Loading
Credit is a unit used to express the notional volume of learning. Ashbourne adopts the following credit convention:
1 Credit = 10 Notional Learning Hours
120 Credits × 10 Hours = 1,200 Total Qualification Time
These quantities are notional and are used for planning and comparison purposes only.
The Total Learning Commitment
TQT is the total amount of time expected to be spent by a learner to achieve the learning outcomes of a qualification. It includes all relevant learning activities, such as:
Structured Learning with Guidance
GLH represents the amount of time a learner spends in relevant learning under the guidance or supervision of a qualified teacher, tutor or other appropriate person, according to Ashbourne’s adopted definition.
Examples include:
Understanding the Relationship
TQT
The complete learning journey
GLH
The guided component of the learning experience
GLH is always part of the TQT, but TQT includes additional independent and assessment-related activities.
Level 7 Professional Diploma
The example below shows how credit and learning volume apply to a typical Level 7 professional diploma within the Ashbourne framework.
Clearly communicates the size and scope of a qualification to learners and stakeholders.
Supports comparable design and delivery across centres and programmes.
Ensures learning outcomes, assessment and credit are appropriately aligned.
Helps centres allocate resources, plan delivery and support learner success.
Approved Centres play a vital role in ensuring learning-volume integrity.
Centres must ensure learners have the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes within the expected learning volume.
Regulatory Compliance Note: Ashbourne qualifications are designed and developed by subject specialists across academia and professional practice within a structured academic and quality assurance framework to support professional learning and progression. All Ashbourne qualifications are currently self-regulated.