About Us

National Open College Network (NOCN) is the leading credit-based Awarding Body in the UK, offering high quality, flexible, credit-based qualifications and is accredited by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

OCNs have consistently celebrated diversity – of learners, learning programmes and member organisations. The stepping stones motif of the NOCN strapline – The Diversity of Learning – reflects OCNs’ long standing commitment with progression.

There are more than 2500 centres nationally offering NOCN qualifications and/or OCN accredited provision. We currently have almost 100 qualifications on both the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). They are made up of more than 1,000 units from a wide range of subjects, including health and social care, crafts, creative arts and design, foundations for learning and life and preparation for work. We offer different types of qualifications in vocationally related subjects, skills for life and at entry level.

NOCN qualifications and OCN accredited provision, are delivered through further education and sixth form colleges, universities and higher education institutions, trade unions, TUC education, employers, local education authorities and training organisations, adult and community education centres, and voluntary and community organisations. There are 11 OCNs, one in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and one in each of the 9 regions of England. All OCNs support the delivery of NOCN qualifications, through recognised centres.

NOCN employ over 30 staff at the office in Sheffield, with a further 300 staff employed by the OCN’s. We are a not for profit organisation and plough all of our resources back into the development of existing products and services and new qualifications.

We are proud to be a registered charity and will continue to promote our charitable objects through the Open College Network.

NOCN is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England, Company No. 3829217, Registered Charity No.1079785.