ASIC has been formed to bring independent information to the student population through its accreditation service with well defined and objective benchmarking.

Accreditation through ASIC will help the student and parent make a more informed choice and will also help a college/university demonstrate to the marketplace that they are a high quality institution.

Following widespread and increasing concern over the behaviour of some international independent and private colleges, the UK Government identified the need for a more rigorous system for accrediting education institutions involved in recruiting overseas students. Accordingly, a proposal for the mandatory accreditation of education providers, wishing to bring overseas students into the UK, was included in the Government's Command Paper "A Points Based System: Making Migration Work for Britain".

City of London College has been inspected and accredited by ASIC and has been awarded Premier College status as a result of its commendable grading across all areas of its operations.

ASIC has been approved by OfSTED on behalf of the UK Border Agency to accredit private colleges for the purpose of sponsorship under the Points Based System.

Through the University of London International Programmes, formerly the University of London External System established its External System in 1858, so that students from around the world, who could not attend a full time course at the University, could still study for one of its degrees. On successful completion of the University of London International Programme, a student is awarded a University of London Degree. It is the same degree that is awarded to a successful student studying in one of the University of London Colleges. The University Statute states that ‘Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination.’ The University of London International Progeammes is one of the most affordable ways of achieving a qualification with excellent reputation internationally and in the UK.

The City of London College offers udergraduate degrees and diplomas of the University of London International Programmes. The University of London International Programmes maintains very high standards by directly involving academic staff at the Colleges of the University not only in the development of syllabi, but in the preparation of study materials, the setting and marking of examination papers.

Founded by Royal Charter in 1893, the University of Wales is the degree-awarding body for the majority of higher education students in Wales, as well as for many at other higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and overseas. 

The University’s position enables it to focus not only on its primary functions as a degree-awarding body and provider of services to the Welsh higher education sector but also, as a national institution, on playing an enhanced role in protecting and promoting the economy, culture and language of Wales. 

Recently, the University has signed a memorandum of understanding with six of the university institutions in Wales, with whom it will be working closely on collaborative ventures, research groupings and other new initiatives.  These institutions are:

• Glyndwr University
• Swansea Metropolitan University
• University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC)
• University of Wales, Newport
• University of Wales, Lampeter          
• Trinity University College          

The latter two institutions are set to merge in 2010 to become University of Wales, Trinity St David.

The University is also maintains links with Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Cardiff University and Swansea University.

The University is also the degree-awarding authority for more than 120 other higher education institutions both within the United Kingdom and overseas, with which it also enjoys close links.  Annually, it awards around 15,000 initial degrees and more than 4,000 higher degrees, making it the second largest degree-awarding body in the United Kingdom.  The number of students, from all over the world, pursuing University of Wales degrees is around 70,000, and their studies cover a wide range of subjects.

The University is a major national institution in Wales.  While it is, of course, committed to helping to fulfil the educational and economic needs of Wales and to supporting its linguistic, cultural, and national heritage, the University is also committed to its international role and to enhancing its standing across the UK and overseas.  As well as its validation role and the international projects undertaken by its Global Academy, the University sponsors a number of cultural initiatives, such as the prestigious Dylan Thomas Prize, for young writers, which attracts entries from all over the world. 

Founded in 1878, City & Guilds was established following a meeting of 16 of the City of London’s livery companies and the Corporation of London, the traditional guardians of apprenticeships and work place training.  Its aim was to establish a national system of technical education. Since then City & Guilds offers learners over 500 qualifications in 28 industry areas – so that they can learn skills that equip them to fulfil their career ambitions or enrich their leisure time. 

City & Guilds is the leading provider of vocational qualifications in the United Kingdom. City & Guilds qualifications assess skills that are of practical value in the workplace. They are recognised for their quality and are valued by employers in every sector of business.

City of London College is a City & Guilds approved centre.  In addition to offering tests its courses, we provide GOLA testing facilities for third parties. Click here for more on City & Guilds third party testing centres.