Augmentative and Alternative Communication qualifications and training courses

Last Updated: 29 May 2024

The award and certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication qualifications are designed to be wide ranging qualifications that allow learners to develop effective communication. It is designed to be taught or facilitated by a variety of professionals and carers including teachers, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists.
You'll learn to communicate through non-verbal means including symbols and word boards and sophisticated electronic communication aids.

Please use the following links to check funding availability:

England - please check: Ofqual
Scotland - please check: SCQF and SQA

The award and certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication are for anybody who has little or no natural speech.

Available to deliver in the following:

England
Scotland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

While completing this qualification, you'll cover things like:

developing conversation skills
directing others
expressing feelings and preferences
using Remote Communication as a communication tool.

You'll learn at your own pace, usually with a group. You'll probably prove your skills by completing writing tasks or talking about your learning with your assessor.

Which level is right for me?

Entry Level 2
You have some basic communication skills and want to learn new non-verbal ways to express yourself.

Entry Level 3
You may have a qualification at Entry Level 2 and want to continue to make progress with your communication skills, learning new techniques and using new technologies.

Level 1
You have gained basic communication skills at entry level and want to continue to make progress and advance with new techniques and skills.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications do not lead to any specific jobs or careers, however candidates may progress into further studies.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

In order to deliver this qualification, you will need qualified assessors - you can train internal members of staff or recruit specially.

Centres offering the Award and Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication must have a positive communication policy, resources and have a commitment to the use and development of the AAC systems, both high and low technology in all situations.

Centres should also have access to a speech and language therapist for assessment and advice on language communication skills, selecting and developing the most appropriate AAC systems.

To find the requirements for assessment please see the qualification handbook for further details.

No previous experience or qualifications are required.

Entry 2

Entry Level 2 is ideal if you have some basic communication skills and want to learn new non-verbal ways to express yourself.

The award and certificate require you to complete one mandatory unit:

Conversation Skills: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 2).

For the award, you also complete two credits from a range of optional units, including:

Developing Communication Skills (Entry 1)
Directing others: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 2)
Organise own Augmentative and Alternative Communication equipment (Entry 3).

For the certificate, you also complete 10 credits from a range of optional units, including:

Developing Independent Living Skills: Having your say (Entry 1)
Asserting Independence: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 2)
Dealing with Problems in Daily Life (Entry 3)

Please note that learners wishing to achieve the Entry 2 Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication must take 50% or more credits from the level they are claiming.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications do not lead to any specific jobs or careers.

Entry Level 2, 3 and Level 1 Award and Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3716-01)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Entry level 2 Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Accreditation No: 501/1048/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 14 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 140 - 140 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 140 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £106.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Entry Level 2 Award in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Accreditation No: 501/1052/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 6 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 60 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £106.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Entry 3

Entry Level 3 is ideal if you have a qualification at Entry Level 2 and want to continue to make progress with your communication skills, learning new techniques and using new technologies.

The award and certificate require you to complete one mandatory unit:

Conversation Skills: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 3).

For the award, you also complete two credits from a range of optional units, including:

Directing others: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 2)
Asserting Independence: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 3)
Remote Communication: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Level 1).

For the certificate, you also complete a minimum of 10 credits from a range of optional units, including:

Organise own Augmentative and Alternative Communication equipment (Entry 2)
Dealing with Problems in Daily Life (Entry 3)
Organise own Augmentative and Alternative Communication equipment (Level 1).

Please note that learners wishing to achieve the Entry 3 Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication must take 50% or more credits from the level they are claiming.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications do not lead to any specific jobs or careers.

Entry Level 2, 3 and Level 1 Award and Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3716-01)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Entry level 3 Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Accreditation No: 501/1049/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 14 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 140 - 140 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 140 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £106.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Entry Level 3 Award in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Accreditation No: 501/1050/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 6 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 60 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £106.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 1

Level 1 is ideal if you have gained basic communication skills at entry level and want to continue to make progress and advance with new techniques and skills.

The award and certificate require you to complete one mandatory unit:

Conversation Skills: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Level 1).

For the award, you also complete a minimum of two credits from a range of optional units, including:

Directing others: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 3)
Asserting Independence: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Level 1)
Dealing with Problems in Daily Life (Level 1).

For the certificate, you also complete a minimum of 10 credits from a range of optional units, including:

Remote Communication: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Entry 3)
Directing others: communicating with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Level 1)
Organise own Augmentative and Alternative Communication equipment (Level 1).

Please note that learners wishing to achieve the Level 1 Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication must take 50% or more credits from the level they are claiming.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications do not lead to any specific jobs or careers.

Entry Level 2, 3 and Level 1 Award and Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3716-01)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 1 Award in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Accreditation No: 501/1051/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 6 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 60 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £106.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 1 Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Accreditation No: 501/1084/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 14 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 140 - 140 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 140 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £106.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

Additional documents

3716 FAQs v1 pdf 189 KB 24 Jul 2018

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3716)