Courses and Qualifications Regulated vs Accredited
In the UK there are four regulators – Ofqual (England), Qualifications Wales (Wales), CCEA (Northern Ireland) and SQA (Scotland).
A Regulatory Body is appointed by the Government to establish national standards for qualifications and to ensure consistent compliance with them. Qualifications regulated by these regulators are recognised worldwide.
Regulated
Regulated qualifications must be written in accordance with UK statutory legislation, comply with regulatory body conditions of recognition and be delivered to a high standard, this is moderated, and quality controlled by a regulatory body. Regulated qualifications may be accepted for government funding such as the Advanced learning loan.
Accredited
Accredited courses are approved by a professional body such as CPD or an Awarding organisation. Accredited courses count towards professional qualifications or registration with a professional body, which can benefit you in your career and, in some cases, be a legal requirement of the profession.
Although the course may be recognised by a professional body the course is not regulated by a regulatory body such as Ofqual.
Non-accredited / unregulated
In contrast, non-accredited, unregulated courses are not regulated by an external third party or regulatory body. The qualification or certificate may not be accepted worldwide and in some cases by a UK employer. This does not mean that the course is of a sub-standard or lacks the information needed to achieve the learning outcome.
These courses do not appear on the regulatory framework.
To find out if your course or qualification is regulated you can search the qualification name on the Ofqual register
To find out more about iPET Network regulated qualifications here