To help you feel confident about the quality and experience of a prospective
training provider or institute, accreditation bodies have been established.
These bodies [National Awarding Bodies] assess the provider in a range of
areas to determine their ability to, and their effectiveness in, the delivery of
quality education. Only when strict criteria are met will providers be
accredited by the NAB's.

So when researching your distance learning options, always find out whether
the provider or institution is accredited, and also by whom. Accreditation
by a recognised body means you can have confidence in the quality of both
learning experience and a recognised and credible registered qualification.

Most countries will have accreditation performed by government agencies, but
in the US and other countries there are major bodies which are either
volunteer (private agencies) or association based, which also accredit programs.
Buyer Beware.

Many providers claim accreditation. Some even claim a College or Institute
status. In the UK, Awarding Bodies are Government recognised and regulated
through the QCA {Qualifications and Curriculum Authority].
Always check to ensure proper accreditation status for both the programme
and the provider.

Michael Boase