OCN does not run courses  themselves so does not have a full list of provision in the area.  It is advisable to start with your local college to see what they have on offer, or to contact careers advice 0800 100 900, or phone Learn Direct 0800 101 901 who can advise you on what is available.  Other sources of information would be your local library or local newspapers or do a search on the internet.

A unit is a set of learning outcomes with associated criteria.  A learner will be assessed against the criteria.  if they achieve all the criteria they will achieve the unit.  A unit is assigned a number of credits, which describes the amount of the learning, and a credit level which describes the level of the learning.

All Qualifications in the Qualifications and Credit Framework are made up of units.  A unit is a set of learning outcomes and criteria that a learner is assessed against.  when all the criteria have been met the learner is said to have achieved the unit.  if the learner acheives a set of units that make up a qualfication and have fulfilled any other requrements of the qualification they will achieve the full Qualification.

• The level of the learning you undertake is similar to the level of study needed for other courses and UK wide recognised qualifications
• OCN award credits at four different levels
• A credit is a way of measuring, recognising and valuing your learning
• The level, given on the certificate for each unit you have achieved shows the stage you have reached in your learning:
• Entry Level
  Qualifications and units at Entry Level provides a basis for progression to other qualifications
• Level One
  This is comparable to working at NVQ Level 1, GCSEs D-G and Foundation Diploma
• Level Two
  This is comparable to working at NVQ Level 2, GCSE’s A* to C and Higher Diploma
• Level Three
  This is comparable to working at NVQ Level 3, A and AS Levels, Advanced Diploma

Please note there is not straight forward equivalence to other qualifications but it does explain the level at which you have studied and achieved.

Credits are a way of measuring learning.  A credit is based on a nominal 10 hours of learning, this does not mean that you have to spend 10hours doing it, some people can do it in less and others it may take more. 

Your tutor will tell you more about how your learning is to be assessed. On most courses, the tutor or trainer assesses your work as you go along and this does not involve exams. For example, the course work you produce, such as computer printouts, paintings or projects, will show you and your tutor what you have learnt.

The centre where you are learning is responsible for registering you with the Open College Network (OCN). The centre notifies the OCN of your achievement and will then issue your certificate, which your centre will forward to you

You will need to contact the centre where you studied, and ask them to submit a Replacement Certificate Request form to the OCN. That form can be obtained from the OCN by the Centre if they do not have it.  You will need to provide evidence of identity in order to process this.

The first thing to do is talk to your tutors or student services if there is one within the college.  They may be able to help you with problems in your studies, or advise you how to find further help.   If you have a problem with the the tutor or training provider the centre will have a procedure you must follow to resolve it. 

The OCN does not normally get involved in problems between centres and learners.  If however the problem is related to the conduct of assessment and is not resolved then it may under certain circumstances be referred to the OCN but only once the centres internal processes have been exhausted.  please see our Complaints and Appeals Procedure