Qualifications

We have complied an overview below to try and help explain the differences in the variety of qualifications and awards we currently offer. Hopefully this will make things a little clearer as to what kind of certification you will receive upon completion of your course. The majority of our course certificates are awarded by an external awarding body. However we also offer a small range of courses leading to college completion certificates which are ideal for those students studying for personal development.  For further information on qualifications please visit the following link to OFQUAL.

http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/popups/explaining-qualifications/

UCAS points

Please follow the link below for further information on UCAS points. If you require UCAS points the only courses we provide that carry them are A level courses. They have been proven as the most popular and recognised route to gaining UCAS points and university entry.

http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/

Learning Credits

Learning credits can be achieved only by studying courses listed on the QCF. If a course carries credits it will be clearly explained within the individual course details along with the qualification code. If you require credits and are unsure if your course of interest carries them please contact us prior to enrolling. 

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 in both Manual & Computerised Bookkeeping. 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 in both Manual & Computerised Bookkeeping. 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 professional 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. We have developed several partnerships with some of the largest distance learning providers in the UK. Students will be regisetered and tutored by one of our approved providers as below for the duration of their course.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges:
My Distance Learning College

UK Distance Learning & Publishing

Study House

NCFE (The Majority of our NCFE accredited courses lead to NCFE Awards as described below)

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 are accredited according to the levels defined by The QCF 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 QCF 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 )

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 ) 

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 )

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