Ascentis
Encyclopedia
Ascentis is a national qualification-awarding body based in Lancaster in the North West of England. It was formerly called the Open College of the North West, or OCNW.
Formed in 1975 as a partnership between Lancaster University
and Nelson and Colne College, the Open College of the North West was developed to accredit courses of learning aimed at adult returners to education with the aim of helping them progress to university education
. The success of these early programmes quickly led to other colleges and universities becoming involved and the idea being replicated across the country by other regional 'Open Colleges'. These early courses have now developed in to the QAA
-approved Access to HE Diploma, which most universities accept as an alternative to GCSEs and A Levels for adult applicants.
With the introduction of the Learning and Skills Act of 2000 funding for adult education
changed, and some of OCNW's qualifications became ineligible for continued public funding. All awarding bodies requesting access to public funds were required to gain approval from the QCA
: OCNW obtained this approval in 2001, but, unusually, retained its status as a QAA Access Validating Agency as well. A full list of Ascentis's QCA approved qualifications can be found on the official list of approved qualifications, i.e. the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ).
OCNW was the only 'Open College' to become a National Awarding Body; the other regional Open Colleges formed and joined the National Open College Network (NOCN). OCNW has always remained outside NOCN and has no official relationship with it.
Ascentis awards two main types of qualification at a range of levels:
Ascentis is now accrediting learners in a number of countries around the world including Cyprus
, Greece
, Bulgaria
, Turkey
, Taiwan, China
, Spain
and Argentina
. Most of these overseas students are studying for ESOL International qualifications which are offered in conjunction with Anglia Examination Syndicate Limited and are often used to gain entry to university in the United Kingdom.
On 1 August 2009 OCNW changed its name to Ascentis to reflect the fact that it was now a national and international awarding body and in order to reduce confusion with NOCN members.
Formed in 1975 as a partnership between Lancaster University
Lancaster University
Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...
and Nelson and Colne College, the Open College of the North West was developed to accredit courses of learning aimed at adult returners to education with the aim of helping them progress to university education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. The success of these early programmes quickly led to other colleges and universities becoming involved and the idea being replicated across the country by other regional 'Open Colleges'. These early courses have now developed in to the QAA
Qaa
Qaa is a town in Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon.It has a mainly Greek Catholic population....
-approved Access to HE Diploma, which most universities accept as an alternative to GCSEs and A Levels for adult applicants.
With the introduction of the Learning and Skills Act of 2000 funding for adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
changed, and some of OCNW's qualifications became ineligible for continued public funding. All awarding bodies requesting access to public funds were required to gain approval from the QCA
QCA
QCA may refer to:* Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families in the United Kingdom...
: OCNW obtained this approval in 2001, but, unusually, retained its status as a QAA Access Validating Agency as well. A full list of Ascentis's QCA approved qualifications can be found on the official list of approved qualifications, i.e. the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ).
OCNW was the only 'Open College' to become a National Awarding Body; the other regional Open Colleges formed and joined the National Open College Network (NOCN). OCNW has always remained outside NOCN and has no official relationship with it.
Ascentis awards two main types of qualification at a range of levels:
- QCA Approved Qualifications (including areas such as Teacher TrainingTeacher educationTeacher education refers to the policies and procedures designed to equip prospective teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school and wider community....
, Skills for Life, Functional Skills, Vocational qualifications, Foundation Learning tier, ESOL including ESOL International, etc.). - QAA Access to Higher Education, along eight pathways (including Education Professions, Vocational Science, Health and Social CareHealth and Social CareIn the UK, Health and Social Care is a broad term that relates to integrated services that are available from health and social care providers...
Professions, etc.).
Ascentis is now accrediting learners in a number of countries around the world including Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Taiwan, China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Most of these overseas students are studying for ESOL International qualifications which are offered in conjunction with Anglia Examination Syndicate Limited and are often used to gain entry to university in the United Kingdom.
On 1 August 2009 OCNW changed its name to Ascentis to reflect the fact that it was now a national and international awarding body and in order to reduce confusion with NOCN members.