I am aware that a small number of courses appear in the CAO/CAS Handbook which colleges intend to offer but which have not received full validation or approval prior to publication. The reason for this is that the colleges are not always in a position to obtain final validation and approval of the planned courses in advance of the publishers deadline which is fifteen months before the commencement date of the courses. My Department is in regular consultation with the colleges and the NCEA with a view to the ongoing improvement of this process.