Progression Agreements

Progression Agreements are structured arrangements between the GMSA institutions. They facilitate progression from specified vocational programmes to higher level courses.

The aim of these agreements is to clarify and extend the range of options available to learners on vocational courses. Within the agreements, institutions guarantee an interview or offer of a place on a higher level programme to learners with a certain grade profile from a provider institution.

The concept has seen marked success in the past year, with two sector wide Progression Agreements secured – in Construction and ICT. In the Construction sector, people with National Diplomas and National Certificates now have up to thirty Higher Education programmes to choose from. The Information and Computer Technology Sector agreement has ensured that three different national diplomas have access to all Foundation Degrees within the sector.

The GMSA are working to secure Progression Agreements in all sectors. There is potential for network wide sector agreements which will create an array of Higher Education avenues for all learners with vocational qualifications. 

When signed, progression agreements are conveyed to learners, providers and insitutions through an online tool called GMSA  Pathways.

If you would like to add to an existing progression agreement or develop a new one please download and complete the short form, right, and return to rick.crowshaw@gmsa.ac.uk.