Our degree apprenticeship framework
End point assessment
How programme assessment strategies should align with apprenticeship standards.
Programme assessment strategies must align with the Assessment Plan associated with the Apprenticeship Standard. This includes formative and summative assessments that support the achievement of the programme and prepare apprentices for the end point assessment (EPA).
Assessment across the course should focus on the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) required by the Apprenticeship Standard, and will culminate in the EPA. Prior to undertaking the EPA, apprentices must meet the gateway requirements set out in the Apprenticeship Standard. This ensures that all apprentices have completed the mandatory aspects of the occupational standard and any work that underpins specified assessment methods. It also demonstrates that the employer believes the apprentice is occupationally competent at the point they pass the gateway.
End point assessments
The end point assessment (EPA) is an independent assessment at the end of the apprentice's training. It confirms they have reached occupational competence, can perform in the occupation they have been trained in, and can demonstrate the KSBs set out in the occupational standard.
The EPA must include at least 2 forms of assessment, and these will be specified in the assessment plan for the apprenticeship standard.
The EPA can be taken in 2 ways:
- Non-integrated: These EPAs are conducted by independent End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAO), contracted by York St John University and selected by the employer. The University cannot be the EPAO in a non-integrated degree.
- Integrated: The University acts as the EPAO, and the EPA is an integrated aspect of the degree. This means the EPA has credits attached which contribute to the overall classification. The EPA must still deliver an impartial result, and the assessor must be independent of the programme, employer and apprentice.
For non-integrated apprenticeships, the apprentice must have passed their programme modules in order to sit the EPA. Successful completion of the degree does not constitute completion of the apprenticeship. This is only achieved when the EPA has been achieved.
The University is responsible for providing continued support to the apprentice until the EPA is completed.
