Qualifications

Institute of Certified Bookkeepers

I.C.B qualifications are accredited in England by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority ( QCA ) and the regulatory authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland. These qualifications are internationally recognised and are fully accredited. The biggest bookkeeping institute in the world boasts Prince Michael of Kent as its patron and has in excess of 250,000 qualified members across the world. They are the only bookkeeping institute who issue practising certificates to their qualified members allowing those who wish to become independent bookkeepers gain vital liability insurance. All students registered for an ICB course will be registered with the UK Open College who are fully accredited to provide such qualifications.

ICB Level 1: The first certificate issued at entry level

ICB Level 2: The second of the certificates issued at intermediate level

ICB Level 3: Final Diploma issued at advanced level.

For those students looking to work on a self-employed basis you are required to complete at least level 2. This will give you the opportunity of producing financial records for sole traders (one man bands). You can legally use the letters A.I.C.B after your name upon successful completion of this level confirming your association with the I.C.B.

To offer your services to Limited companies and Partnerships you will need to qualify to Diploma Level 3. You can legally use the letters M.I.C.B after your name upon successful completion of this level confirming full membership of the I.C.B.

Sage Certification

These qualifications are issued to students completing online Sage examination. This is the only way to become officially Sage certified. A fully recognised qualification which is issued by Sage themselves. Perfect for advertised Sage vacancies. Please note sage qualification does not qualify you as a bookkeeper. You are strongly recommended to study manual bookkeeping with the ICB before undertaking Sage training.

Sage Payroll Certification

These qualifications are issued to students completing online Sage examination. This is the only way to become officially Sage certified. A fully recognised qualification, which is issued by Sage themselves. Perfect for advertised sage vacancies . 

NCFE Qualifications Explained:

The UK Open College is proud to be able to provide NCFE accredited awards for many of our distance learning courses, in conjunction with Stonebridge Associated Colleges, a fully licensed NCFE centre. NCFE awards are well known and widely accepted by employers and education providers. This is why The UK Open College supply such an award. All NCFE course materials and tuition are supplied in conjumction with Stonebridge Associated Colleges. All students studying for NCFE qualifications will be registered with them for the duration of their course

NCFE

A leading awarding body providing accredited awards and qualifications as follows: 

NCFE  Qualifications – qualifications listed on the UK national Qualifications Framework

NCFE National Awards - programmes designed, quality-assured and certificated by NCFE with learning outcomes accredited by NCFE at a level equivalent to the UK national levels described below 

NCFE  Awards: designed and delivered by NCFE licensed centres and accredited & certificated by NCFE. Learning outcomes are accredited by NCFE at a level equivalent to the UK national levels described below. Students who complete an NCFE award will receive a nationally recognised certificate.

Levels of Qualifications and Awards

All of the awards and qualifications for which Stonebridge Associated Colleges is a licensed centre are accredited according to the levels defined by The National Qualifications Framework which is the educational framework endorsed by the three UK regulatory authorities (QCA, ACCAC & CCEA) and it defines levels of learning in terms of both academic and vocational qualifications. The NQF defines levels of learning in terms of both academic and vocational qualifications.

Level 1 Award - NCFE ( Entry Level Certification )

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.

Level 2 Award - NCFE  ( Intermediate Certification: GCSE/NVQ 2 standard )

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.

Level 3 Award - NCFE  ( Diploma Certification: A level/NVQ 3 standard ) 

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.

Level 4 Award - NCFE ( Advanced Diploma Certification: NVQ 4 Standard )

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work

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.

Level 3 Award - ASCENTIS  ( Diploma Certification: A level/NVQ 3 standard ) 

Level 5 Award - ASCENTIS ( Higher Diploma Certification; Bachelor Degree Standard )

Qualifications and awards recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.

• Certificates are issued to students completing at Levels one and two.
• Diplomas are issued to students completing at Level three.

We do appreciate that the range of qualifications available can be confusing. If you are in any doubt please call FREE on 0800 0131030 or email studentsupport@ukopencollege.co.uk before you enrol.