Become an associate

Become an associate

Join a community of subject matter experts who work with us to design and deliver exams

What's in it for you

As an associate, you'll be able to:

Progress your career

Continue your professional development and enhance your current role.

Work flexibly

Fit work around your regular job and your home and work commitments.

Enhance your knowledge

Keep your subject knowledge up to date.

Develop new skills

Work with us to become a recognised expert in assessment.

Apply for roles

Discover more about the positions we have available and how to apply below.

Further information is available in the senior associate recruitment pack (963.69 KB).

Are you an experienced senior associate with an in depth understanding of exam delivery, who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold national standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’re looking for delivery focused Chief Examiners to oversee the delivery of the below specifications:

  1. Level 1 Foundation Project Qualification (7991)
  2. Level 2 Higher Project Qualification (7992)
  3. Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (7993)
  4. International Extended Project Qualification (9695)

These roles can be worked flexibly and designed to be carried out alongside full time teaching commitments.

You will be required to attend a number of full day meetings. The majority of the workload falls between April and July for our summer series delivery, and October – December for our November series delivery.

What you’ll do

You’ll play a key role in overseeing, supporting and influencing the quality and consistency of standardisation, moderation and awarding. You will help to resolve escalations and ensure robust processes are in place, by communicating and embedding the consistent application of mark schemes and grade boundaries. Your role will be essential in delivering assessments that meet the needs of both students and teachers.

What we are looking for

  • Project based subject expertise and an in-depth knowledge of exam delivery.
  • Ability to evidence strong leadership skills.
  • Previous experience in a senior examiner role and experience of teaching a project-based specification.
  • The ability to deliver to tight deadlines.

Further information and how to apply

This is a contractual role; you’ll be paid a fee for both your work and meeting attendance.

If you wish to apply, please complete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

Your application will automatically be considered for all four specifications; any preferences should be noted in the personal statement section of the application form.

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancies and receipt of applications is 26 March 2025.

AQA and Oxford University Press have joined forces to deliver globally relevant qualifications that reflect the latest in the UK’s standard. This venture offers international GCSEs, AS and A-levels to meet the needs of British curriculum schools internationally.

We are looking for a Lead Assessment Writer to create high quality assessment materials for the following papers for the OxfordAQA International AS/A-Level Geography (9635) specification (GG02 January series).

Lead Assessment Writers are responsible for creating question papers and mark schemes which reflect the requirements set out in the blueprint.

This is a great opportunity for education professionals with expert knowledge of Geography. The role can be worked alongside other professional commitments and is primarily home based. You will be expected to attend a number of meetings which will be remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role are:

  • setting quality exam papers that offer valid, fair, reliable and robust assessment and adhere to the specification and regulatory requirements
  • the development of clear and accurate mark schemes which support reliable marking.

What we are looking for

  1. experienced teachers with excellent knowledge of Geography
  2. a degree in this subject or related field
  3. knowledge/experience of writing assessments (within a school setting or other education-based environment) would be advantageous
  4. experience of marking for an exam board is desirable
  5. applicants for this role should be confident working independently with excellent communication skills
  6. an openness to receiving constructive feedback from colleagues in the team and incorporating that feedback appropriately to make amendments to questions
  7. be highly organised with the ability to consistently meet deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule
  8. be able to evidence excellent attention to detail.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply, please compete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is 06 March 2025.

Are you an experienced teacher or examiner with an in depth understanding of Modern Hebrew, who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold national standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’re looking for a Lead Assessment Writer and Lead Examiner to support the delivery of our A-level Modern Hebrew (Paper 3: Listening, Reading and Writing) specification. These roles are essential in delivering assessments that meet the needs of both students and teachers.

These roles can be worked flexibly and are designed to be carried out alongside full time teaching commitments.

Lead Assessment Writer

What you’ll do

You’ll play a key role in the question paper production process by creating high quality question papers and mark schemes which reflect the requirements set out in a brief. You will attend a Planning, and Content Review meeting.

The majority of the workload will fall between February and July

What we are looking for

  • Fluent in Modern Hebrew.
  • Current or recent teaching experience (within the last 2 years), with excellent knowledge of the subject.
  • Consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Open to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback.
  • Good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Lead Examiner

What you’ll do

You’ll play a key role in exam delivery for this sole marked specification. You will work with the Chief Examiner and other Senior Associates to set the standard and update the mark scheme, reviewing evidence at the awarding committee and using this evidence to determine grade boundaries. You will also undertake a post-results review of marking and support AQA with further post results work if required.

The majority of the workload will fall between mid-June and late July.

What we are looking for

  • Fluent in Modern Hebrew.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of mark schemes and the examination process.
  • Pro-active working style and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Further information and how to apply

These are contractual roles; you’ll be paid a fee for both your work and meeting attendance.

If you wish to apply, please compete the relevant application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

If you wish to be considered for both roles, please make a note of this in the personal statement section of the application form.

Lead Assessment Writer – application form
Lead Examiner – application form

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancies and receipt of applications is 9.00am on Monday 24 March 2025.

We have a vacancy for a Scrutineer to work within our assessment production process for our A-level Law specification. Scrutineers are responsible for testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate for students.

The nature of this annually contracted role allows you to continue with your full-time professional commitments. We believe it is important for the post holder to have teaching experience so that they can accurately reflect the ‘student voice’.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role are:

  • testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate
  • review the content of an assessment by sitting the question paper under exam conditions
  • provide feedback to the assessment production team on any issues observed whilst sitting the question paper.

What we are looking for

  • current or recent teaching experience of A-level Law
  • candidates with excellent subject and specification knowledge
  • ability to empathise with students sitting exams and how they interpret assessments
  • awareness/knowledge of the marking process
  • excellent communication skills with an ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback
  • background of critiquing work and suggesting amendments constructively.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply for this role please complete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is 30 March 2025.

We’re looking for Item Assessors for our GCSE Sociology specification (papers 8192/1 and 8192/2). This is a great opportunity for education professionals with a genuine passion and expertise to join the UK’s largest awarding body.

In this role you would be responsible for reviewing, assessing and submitting a report of where revisions to a question paper or item should be made and where errors must be corrected. An item is the term we use for a question or task and the accompanying mark scheme. Item Assessors assess types of items and mark schemes to ensure compliance with quality standards.

The role can be undertaken alongside full time teaching commitments and is worked on a contractual basis. You will be paid a fee for any work completed and for any meetings that you attend. The majority of meetings will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Key deliverables

The key tasks involved in this role include:

  • reviewing and assessing a specified number of questions, items or tasks, and accompanying instructions for a specific exam unit
  • submitting a report, within an agreed time-scale, recommending where revisions should be made.

What we are looking for

Candidates for these roles will:

  • be education professionals with expertise and passion for teaching Sociology
  • have an in-depth knowledge of the subject, and will be familiar with the GCSE specification
  • have current or recent experience of teaching Sociology at GCSE or AS/A-level
  • understand what would make a good question paper for GCSE Sociology
  • have excellent communication and organisational skills
  • be consistently meeting deadlines and working within a collaborative environment.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply for this role please complete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is 30 March 2025.

We currently have a Lead Examiner vacancy within our A-level Dance (7237/W) specification.

As with all Senior vacancies, this is a great opportunity for an education professional with expert knowledge of the subject.

The successful applicant will be responsible for leading and supporting a team of examiners to accurately mark our exams, meeting tight deadlines.

This role can be undertaken alongside full time teaching commitments and is worked on a contractual basis. You will be paid a fee for any work completed and for any meetings that you attend. The majority of meetings will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:

  • leading meetings (online or face-to-face) to produce training materials and guidance to ensure consistent application of the mark scheme
  • producing training and guidance to convey the marking standard
  • monitoring examiners’ standards to ensure consistent and accurate application
  • taking any actions required to ensure that all marking is completed by the specified deadlines
  • reviewing evidence at the Awarding Committee and providing professional judgement based on this evidence to determine the grade boundaries
  • undertaking post-results review of marking and supporting AQA with further post-results work as required.

What we are looking for

  • excellent knowledge of the subject
  • current or recent experience of teaching AQA A-level Dance (previous 2 years)
  • previous experience in a senior examining role such as Team Leader or Assistant Lead Examiner
  • you must be highly organised
  • you enjoy getting the best out of people, and be able to motivate individuals to deliver to tight deadlines
  • an effective communicator with both written and oral communication skills
  • you will enjoy collaboration and stakeholder engagement
  • good IT skills, as much of the associated work is computer based, with an increasing use of online applications/e-technologies.

Training for the role will be provided, and further support will be given.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply please complete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date. For further enquiries please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is Tuesday 18 March 2025.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

We have vacancies for Scrutineers to work within our assessment production process for our AS and A-level History specifications. Scrutineers are responsible for testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate for students. Scrutineers are required for the following paper:

  • 7041/1A The Crusader states and Outremer, c1071–1149
  • 7042/1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
  • 7042/1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
  • 7042/1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796
  • 7042/2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715

The nature of this annually contracted role allows you to continue with your full-time professional commitments. We believe it is important for post holders to have teaching experience so that they can accurately reflect the ‘student voice’.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role are:

  • testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate
  • review the content of an assessment by sitting the question paper under exam conditions
  • provide feedback to the assessment production team on any issues observed whilst sitting the question paper.

What we are looking for

  • current or recent teaching experience of AS/A-level History
  • candidates with excellent subject and specification knowledge
  • ability to empathise with students sitting exams and how they interpret assessments
  • awareness/knowledge of the marking process
  • excellent communication skills with an ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback
  • background of critiquing work and suggesting amendments constructively.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply, please compete the application form below, for the paper you wish to be considered for, by the closing date.

If you would like to be considered for more than one of these vacancies, please note the additional vacancy you wish to be considered for in the personal statement section of the application form.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is 16 March 2025.

We have a vacancy for a Scrutineer to work within our assessment production process for our AS Biology specification. Scrutineers are responsible for testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate for students.

The nature of this annually contracted role allows you to continue with your full-time professional commitments. We believe it is important for the post holder to have teaching experience so that they can accurately reflect the ‘student voice’.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role are:

testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate

review the content of an assessment by sitting the question paper under exam conditions

provide feedback to the assessment production team on any issues observed whilst sitting the question paper.

What we are looking for

current or recent teaching experience of AS/A-level Biology

candidates with excellent subject and specification knowledge

ability to empathise with students sitting exams and how they interpret assessments

awareness/knowledge of the marking process

excellent communication skills with an ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback

background of critiquing work and suggesting amendments constructively.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply for this role please complete the application formensuring you do so by the closing date.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is 17 March 2025.

Training and support

Alongside the support AQA and our associate community will give you, you'll also get detailed training on our core systems and processes. These include:

  • Assessment writing and reviewing
  • Online marking and monitoring
  • Digital assessment creation
  • Awarding and statistical analysis

Paper production

For some specifications, whole papers are planned, drafted, agreed and managed from beginning to end.

Exam delivery

Our exams and non-exam assessments (NEA) are marked by 30,000 examiners and moderators. Progress and quality is monitored by groups of associates, starting with standardisation and regular checking of marking through to awarding – where grade boundaries are set and applied to each student’s mark.

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Our safeguarding commitment

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

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Email: onboarding@aqa.org.uk

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