ISO 9001:2026 (Quality Management Systems)

1. Quality Management Principles and ISO 9001:2026 Framework: Quality management principles, QMS structure, process approach, customer focus, leadership, and continual improvement.

2. Organisational Context and Stakeholder Requirements: Internal and external issues, interested parties, organisational objectives, and quality management system boundaries.

3. Leadership, Quality Policy, and Organisational Responsibilities: Leadership commitment, quality policy, roles, responsibilities, authorities, and quality culture.

4. Risk-Based Planning and Quality Objectives: Risks, opportunities, quality objectives, change planning, process risks, and quality performance planning.

5. Resources, Competence, Awareness, and Documented Information: Infrastructure, monitoring resources, organisational knowledge, competence management, awareness, communication, and documented information.

6. Operational Planning and Control: Customer requirements, product and service controls, design and development, external providers, production, service delivery, and release controls.

7. Performance Evaluation and Internal Auditing: Monitoring, measurement, analysis, evaluation, customer satisfaction, internal audits, management review, and QMS performance.

8. Nonconformity, Corrective Action, and Continual Improvement: Defect management, root cause analysis, corrective action, improvement planning, and organisational learning.

9. ISO 9001:2026 Implementation and Quality Management Project: QMS implementation planning, gap analysis, process mapping, audit preparation, and applied quality management project.

• Develops practical knowledge of ISO 9001:2026 Quality Management Systems.

• Builds competence in QMS implementation, auditing, and performance evaluation.

• Strengthens skills in risk-based quality planning and corrective action.

• Supports quality improvement across manufacturing, construction, engineering, services, healthcare, and other sectors.

• Provides a structured foundation for advanced quality management and auditing careers.

• Quality Managers and Quality Assurance Professionals

• QA/QC Engineers and Quality Control Officers

• Internal Auditors and Compliance Professionals

• Process Improvement and Operations Managers

• Professionals responsible for implementing or maintaining a Quality Management System

• Assessment Format: Written examination, ISO 9001 case studies, QMS documentation exercises, internal audit assignment, gap analysis, and implementation project.

• Total Questions: 80

• Passing Score: 60 percent

• Duration: 180 Minutes

• Certification: HiQual UK ISO 9001:2026 upon successful completion.

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the HiQual UK ISO 9001:2026 may progress to:

• ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor or advanced Quality Management System auditing qualifications.

• HiQual UK Level 5 Diploma in Quality Management, Quality Assurance, or Business Improvement.

• HiQual UK Level 6 Diploma in Quality Assurance and Quality Control or other advanced quality management qualifications.

• Professional qualifications and specialist training in ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, Integrated Management Systems, Risk Management, Process Improvement, Lean Management, or Six Sigma.

• Employment or career advancement in roles including Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Manager, QMS Manager, ISO Coordinator, Internal Auditor, Lead Auditor, Compliance Officer, Quality Improvement Specialist, or Continuous Improvement Manager.

• Continuing professional development and advanced studies leading to senior positions in quality management, auditing, compliance, operational excellence, and organisational performance improvement.