Quality Mark

The Quality Mark sets ODL QC-Accredited Providers apart as an educational elite.

Learners can use it to identify good quality provision.

Providers can use it to signal their achievement of, and commitment to quality.

Non-accredited providers cannot.

They may try to reassure learners by indicating links with other organisations.

But such links only demonstrate excellence if they are underpinned with rigorous scrutiny by a reputable, national body.

That is what the ODL QC Quality Mark guarantees.

Publicity is key to the work of the Council:

• to stress the importance of quality in open and distance learning, and the safeguards offered by accreditation;
• to help learners understand what distance learning involves, and point them towards courses with good quality providers.

Providers are encouraged to use the quality mark wherever appropriate:   in web pages, prospectuses, brochures, advertisements and other publicity material, and stationery.

The more widely known and understood a quality-recognition scheme is, the more learners understand the assurance offered by accreditation, and feel confident in choosing open or distance learning.