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About NOCN

The National Open College Network (NOCN) is a leading UK awarding organisation, offering high quality, flexible, credit-based qualifications and is accredited by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

2012 marks the 25th Anniversary of NOCN and the 30th year of OCNs. OCNs were established to recognise learners’ achievement that might not otherwise be recognised and have become leading Awarding Organisations for accrediting alternative curriculum, Foundation Learning and developing a wide range of QCF qualifications.  The OCN network works in partnership and through licensing arrangements in each of the English regions and in Northern Ireland. The network also works in partnership with Agored Cymru for the delivery of NOCN qualifications in Wales.

There are now over 2500 centres nationally offering NOCN qualifications and/or OCN accredited provision. There are currently over 250 NOCN qualifications on both the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). These qualifications are suitable for learners at all levels of achievement from Basic and Life Skills up to entry into Higher Education and beyond. OCNs have always supported accreditation and progression for learners from all walks of life, especially those who are disadvantaged or returning to learning. We were the first Awarding Organisation to offer unitised qualifications, which allows for manageable bite-sized learning, progression, and the building up of credits and achievements for the individual learner.

NOCN qualifications and OCN accredited provision, are delivered through further education and sixth form colleges, universities and higher education institutions, trade unions, TUC education, employers, local education authorities and training organisations, adult and community education centres, and voluntary and community organisations.

NOCN employs over 30 staff at the office in Sheffield, with a further 300 staff employed by the OCNs. We are a not for profit organisation and plough all of our resources back into the development of existing products and services and new qualifications.

NOCN is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England, Company No. 3829217, Registered Charity No.1079785.