Anyone looking to study a course, be it via distance learning or studied in a classroom, wants to be assured of the quality of education they are going to receive. With the many levels of educational courses on offer, and the raft of awards and accreditations they hold, it can be hard to know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
If you have been browsing our extensive catalogue of distance learning courses, or you’ve been searching online for home study courses, then you’ve probably seen the NCFE acronym. Though, you’re probably wondering what it is and what that means for you.
What we can assure you of is that an NCFE awarded course is a good thing, but to help you further, we have detailed exactly what the NCFE is and why you should be confident in choosing NCFE qualifications.
What is NCFE?
NCFE is a national, educational awarding organisation that designs, develops, and certifies diverse, recognised qualifications and awards, including for distance learning courses. It’s a registered educational charity that has been dedicated to learning for over 150 years.
The NCFE is recognised as an awarding organisation by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Ofqual, the Welsh government, and the CCEA in Northern Ireland.
What Does NCFE Stand For?
NCFE originally stood for Northern Council for Further Education, but it dropped the full name in the 1990s, as it no longer accurately reflected the company’s growing national focus. Now the company is known simply as NCFE. It’s the UK’s longest established awarding body, as well as one of the UK’s fastest-growing. This means the NCFE is highly respected for its professionalism and quality.
Why Should You Care?
The NCFE’s role as an awarding body means that it spends time independently accrediting courses that are designed and delivered by third parties, including distance education providers. A home learning course with the NCFE stamp of approval means it is accredited, or checked off, by the NCFE as a quality distance learning course.
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is an NCFE registered learning centre. Our accreditation by the NCFE means that we have been inspected and approved by an independent and experienced educational organisation. It also means that we are audited for quality on a biannual basis by the awarding body and that we have been licensed by the NCFE on the basis of our own quality systems. NCFE’s stamp of approval is our guarantee of quality.
What Does This Mean for You?
Our NCFE-accredited courses are accredited to various levels, from Level 1 to Level 5, according to their degree of difficulty. You can be sure that the NCFE-accredited paper-based or online course you are studying, is of the highest quality.
Once you’ve successfully completed your accredited distance learning course, you’ll receive an NCFE certificate of achievement as an acknowledgement from this nationally recognised awarding body of your accomplishment.
Last year over a quarter of a million learners, from over 2,000 education and training organisations, chose the NCFE as the awarding body to help them advance their learning and career goals. Now it’s your turn.
What NCFE Courses Can I Study Online?
Would you like to be a Teaching Classroom Assistant? Our many NCFE-accredited courses include many education-focused options ranging from awards to Teaching Assistant certificates and diplomas aimed a providing you with qualifications for Teaching Assistant roles.
These include:
- NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)
- Teaching Assistant: Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)
- Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) NCFE CACHE Level 3 (RQF)
Should you be more interested in health, social care or counselling, you can study:
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Nutrition and Health (RQF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care RQF
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (RQF)
Alternatively, there are a host of NCFE accredited business courses you can take, including:
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Retail Knowledge (RQF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration (RQF)
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Management RQF
What is the Difference Between NVQ and NCFE?
National Vocational Qualifications, or NVQs, are competency-based awards that prove you are qualified to do a particular job. These qualifications are relevant in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications or SVQs.
NVQs are achieved through on-the-job assessment and training in either the workplace, or a setting designed to replicate the workplace. NVQs, like our NCFE courses, range in levels from 1 through to 5, depending on the field. So, you’re able to begin at the level best suited to you and work your way up. They are designed for continual assessment throughout your training. Assessment is based on evidence of your competency, though other methods may apply where appropriate.
NVQs are based on National Occupational Standards (NOS), which are standards of competencies, knowledge and understanding expected in a given occupation. These standards also identify expected outcomes of assessment. NOS are developed by the relevant sector skills council (SSC) or Government-recognised sector body for that given field.
NVQs are very different from NCFE. While NVQs are a vocational (work-based) qualification, NCFE, in itself, is not a qualification, but rather an awarding body. As mentioned above, if a home learning course has the NCFE stamp of approval, this means it is accredited, or checked off, by the NCFE as a quality distance learning course. The awarding organisation also provides certification to students who successfully complete NCFE accredited courses.
Enrol on an NCFE Course Today!
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is an NCFE registered learning centre, and this stamp of approval is our guarantee of quality.
If you’re wondering ‘how do I become a Teaching Assistant?’ our online TA courses accredited by the NCFE can help you get there! These and many other learning goals can be achieved through our high-quality distance learning courses.
If you’re ready to take the next step, you can learn now! Distance learning college courses make education accessible to all. If you’re ready to learn more about the NCFE course, and distance education, UK learners can contact our Course Executives for more information.
Call them now on 01202 392 8288, contact us online or click below to find out more!
NCFE courses are a great achievement and its great to see stonebridge doing these courses and a range of them for everyone. It means that alot more people will get higher qualifications which will help their career.
Great information. I have a question. I’m in [the Republic of] Ireland. What is NCFE equivalent to in here? Because in Ireland there are other qualifications like the FETAC”
I think NCFE awards are good to havem but don’t forget, these courses are NCFE ACCREDITED awards, not actual NCFE awards, They still look good on your CV though and show a committment to learning 🙂
I am doing a level 3 in sports Massage NCFE I’m just worried now because I live in Scotland that will not be able to practice once I finish my course!! Can you help?
Hi Kym, please could you provide your student ID number? Stonebridge
In greece this diploma is valid?
Hi Socrates, you would need to contact authorities and employers in Greece to find out if they would accept these qualifications. Stonebridge
Le diplôme de nutrition est il valable en Belgique ? A quoi correspond t’il ? Merci pour votre réponse ? Bien à vous
Hi Prince, you would need to contact authorities and employers in Belgium to find out if they would accept this qualification. Stonebridge
how long does the certificate last
The NCFE award would not have an expiry date.
I think NCFE is Waste of money i did course course here ncfe level 4 learning disabilty that was 5 years 5 ago but when i rang city of guild in wales said this is not recognised and contact stonebridge college asked to help me reference in university but didnt even bothered to help me. Still my career the same i thought ncfe level could help my career goal.
Please contact us directly on 0121 794 8301 regarding this – we can discuss with you how you are trying to use this and provide advice.
I have just been awarded NCFE cache level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, where does this leave if I were to apply to university to read Social Care.
Hello,
If you could provide us with a telephone number and an appropriate time, we can give you a call to discuss your options.
Stonebridge.
I recently pass level 2 maths and awarded with NCFE certificate. Is the level 2 certificate acceptable by universities entry? I ask because I was told by a friend that I cannot use it to gain admission into universities.
This will depend on the University and course you are applying to – please contact your University of choice directly, they will be able to assist you further
Dear madam. I did complete NCfe hospitality level3 but my country univercity they not Recognise this one . sac offered me abc leve3 but me took. NCfe people help me. Can I take. Abc one And. Able to give fees
Hi Amlanahmed,
I think our career advisers would be best to answer this for you – please give them a call on 0121 392 8288.
Many thanks,
Stonebridge Associated Colleges
How long does the qualifications last before you need to re do them
Hi Bev,
Qualifications with us don’t expire but you can choose to take another course whenever you want to take your learning further, learn new skills or refresh your knowledge!
All best,
Stonebridge
Hey hi,
Im from Sri Lanka And I’m planning to do Diploma in Event Management and awarding body is NCFE,UK they said NVQ level is 3 and is it recognised in world wide ?
Hi Theeshya,
The NCFE is certainly accepted in the UK, as for worldwide, this is something that you would have to ask the company that you wish to work for and they will be able to tell you if they will accept your qualification.
Thanks.