A. Each course includes a clear statement of what the learner can hope to achieve on successful completion of the course.

B. Outcomes are of such a nature as to be attainable through open and/or distance study, augmented as and when necessary by face-to-face provision.

Outcomes may be specified in terms of the development of specific skills, vocational or professional competences, the preparation for internally- or externally-assessed qualifications, the provision of job-related training, the imparting of information, or personal growth.

C. The objectives of distance learning courses are demonstrably compatible with the objectives of comparable courses delivered by other means.

D. Course objectives may vary from learner to learner but are, in all cases, clearly specified in the agreement between the provider and the learner.

E. Where possible, the course is structured to include points for partial completion.

F. Where time limits for course completion are imposed by the provider, reasons should be given.

G. Any assessments, including examinations, set by the provider during or on completion of a course are adequate to ensure a proper assessment of the learner’s ability and achievements to date.

Examinations should be properly marked or assessed, with procedures for ensuring security in their setting and assessment, monitoring the quality of those assessments, and providing appropriate feed back to the learner. Learners should be made aware of the procedure whereby assessments can be challenged.

H. Where appropriate, assessment is linked to accreditation by nationally-recognised qualification-awarding bodies.

Where such links are not established, the provider should not make undue or unsubstantiated claims as to the level of skill or knowledge gained through successful completion of the course.

I. Documentary evidence of learning achieved is available where appropriate to all learners on course completion.

J. Any certificate or diploma offered by the provider on completion of a course clearly indicates:

1. the nature of the achievement recognised (eg course completion, or assessed qualification);
2. the name, nature, academic, vocational or professional recognition and other appropriate details of the awarding body.

K. Any certificate of course completion provided to learners clearly indicates that it recognises only completion of the course, and does not imply any internally or externally validated qualification in that subject. The criteria by which “course completion” is assessed are made known to the learner prior to enrolment.

L. Where the outcome of a course is the declared competence to sit examinations offered, or be otherwise assessed, by another external organisation, the learner is informed of this and of the respective responsibilities of provider and applicant prior to enrolment.

Whilst the provider takes responsibility to ensure that the course fits the currently declared curriculum of the awarding body, with other matters it should be made clear which are the responsibilities of the provider and which the applicant: who should ascertain, for example:

1. the on-going availability of any external qualification;
2. the nature of any prior qualifications or other entrance requirements imposed by such an external organisation;
3. the currency of any qualification offered as outcome by an external organisation
4. how, where and when any external examinations or assessments can be taken;
5. what charges, if any, will be made.

M. The provider makes reasonable efforts to keep up-to-date with changes in the availability, entrance requirements or curricula of external examining or qualifying bodies and at no time misleads applicants or learners as to the provider’s knowledge of or responsibilities in such matters.