Quality and Standards

IBCM is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic and vocational training, In addition to having its own internal quality framework it is also subject to external assurance frameworks to monitor and regulate the programmes it offers.

Office for Students Registration

As an English higher education institution the college is regulated and registered with the Office for Students (OfS), meeting the initial conditions of registration in order to do so. The college is also required to meet the OfS ongoing conditions of registration. The initial and ongoing conditions include a specific requirement related to Quality, reliable standards and positive outcomes for students. IBCM successfully achieved registration as an approved higher education provider in February 2023. Find the OfS website by clicking here.

Awarding Body Centre and Programme Approval

IBCM is also subject to the quality and standard requirements of the awarding bodies for the programmes it offers, and the college has centre and programme approval from Pearson, SQA, ILM and NCC. Awarding bodies use quality assurance processes to check that all centres are working to UK standards including use of standardisation, internal verification, and external examiners.

Qualification Recognition and Accreditation

Pearson, ILM and NCC programmes delivered by IBCM are qualifications recognised through the RQF framework. The RQF qualifications are regulated by OFQUAL (The Office of Qualification and Examinations Regulation) in England. SQA programmes delivered by IBCM are recognised SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) qualifications.

Pearson

Pearson is a world-leading qualification provider. IBCM is authorised to offer Higher National Diplomas awarded by Pearson, in Business, Hospitality Management, Electrical Engineering and mechanical Engineering. These Diplomas allow entry onto an BA Degree or to the relevant BA(Hons) Top up Degree at many leading universities.

SQA

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is the executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government responsible for accrediting educational awards. devises and develops qualifications, validates qualifications, reviews qualifications to ensure they are up to date and arranges for the assessment of people taking SQA qualifications.

ILM

The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) is an awarding body for leadership and management qualifications in the UK. ILM is a world renowned professional membership body representing over 25,000 managers and leaders throughout their careers.

NCC

NCC Education is an awarding organisation and global provider of British education. NCC offers qualifications in Business, English Language, and University Foundation level qualifications. In 1997, NCC was incorporated as an awarding organisation of British qualifications and qualifications are recognised by universities, professional bodies and employers worldwide.

IBCM quality framework

The college has an Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance Strategy (link) and Learning and Teaching Strategy (link) to support the commitment to quality and standards, and to ensure internal and external frameworks are followed and consistently applied alongside other policies and procedures. The Internal Quality Assurance Strategy sets out: