Course Prerequisites for Ofqual-Regulated Qualifications

Overview

Some of our qualifications have mandatory entry requirements known as prerequisites. These prerequisites help ensure that learners already possess the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required to study safely and successfully at a more advanced level.

As BISMA delivers Ofqual-regulated qualifications, learners must meet the entry requirements specified by the relevant awarding organisation before they can be registered onto certain qualifications.

What Is a Prerequisite?

A prerequisite is a qualification that must be successfully completed before you can enrol onto a more advanced qualification.

Certain qualifications build upon the knowledge and skills gained from previous regulated qualifications. For this reason, learners must hold the appropriate prerequisite qualification before registration can take place.

Qualifications That Require Prerequisites

Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training

To enrol onto the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training, you must first hold a recognised Ofqual-regulated Level 2 Fitness Instructor (Gym Instructor) qualification.

The Level 3 qualification builds upon the knowledge and practical skills gained during Level 2, including:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Health and safety within a fitness environment
• Principles of exercise and fitness
• Gym-based exercise instruction
• Planning and delivering safe exercise sessions

If you do not yet hold a Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification, you may enrol onto our Combined Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training Course, allowing you to complete both qualifications as part of one programme.

Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral

To enrol onto the Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral, you must first hold a recognised Ofqual-regulated Level 2 Fitness Instructor (Gym Instructor) qualification.

This qualification prepares fitness professionals to work with clients referred by healthcare professionals and therefore requires learners to already possess the knowledge and competence developed during a regulated Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification.

Level 4 Strength and Conditioning

To enrol onto the Level 4 Strength and Conditioning qualification, you must first hold a recognised Ofqual-regulated Level 3 Personal Training qualification.

Evidence of your Ofqual Level 3 Personal Training qualification will normally be required before registration.

Why Must the Prerequisite Qualification Be Ofqual Regulated?

An Ofqual-regulated qualification has been developed and quality assured by an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation and forms part of the regulated qualifications framework.

These qualifications are designed to meet nationally recognised standards for:

• Learning outcomes
• Assessment methods
• Quality assurance
• Qualification level
• Occupational competence

Advanced qualifications are designed to build upon these recognised standards. Therefore, where a qualification specification requires a prerequisite qualification, it is normally expected that the prerequisite is also an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Are Non-Ofqual-Regulated Courses Accepted?

No. Many organisations offer fitness courses that are not regulated qualifications. Although these courses may provide useful knowledge, they do not normally satisfy the entry requirements for an Ofqual-regulated qualification where a regulated prerequisite is specified.

Examples include:

• Certificates of attendance
• CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses
• In-house company training
• Private certificates that are not Ofqual regulated
• Unregulated online courses
• Overseas qualifications that have not been recognised as equivalent by the awarding organisation

Completing one of these courses does not automatically satisfy the prerequisite requirements for an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Qualifications Achieved with Another Training Provider

You do not need to have completed your prerequisite qualification with BISMA.

We are happy to accept qualifications achieved through another training provider, provided they:

• Are Ofqual regulated (where required)
• Have been awarded by a recognised awarding organisation
• Meet the published entry requirements for the qualification you wish to study

Older Qualifications

Older Ofqual-regulated qualifications may still satisfy the prerequisite requirements.

However, qualification content, unit structures and qualification titles can change over time. Where a qualification is significantly older or has a different title or structure, BISMA may need to verify with the relevant awarding organisation that it is considered an acceptable prerequisite before registration can take place.

This helps ensure that learners meet the current entry requirements specified for the qualification they wish to study.

University Degrees and Higher Education Qualifications

Holding a university degree does not automatically satisfy the prerequisite requirements for an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Although many university degrees contain relevant knowledge in areas such as sport, exercise science, physical education or rehabilitation, higher education qualifications are not normally accepted as meeting the prerequisite unless the relevant awarding organisation has confirmed that they satisfy the published entry requirements.

In some cases, a degree programme may include recognised regulated qualifications or learning that the awarding organisation considers equivalent. Where this applies, BISMA may request additional information, such as a transcript or module breakdown, and seek confirmation from the awarding organisation before registration can take place.

If you hold a university degree and are unsure whether it meets the entry requirements, please contact us before enrolling. Our team will review your qualifications and advise whether they are acceptable for the course you wish to study.

Providing Evidence of Your Qualification

Before registration, learners may be asked to provide a copy or clear photograph of their qualification certificate.

The certificate should clearly show:

• Your full name
• The qualification title
• The awarding organisation
• The date the qualification was achieved

Where necessary, BISMA may request additional information to verify that the qualification satisfies the published entry requirements.

Unsure Whether Your Qualification Meets the Entry Requirements?

If you are unsure whether your qualification satisfies the prerequisite requirements, please contact us before purchasing your course.

Simply send us a copy of your qualification certificate (including the certificate page that includes the units studied) by email on admin@bisma.org and our team will review it against the relevant awarding organisation’s published entry requirements. We will be happy to confirm your eligibility before you enrol.