If you’re home educating you may have come across the AQA Unit Award Scheme and wondered what it actually is.
Is it a GCSE?
Does it count?
Is it worth doing for home educated children? When I first heard about the awards I’ll be honest I read a little into it, couldn’t really work out how it worked, got overwhelmed and forgot about it for two years!
It’s recently come back on my radar and I *think* I’ve worked it out so let’s talk about it properly.
Firstly I want to start by saying that this isn’t a review of the AQA award scheme, nor is it an ad! However the £2 tuition hub which we use regularly and love have recently collaborated with AQA to offer this scheme and I have signed my children up. In a couple of months when we’ve got some awards under our belts I’ll will do a full review. For now however I just thought I’d help you to understand how it works.
What Is the AQA Unit Award Scheme?
Let’s be honest — when you first hear “AQA” your brain probably goes straight to GCSE exam halls, invigilators in squeaky shoes, and that slightly traumatic feeling of “write your candidate number at the top of every page.”
Same.
But here’s the thing: AQA isn’t just about high-pressure exam papers. They also run something called the Unit Award Scheme (UAS) — and for home educating families, it can be a surprisingly lovely fit.
This isn’t a “turn your home into school” situation. It’s more of a “get your recognition for what you’re already doing brilliantly” option.
The AQA Unit Award Scheme (often shortened to UAS) is run by AQA, one of the main UK exam boards.
But unlike GCSEs or A Levels, the Unit Awards are not formal qualifications and work in a very different way.
Instead of working towards one large final exam, children complete individual units of interest / personal development learning. When they meet the outcomes for that specific unit, they receive an official AQA certificate (with hologram so I’m told)
Each certificate lists:
- The title of the unit completed
- The outcomes achieved
- The child’s name
- The issuing centre
There are thousands of units available; over 22000 to be exact, covering both academic subjects and practical life skills.
For home educators, that flexibility is often what makes it appealing; and the great thing is they can be all different subjects! Perhaps your child wants to try the makeup course, then fancies trying her hand at cooking, mechanics and Lama care (yes that’s actually one of the certificates)
Are AQA Unit Awards Formal Qualifications?
This is important to be clear about.
AQA Unit Awards are not formal qualifications like GCSEs.
They are best described as personal development certificates.
They recognise skills, knowledge, and achievement, but they do not carry GCSE grades and they do not replace qualifications required for certain college courses or career pathways.
What they do provide is structured, recognised evidence of learning which can be incredibly helpful for home educated children building a portfolio.
Why Do Home Educators Use AQA Awards?
Many parents search for “AQA awards for homeschoolers” or “Can home educated children do AQA awards?” because they want something official without jumping straight into high pressure exams.
The Unit Award Scheme can work well because it reflects the way home education often looks in real life.
Home education a lot of the time can be
- Project-based
- Interest-led
- Practical
- Flexible
- Often deeply hands-on
And AQA units can reflect that.
For example, children can complete units in:
- Baking and cooking skills
- Understanding animal habitats
- Environmental awareness
- Creative writing
- Employability skills
- Independent living skills
That baking project in your kitchen? It can become a recognised unit.
That habitat study with the model and display board? It can be certificated.
It acknowledges real learning, not just textbook learning.
Do AQA Unit Awards Involve Exams?
No.
There are no formal exams involved in the AQA Unit Award Scheme.
Evidence can include written work, photographs, projects, discussions, or practical demonstrations. The learning outcomes simply need to be met and verified by a registered centre.
For children who learn differently, struggle with exam anxiety, have additional needs, thrive in practical environments, or would love to get some outside recognition for their hard work the AQA awards scheme can feel far more manageable and enjoyable than traditional qualifications.
It provides recognition without the pressure of a timed paper in an exam hall.
How Do Home Educated Children Access AQA Awards?
Home educated children cannot register independently. You must go through a registered AQA centre.
This could be:
- A tutor
- A home education group
- An alternative provision
- A learning centre
The centre verifies that the outcomes have been met and submits the unit for certification. There are fees involved, which vary depending on the provider.
As I stated previously we will be using the £2 tuition hub, but I know Little crafters are also a registered provider and whilst I don’t believe you can get work signed off through them, I know Twinkl did collaborate with little crafters a couple of years back and have lots of worksheets that could go towards the awards on their site.
Do Colleges Accept AQA Unit Awards?
AQA Unit Awards are not a substitute for required GCSEs. However, they can strengthen a college or apprenticeship application by demonstrating:
- Commitment
- Consistency
- Skill development
- Independent learning
Some families use them alongside GCSE preparation. Others use them as stepping stones before formal exams. And some use them as part of an alternative pathway entirely, or of course purely for enjoyment.
Every home education journey looks different.
Are AQA Awards Worth It for Home Educated Children?
The honest answer? It depends on your child.
They may be helpful if your child:
- Would benefit from smaller milestones
- Needs confidence-building recognition
- Thrives on practical learning
- Is building a portfolio for further education
Home education isn’t about doing everything available. It’s about choosing what fits your child and your family.
For my children, we are going to give them a try for various reasons. For my eldest who has no idea what he would like to do post 16 – he’s got a bit of an interest in sports science / something sports related, he also loves cooking and nutrition, and whilst he’s already doing a NCFE cooking course, and will start a GCSE in food and nutrition later on this year, he’s going to broaden his knowledge with other food related AQA awards. He will also probably also do something coding / IT related to test the waters for a computer science or ITC GCSE.
Then there’s my 11 year old daughter who loves anything arts and crafts and wants to explore the certificates in that area just for ideas. I think she will also benefit from receiving outside recognition and I hope that the awards boost her confidence a little. As for my 8 and 6 years olds – well they are just in it for the certificates to be honest!
Final Thoughts on AQA Awards for Home Educators
The AQA Unit Award Scheme offers something quite gentle.
It doesn’t try to force home educated children into a rigid exam system.
It simply recognises progress.
They are not formal qualifications, and they are not GCSE replacements.
They are structured, recognised personal development certificates that can sit alongside a rich and individual home education.
And sometimes, having that official piece of paper that says “You did this” can mean more than we expect.
If you are interested in how we get on with the AQA awards make sure you check back in a few months for a full review. In the meantime head over to the AQA unit awards website and take a look at all the awards available AQA Unit Awards ……… oh and parents – you can also do the awards!!
English