AQA
Unit Award Scheme
Player Ready delivers over 750 AQA Unit Awards across game development, coding, digital art, robotics, and employability. Bite-sized qualifications with no exams and no minimum hours — perfect for building confidence and momentum.
Enrol a StudentAQA Approved
Centre
No. 84612
750+ Units Available
Quality Assured by AQA
What Is the AQA Unit Award Scheme?
A nationally recognised framework for recording achievement — one unit at a time.
The AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS)is a flexible way to recognise and certificate learner achievement. Each unit is a short, focused qualification that can be completed at the learner's own pace — there are no set hours, no exams, and no time limits.
Units are designed to be accessible to learners of all abilities. They're particularly effective for young people with SEND who benefit from regular, tangible recognition of their progress. Every completed unit results in an AQA-issued certificate — building a portfolio of real achievements.
750+
Units Available
No Exams
Portfolio-Based
All Ages
AP & Post-16 Learners
- AQA is the UK's largest exam board and awarding body
- The Unit Award Scheme is used by over 4,000 centres nationwide
- Units are quality-assured by AQA and meet national standards
- Recognised by employers, colleges, and training providers
- Certificates are issued directly by AQA for each completed unit
- Player Ready is independently approved as an AQA UAS centre
How AQA Unit Awards Work
Flexible, accessible, and designed for early wins.
No Set Hours
Unlike NOCN qualifications, AQA Unit Awards have no minimum guided learning hours. A unit can be completed in a single session or over several weeks — whatever suits the learner.
No Exams
Assessment is entirely portfolio-based. Learners demonstrate skills through practical projects, written reflections, and tutor observations. No written examinations.
Standalone Achievements
Each unit is a standalone, nationally recognised qualification. Learners receive an AQA certificate for every unit they complete — building a growing record of achievement.
Confidence Builders
Designed to give learners early wins. The bite-sized format means quick feedback, tangible certificates, and momentum — especially valuable for learners re-engaging with education.
What We Deliver
Six core subject areas with hundreds of units to choose from. Every unit is tailored to the learner's interests and goals.
Minecraft & Game Design
From basic Minecraft builds to coding Lucky Blocks, designing ecosystems, making servers, and creating game design documents. Learners develop problem-solving and computational thinking through tools they already love.
Example units▼
- •Minecraft Education: Coding Fundamentals
- •Designing and Coding a Minecraft Lucky Block
- •Designing a Custom Minecraft Ecosystem
- •Programming a Robot Inside Minecraft
- •Game Design Concepts and Flowchart Creation
- •Game Design with Roblox Studio
3D Modelling & Animation
Industry-standard tools like Blender for 3D modelling, character design, and animation. Learners create tangible portfolio pieces — from basic models to full animated scenes.
Example units▼
- •3D Modelling with Blender: Foundations
- •Creating a Basic 3D Model Inside Blender
- •Creating an Animation Using Blender
- •Digital Animation
- •Digital Creativity: Animation and Music
- •Stop Animation
Coding & Programming
Python, Lua, visual scripting, and physical computing with Raspberry Pi. From first lines of code to building responsive programs and debugging solutions.
Example units▼
- •Introduction to Python
- •Computer Programming: Creating Solutions Using Python
- •Programming with Python: Creating a Responsive Maths Quiz
- •Unity-Specific Coding Conventions
- •Introduction to Programming with Raspberry Pi
- •Physical Computing with Digital Making
Digital Art & Creative Media
Digital art, graphic design, video editing, and content creation. Learners explore pixel art, image editing, video game vlogs, and social media content — building creative confidence and a visual portfolio.
Example units▼
- •Digital Art: Exploring Techniques
- •Digital Art Fundamentals Using Creative Apps
- •Creating a Video Game Vlog
- •Introduction to Video Editing Software
- •Creating a Video Game Style Self-Portrait
- •Using Pixel Art to Create a Player Skin
Employability & Life Skills
CV writing, interview preparation, teamwork, and career planning. Practical skills that prepare learners for the workplace, apprenticeships, or further education — complementing their technical portfolio.
Example units▼
- •Employability Skills: Communication and Literacy
- •CV Writing: An Introduction
- •Interview Skills
- •Employability Skills: Teamworking
- •Employability Skills: Problem Solving
- •Engaging with the Careers Service
Robotics & Emerging Tech
LEGO Mindstorms, Spike Prime, VEX Robotics, and AI fundamentals. Hands-on engineering and computational thinking through building, coding, and controlling real-world devices.
Example units▼
- •Starting Up and Basic Coding of a LEGO Spike Prime Robot
- •Starting Up and Basic Coding of a VEX Robotics Robot
- •Starting Up and Basic Coding of a LEGO Mindstorm Robot
- •Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- •Employability Skills: Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
- •Exploring the Principles of Digital Graphics
Who AQA Unit Awards Are For
Accessible qualifications for learners at every stage.
Alternative Provision Learners
For KS3 and KS4 students in AP, AQA Unit Awards provide recognised achievements from day one. No waiting for end-of-year exams — learners earn certificates as they go, building confidence and a record of progress that schools and parents can see.
Post-16 Foundation Stage
AQA Unit Awards form Stage 1 of our Post-16 Progression Pathway. They re-engage learners with structured learning before progressing to NOCN SETPD qualifications at Entry Level 3 and beyond.
SEND & Neurodivergent Learners
The flexible, no-pressure format works well for learners with ADHD, Autism, PDA, anxiety, and other neurodivergent needs. Units can be paused, adapted, and completed at whatever pace suits the individual.
Coding Club Members
Students attending our after-school and holiday coding clubs can earn AQA Unit Awards alongside their club activities — turning hobby time into certificated learning in Minecraft, Python, Roblox, and more.
AQA + NOCN: A Complete Pathway
AQA Unit Awards and NOCN qualifications work together to create a structured progression route.
AQA Unit Awards — Foundation
Bite-sized achievements that build confidence and re-engage learners. No set hours, immediate certificates. Available to all AP and Post-16 students.
NOCN SETPD — Formal Qualifications
Ofqual-regulated qualifications from Entry Level 3 to Level 3 with UCAS points. Portfolio-assessed, nationally recognised, and delivered alongside continued AQA units. Learn more about NOCN
Employability AQA Top-Ups
AQA employability units complement NOCN at every level — CV writing, interview skills, teamwork, and career planning. These sit alongside NOCN to round out the learner's portfolio.
Start Earning Qualifications
AQA Unit Awards are available to all our AP and Post-16 learners. No waiting — students can start earning certificates from their first session.
Email alternativeprovision@player-ready.co.uk or call 0117 463 3150