We attach a lot of different words to the ends of courses.    We talk about the "aim", "purpose" or "objective" of a course;   we also talk about the "outcome" at the end.

We talk about "completion" of a course, even though it means different things to different people.    For some, you cannot complete a course unless you work through to the end.    To others, completion may simply be a agreement between learner and provider to stop;   this is the sense of the work preferred by OLD QC.

Aims and purposes are often rather vague.    The aim of a course conveys in general terms what it is about, and the general direction it will take.    It may indicate how far you can travel, it may not.    For example: "The aim of this course is to introduce you to geology", or "The aim is to improve your keyboard skills"

Objectives are more closely related to outcomes.

When you stop taking a course, whether you complete it or not, you will end up with an outcome.    The objective of the course is the outcome you are hoping for at the start;   the outcome that you and the provider intend to achieve;   the one that the provider promises you can achieve.    But then, what it says in a prospectus reflects hopes and intentions, not promises, and certainly not guarantees.

Objectives are more specific than aims.    For example, the objective may be "to enable you to pass geology A-level", or "to be able to type at at least 30wpm".

The outcome from taking a course is simply whatever you end up with.

Outcomes can be specified in many ways.    As it says in the ODL QC Standards:   "Outcomes may be specified in terms of the development of specific abilities achieved, the preparation for internally- or externally-assessed qualifications, the provision of job-related training, the imparting of information, or personal growth."

All of these outcomes can, in some sense, be observed.    Many can be assessed, that is someone can demonstrate that the outcome has been achieved.    If the outcome specified is the ability to change a light bulb; then you can demonstrate you can change a light bulb.

But the reliability of those assessments varies ;  the assessment of personal growth, in particular, can be illusory.    The course may promise to make you a better person;  you may feel a better person at the end of it.    But you might have a hard job proving it.

And any or all may be acknowledged by an award:  a certificate or qualification.