OUR COURSES:
ACCREDITED VS REGULATED
what's the difference?
When choosing a course, it’s important to understand the difference between accredited and regulated qualifications. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings — and knowing the difference can help you make an informed decision about your education and career path.
Accredited Course
An accredited course is a training program that has been officially recognised or endorsed by an awarding body or professional organisation. Accreditation means the course meets certain standards of quality, content, and delivery.
Key features of accredited courses:
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Reviewed and approved by an external awarding body such as CPD
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Usually consists of 1-2 Day Short Courses
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Leads to an accredited certificate
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Often used for professional development or career advancement
Example: A course accredited by the CPD Certification Service or a training program endorsed by a professional body like ABT.
REGULATED Course
A regulated course is a qualification that is officially registered and monitored by a national regulatory authority. In the UK, this might include Ofqual, SQA, Qualification Wales, or CCEA.
These regulators ensure the qualification meets national education standards.
Key features of regulated courses:
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Listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) or equivalent
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Quality-assured by a government-backed body
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Carries a specific qualification level (e.g., Level 3, Level 5)
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Often required for compliance or statutory roles
Example: A Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) regulated by Ofqual.
A QUICK COMPARISON
FEATURE | ACCREDITED COURSE | REGULATED COURSE |
|---|---|---|
QUALITY ASSURANCE | ENSURED BY ACCREDITING BODY | STRICTLY MONITORED BY REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
PURPOSE | SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, CPD, INDUSTRY SKILLS | COMPLIANCE, JOB ROLES, PROGRESSION ROUTES |
RECOGNITION | WIDELY RECOGNISED IN SPECIFIC SECTORS | NATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION |
QUALIFICATION LEVEL | MAY NOT CARRY A FORMAL LEVEL | CARRIES ON OFFICIAL RQF/SQA LEVEL |
APPROVAL | PROFESSIONAL OR INDUSTRY BODY | GOVERNMENT-REGULATED (EG. OFQUAL) |
A QUICK COMPARISON
FEATURE | ACCREDITED COURSE | REGULATED COURSE |
|---|---|---|
QUALITY ASSURANCE | ENSURED BY ACCREDITING BODY | STRICTLY MONITORED BY REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
PURPOSE | SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, CPD, INDUSTRY SKILLS | COMPLIANCE, JOB ROLES, PROGRESSION ROUTES |
RECOGNITION | WIDELY RECOGNISED IN SPECIFIC SECTORS | NATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION |
QUALIFICATION LEVEL | MAY NOT CARRY A FORMAL LEVEL | CARRIES ON OFFICIAL RQF/SQA LEVEL |
APPROVAL | PROFESSIONAL OR INDUSTRY BODY | GOVERNMENT-REGULATED (EG. OFQUAL) |
A QUICK COMPARISON
FEATURE | ACCREDITED COURSE | REGULATED COURSE |
|---|---|---|
QUALITY ASSURANCE | ENSURED BY ACCREDITING BODY | STRICTLY MONITORED BY REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
PURPOSE | SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, CPD, INDUSTRY SKILLS | COMPLIANCE, JOB ROLES, PROGRESSION ROUTES |
RECOGNITION | WIDELY RECOGNISED IN SPECIFIC SECTORS | NATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION |
QUALIFICATION LEVEL | MAY NOT CARRY A FORMAL LEVEL | CARRIES ON OFFICIAL RQF/SQA LEVEL |
APPROVAL | PROFESSIONAL OR INDUSTRY BODY | GOVERNMENT-REGULATED (EG. OFQUAL) |
WHICH COURSE TYPE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Accredited Course
Choose an accredited course if you're looking to build skills, boost your CV, or earn industry-recognised credentials for continuing professional development.
REGULATED Course
Choose a regulated course if you need a formal qualification for a job role, compliance, or progression into further education.
Which Is Better: Accredited or Regulated Courses?
Neither accredited nor regulated courses are inherently “better” - it all depends on your goals. Regulated courses are ideal if you need a nationally recognised qualification for a specific job role, career progression, or compliance with industry regulations. They carry more formal weight and are often essential in sectors like education, health, and social care. On the other hand, accredited courses offer more flexibility and are great for building practical skills, enhancing your CV, or fulfilling continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.
However when it comes down to starting out in the industry and wanting to progress with a recognised qualification, regulated courses would be your preferred choice. Especially with more legislation being introduced in the near future, you may NEED regulated framework (council & skill dependent). The levels we offer from L2-L7 are equivalent to college/university/masters qualifications, so hold a much higher value in comparison to accredited courses.
Regulated courses are recognised, legitimate qualifications that are incredibly in depth.
Accredited courses are short courses that are best for continuing professional development throughout your career to re-cap on previous/current training or experience.
Regulated courses are often considered better when you need a formally recognised qualification with clear credibility and career value. These courses are monitored by government-approved regulators (like Ofqual in the UK), which means they meet strict standards for quality, assessment, and delivery. This ensures consistency and trust — whether you're applying for a job, seeking promotion, or progressing into higher education.
Here’s why regulated courses stand out:
Official Recognition – Regulated qualifications are listed on national frameworks (e.g., RQF), making them widely accepted by employers and educational institutions.
Compliance & Legitimacy – In many industries, especially health, education, and security, regulated qualifications are required by law to perform certain roles.
Clear Level & Progression – Each regulated qualification has a defined level (e.g., Level 3 or Level 5), which helps you map out your learning journey and career path.
Transferable Value – Because of their standardisation, regulated qualifications are more likely to be recognised across different employers, sectors, or countries.
