If you work in education, training, or professional development in the UK, you have likely come across the term learning outcomes framework. A learning outcomes framework is a clear structure used to design qualifications around what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do by the end of a course. It focuses on achievement and ensures consistency in delivery and assessment.
At Focus Awards, we use a learning outcomes framework across our qualifications to keep them clear, consistent, and aligned with employer needs.
In this blog, we explain what a learning outcomes framework is, how it is used in vocational qualifications, and why it matters for training providers and learners.
What Is a Learning Outcomes Framework?
A learning outcomes framework is a structured way of describing what a learner should know, understand, or be able to do by the end of a course or qualification. Rather than simply listing topics that are taught, it focuses on the results of learning. In other words, what the learner actually gains.
In the UK, learning outcomes are a core part of how regulated qualifications are written and assessed. Every unit within a qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) contains clearly written learning outcomes, along with the assessment criteria that show how those outcomes will be measured.
If you are new to how qualifications are structured in the UK, our guide on qualifications explained is a good place to start.
Why Does a Learning Outcomes Framework Matter?
The framework matters for several reasons. First, it gives clarity. When learning outcomes are written clearly, both the tutor and the learner know exactly what needs to be achieved. There is no guesswork about what is expected.
Second, it ensures consistency. Because every approved qualification on the RQF must follow the same approach to learning outcomes, learners across the UK can be assessed to the same standard, whether they are studying in London, Manchester or anywhere else.
Third, it supports evidence-gathering. Assessment in vocational qualifications relies on learners showing evidence of their competence. A well-written learning outcomes framework makes it easier to understand what kind of evidence is needed and how it should be presented.
This connects directly to how regulated qualifications work in practice as every unit is built around outcomes and evidence.
What Is a Learning Outcome?
A learning outcome is a statement that describes what a learner will be able to do after completing a unit or qualification. It is written from the learner’s perspective and usually starts with a verb, for example:
- Understand the principles of health and safety in the workplace.
- Be able to plan and deliver a fitness session.
- Know how to assess learner competence in a vocational setting.
Each learning outcome is paired with assessment criteria which are the specific things a learner must demonstrate to prove they have achieved the outcome. Together, the learning outcomes and assessment criteria form the backbone of a qualification unit.
What Are Gagne’s 5 Learning Outcomes?
Robert Gagne was an educational psychologist who identified five categories of learning outcomes. His framework is still widely referenced in training and education design today. The five outcomes are:
- Verbal information — the ability to recall and state facts or knowledge.
- Intellectual skills — the ability to apply rules, concepts, and procedures.
- Cognitive strategies — the ability to manage one’s own thinking and learning.
- Motor skills — the ability to carry out physical or practical tasks.
- Attitudes — the internal states that influence a learner’s choices and behaviour.
In vocational qualifications, you will see all five of these categories at play. A healthcare qualification, for example, will require learners to recall medical knowledge (verbal information), apply care procedures correctly (intellectual skills and motor skills), and demonstrate professional attitudes towards patients.
What Are the 5 Stages of Learning Outcomes?
While there is no single universal model, many qualification designers and education specialists refer to five stages in the development and use of learning outcomes:
- Define — clearly state what the learner will know or be able to do.
- Align — make sure the outcomes match the level of the qualification and the needs of the sector.
- Assess — identify the assessment criteria that will be used to measure each outcome.
- Deliver — design learning activities that help learners achieve the stated outcomes.
- Review — evaluate whether the outcomes have been met and whether they remain relevant.
This cycle is important for training providers and awarding organisations alike. It ensures that qualifications remain current, relevant, and fit for purpose.
At Focus Awards, qualification development follows a rigorous process to make sure all learning outcomes are appropriate for the level and sector. You can find out more on our qualification development page
Learning Outcomes in UK Vocational Qualifications
In the UK, the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) sets out how qualifications must be structured. Every regulated qualification is made up of units, and every unit contains:
- A title and level.
- A credit value (which reflects the amount of learning involved).
- Learning outcomes — what the learner will achieve.
- Assessment criteria — how that achievement will be measured.
This structure applies to all regulated qualifications, from Level 1 introductory awards right through to Level 5 diplomas. It is what makes qualifications nationally recognised and comparable across the UK.
To understand more about how the RQF works, visit our RQF page or read our post on an example of an RQF qualification.
The Early Years Learning Outcomes Framework
One of the most well-known applications of a learning outcomes framework in education is in early years settings. In the UK, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets out the learning and development requirements for children from birth to age five.
Internationally, frameworks such as the Early Years Learning Framework in Australia (known as ‘Belonging, Being and Becoming’) and the Learning Outcomes Framework in Malta have been developed to guide early childhood education. These frameworks describe the outcomes that children are expected to work towards covering areas such as communication, physical development, personal and social skills, and understanding of the world.
While Focus Awards does not directly award the Malta or Australian frameworks, the principle is the same as in vocational qualifications – define what learners (or children) should achieve, and design the learning experience around those outcomes.
For those interested in qualifications that support work in early years and childcare settings, Focus Awards offers a range of child development and wellbeing qualifications at various levels.
What Are Generic Learning Outcomes?
Generic learning outcomes are broad statements of achievement that apply across a wide range of subjects and sectors. Rather than being specific to a particular job role or qualification, they describe transferable skills and knowledge that learners develop through any structured programme of learning.
Common generic learning outcomes include things like:
- The ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken form.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Time management and organisation.
These outcomes are often embedded within vocational qualifications alongside the more specific, job-related outcomes. They reflect the broader value of education, not just what you can do in a specific role, but how you approach work and learning in general.
How Focus Awards Uses the Learning Outcomes Framework
As an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation, Focus Awards designs all qualifications in line with the requirements of the RQF. This means every qualification we offer is built around clearly defined learning outcomes and evidence-based assessment criteria.
Our qualifications span a wide range of sectors, from health and social care to sports, beauty, teaching, and business management. In every case, the learning outcomes are written to reflect what employers and learners genuinely need — real skills, real knowledge, and real evidence of competence.
Training providers who deliver Focus Awards qualifications receive full support, including access to our centre support hub and supporting materials to help deliver learning outcomes effectively.
You can browse our full portfolio of qualifications to see how learning outcomes are applied across different sectors and levels.
Why Training Providers Should Understand Learning Outcomes
If you run a training centre or deliver vocational qualifications, understanding the learning outcomes framework is essential. It affects how you plan your sessions, how you support learners to gather evidence, and how your internal quality assurance process works.
Tutors and assessors need to be confident in interpreting learning outcomes and assessment criteria. This is why qualifications for assessors and internal quality assurers (IQAs) are so important — they give educators the skills to work effectively within the framework.
Find out more about assessor qualifications and IQA qualifications available through Focus Awards.
If you are interested in becoming an approved centre and delivering Focus Awards qualifications, visit our become a centre page to find out how.
Conclusion
A learning outcomes framework is not just an administrative tool, it is the foundation of quality education and training. It gives learners clarity about what they are working towards, gives assessors a consistent standard to apply, and gives employers confidence that a qualification means something real.
Whether you are a learner exploring your options, a training provider looking to improve your delivery, or an employer considering how to invest in your team, understanding how learning outcomes work is a valuable starting point.
You can explore our full range of qualifications on our website at https://focusawards.org.uk/qualification/ or contact us directly at info@focusawards.org.uk or on 0333 3447 388.
