Recognised qualifications.
Explained clearly.
Who awards your diploma, who regulates the award, and how you can verify both for yourself — before you commit to anything.
Who is OTHM?
OTHM is a UK-based awarding organisation. It designs qualifications — including the diplomas from Level 3 to Level 7 described on this site — and approves centres around the world to deliver them. When you complete an OTHM programme, your certificate is issued by OTHM itself, and it is identical to those issued to learners at any other OTHM centre worldwide.
Official website: othm.org.uk
Who regulates OTHM? Meet Ofqual
Ofqual — the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation — is the independent regulator of qualifications and examinations in England. OTHM is recognised by Ofqual, which means its qualifications must meet strict standards for design, delivery, assessment and certification. Recognition by Ofqual is what makes an OTHM diploma a regulated qualification rather than just a certificate of attendance.
What is the RQF?
The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) organises regulated qualifications into 9 levels, so employers and universities can compare them at a glance. Every OTHM diploma on this site sits on the RQF at the level in its title:
| OTHM qualification | RQF level | Roughly equivalent to |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Diploma in Business Studies | 3 | GCE AS / A Levels |
| Level 4 Diplomas | 4 | Higher National Certificate (HNC) / first year of a UK bachelor's |
| Level 5 Diplomas | 5 | Higher National Diploma (HND) / second year of a UK bachelor's |
| Level 6 Diploma in Business Management | 6 | Bachelor's degree with honours (final year) |
| Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership | 7 | Master's degree level |
How to verify a qualification yourself
Don't take our word for it — check the public registers:
What “candidate centre” means
ACLAS Global International Education Group is currently preparing its application to become an OTHM approved delivery centre. In practice this means:
- Our programmes, assessment policies and quality-assurance systems are being built to OTHM's requirements now — you can read them all in our policy hub.
- The programmes described on this site are prospective and subject to OTHM approval.
- No OTHM qualification can be delivered, and no enrolment can be taken, until formal approval is granted.
- We will announce approval here and contact everyone who has registered interest.
If you want to be notified when enrolment opens, send us an enquiry — there is no obligation.
Recognition questions, answered
Is OTHM a recognised awarding organisation?
Yes. OTHM is recognised and regulated by Ofqual in England, and its qualifications sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
How can I verify an OTHM qualification?
Search the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications at register.ofqual.gov.uk for the qualification title. You can also confirm a centre's status on OTHM's own website.
What does candidate-centre status mean for me?
We are preparing our OTHM centre application. Programmes are prospective until approval is granted — nothing is delivered or charged before then.
Will my certificate be issued by OTHM?
Yes. Once approved, certificates are issued by OTHM and are identical to those issued at any other OTHM centre worldwide.
Want to be notified when enrolment opens?
Leave your details and we'll contact you as soon as our OTHM centre approval is confirmed.
Register Interest