may not be available, and the content could be subject to change.

We are a centre in Wales/Northern Ireland – are we affected in the same way?

No, we have decided not to offer the redeveloped suite of Cambridge Nationals in Wales and Northern Ireland.

This difficult decision is based on the relatively low uptake in Wales and Northern Ireland.

For details of other awarding organisations offering alternatives to these qualifications in Northern Ireland, please view the Ofqual register on the following link:

http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/

For up-to-date information about qualifications offered in Wales, please visit:

www.QiW.wales    

The final assessment opportunities for the current qualifications are the same for England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Who can I talk to for more information?

To learn more about the options available to you please talk to our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email support@ocr.org.uk