NCC Home Learning: Awarding Bodies

Awarding bodies design and award qualifications which recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding achieved by a student at a particular level and in a particular subject.

The awarding bodies will check that the courses they accredit are being delivered to their quality standards. This means that you can be sure that when you obtain a qualification accredited by an awarding body you have reached a standard that is consistent throughout the world.

ABC

ABC Awards is one of the largest vocational awarding bodies in the United Kingdom with an established reputation for quality and customer service. ABC Awards was formally established in 1998 and was one of the first vocational awarding bodies to be approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) for inclusion in the National Qualifications Framework. ABC is a ‘generalist’ awarding body offering vocational qualifications from Entry Level to Level 4 across a wide range of sectors.
Tel: 0115 854 1616

Ascentis (previously OCNW)

Ascentis is a Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA)-approved national awarding body that designs user-friendly qualifications and supports these with the highest possible standard of customer service. Unusually, it is also a Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)-licensed Authorised Validating Agency for Access to Higher Education.

Ascentis was established in 1975 as a partnership scheme between universities and colleges of further education. It was the very first “Open College” and its initial aim was to provide innovative Access to Higher Education Qualifications for adult learners. Over the past thirty one years the membership has increased significantly and the portfolio of qualifications has expanded to include a wide range of curriculum areas.
Tel: 01524 845046

AQA - The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the Unitary Awarding Bodies in the UK. AQA offers a range of qualifications and services, including GCSE, GCE, GNVQ, VCE and Entry Level. AQA's primary purpose is to ensure that students’ attainments are supported by best assessment practice and that their grades are a reliable statement of their achievement.
Tel: 01483 506 506

Edexcel

Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), the country’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, and the University of London Examinations & Assessment Council (ULEAC), one of the major exam boards for GCSEs and A levels.

In the UK, Edexcel work with more than 5,000 secondary schools, 450 further education colleges, 70 higher education institutions and more than 700 employers and training providers. As the company responsible for marking the national Key Stage 2 and 3 tests, they are also now working with 20,000 junior schools. Internationally, Edexcel operate in 112 countries and every year more than four million people trust their respected learning programmes and qualifications.
Tel: 0844 576 0026

EDI

EDI is an accredited Awarding Body and leading international education company. Its services include accredited vocational and professional qualifications, online performance measures for schools and assessment solutions for awarding bodies and companies.

EDI was formed in December 2002 by the merger of GOAL plc with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB).  LCCI qualifications have been offered since 1887, and are respected around the world as passports to both employment and higher education. 

EDI works in collaboration with industry, governments, universities and professional bodies, around the world to ensure its qualifications and assessments are accredited, recognised and relevant.
Tel:+44 (0)8707 202 909

IAB - International Association of Book keepers

The IAB is the premier body that oversees professional training in qualifications for business. Established in 1973, the IAB now has 8,000 students and members worldwide. The IAB qualifications are accredited in England by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the regulatory authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland and are eligible for government funding in these countries." Whilst the IAB is based in the UK , its examinations are offered in over 80 countries around the world. The IAB examinations reflect the requirements of International Accounting Standards (IAS). Membership of the IAB means holding a truly internationally recognised qualification.
Tel: 01732 458 080

Institute of Certified Bookkeepers

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. It promotes and maintains the standards of bookkeeping as a profession, through the establishment of a series of relevant qualifications and the award of grades of membership that recognise academic attainment, working experience and competence. The Institute’s objectives are:

• To promote bookkeeping as a profession
• To enable bookkeeping to gain recognition as an integral part of the financial profession
• To promote training in the principles of bookkeeping
• To develop personal study skills and improve confidence of those persons who undertake a course in bookkeeping
• To enable the achievement of a qualification, which may be used to enhance prospects for progression into higher levels of study.
• To improve the career prospects of its members.
• Consultation with commerce and industry has confirmed and amplified the Institute’s assessment of the need for qualified bookkeepers. Employers both large and small are fully supportive of the objectives of The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

NCFE

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in England, the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland, and the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

NOCN

National Open College Network (NOCN) is the leading credit-based awarding body in the UK, offering high quality, flexible, credit-based qualifications. NOCN Originate from the Open College Network (OCN) movement first established in 1975 to formally recognise the achievements of adult learners. NOCN work with national and local organisations (industry, government, employers and education providers) to develop and widen access to high quality and flexible education, training and learning.

NOCN is an innovative and progressive national awarding body. NOCN are a recognised awarding body by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in England, the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland and the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACCAC) in Wales, since 2000.
Tel: 0114 2270500

OCN (North West Region)

OCNNWR is one of 11 Open College Networks covering the whole of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Open College Networks (OCNs) are licensed by the National Open College Network (NOCN) to award NOCN Qualifications and other locally developed courses of learning.

OCNNWR is an Access to Higher Education Validating Agency (AVA) authorised by Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to approve and certificate Access to Higher Education Programmes.

OCNNWR is a partnership of many different organisations offering education and training from all sectors across the North West Region, including: local authorities; schools; further education colleges; universities; employers; private training providers; community and voluntary groups.
Tel: 0151 494 4360

Additional Information

Accreditation of Distance Learning Programmes

Awarding Body Accreditation for various courses will be provided by NCC Resources. Once you are registered for your course, NCC Resources will ensure that you are registered with the appropriate awarding body and that your accreditation and certification is undertaken in accordance with awarding body regulations.