Recognitions & Memberships

Many formal types of accreditation can add significant costs and bureaucracy to the  cost of a course, without providing any significant benefit to graduates either in the form of  job prospects, knowledge and skills. Excessive  accreditation does not benefit anyone. It is a cost which is then usually passed onto the student.  We don't think this is fair and in the majority of cases adds no value to the learning experience.

At ADL, our mission has always been to provide the best courses, at a fair and affordable price.  Therefore, we have chosen to focus on providing high quality courses compatible with industry that are affordable, relevant and global in outlook.  In our experience, this results in a higher level of satisfaction and performance from our students, than if we were to concentrate more on accreditation from specific institutions.

However, if you want or need to obtain a specific form of recognition, from a particular institution or government body, then you will need to seek an appropriately accredited college.  We are affiliated to several institutions which offer certain accreditations: if you need more formal accreditation than we provide, just ask us to recommend an affiliated college: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Given that there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of accreditation bodies around the world, accreditaton and recognition appears to be a very complex issue - no one course/programme is ever going to be accredited or recognised everywhere. Your main concern should be that you choose the education that is going to be meaningful and able to meet your needs and help you achieve the goals that you have set yourself:

• ADL courses are quality programmes and highly credible
• To assess our credibility please look at the  quality of our tutors and administration , the student testimonials and the quality and depth of our courses
• We also have a selection of formal accreditations (some indicated below)

Want to study first-rate courses and become more successful in your chosen career? ADL could be your ideal distance learning college.

Formal Recognition

ADL is part of the ACS Global Network of colleges who have been offering educational courses since 1979.  The quality of these courses command respect in academic circles within a range of disciplines in the UK, Australia and beyond. Many of our staff include world renowned academics from several countries, and it maintains active partnerships with respected institutions in several countries including Ireland, Australia and Singapore. Many of these affiliates are formally recognised by government education authorities in their respective countries.

International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC)

ADL is recognised by the International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC). Most ADL courses (Certificate and higher) are accredited by IARC. 

What does IARC Recognition & Accreditation Mean?

IARC is an international industry body with no affiliation to  any government. Recognition is a form of endorsement for the overall operation of the  institution, which derives  credibility  from the support  received from all the member institutions. You can see the institutions involved, and  confirm our standing by looking at the  IARC Members section on  the web: http://www.iarcedu.com/members.aspx

A course is IARC accredited when it is being delivered by an IARC recognised institution (i.e. Any from this list of members) and it also satisfies criteria for accreditation as found on the  webstie:
http://www.iarcedu.com/about/iarc-standards.aspx

The key criteria are: Duration of the course is comparable with course standards for that  type of  course in well established  universities and college internationally, and in the industry the course operates.  As a general guide the following minimum standards apply:

• Accredited Certificates involve 400 hours  or more of study
• Accredited Advanced Diplomas  involve 800 hours or more of study 
• Accredited Diplomas  involve  600 hours or more of  study
• Accredited Associate degrees involve 2 years  of full time study
• Accredited Bachelors Degrees involve 3 years of full time study

IARC Recognition is not the same as government recognition. It follows a different set of criteria, established to reflect what is  considered credible across the world, rather than just  within one country.  As such, some government accreditation  programs may simply  not satisfy IARC standards, and some IARC accredited programs might not always satisfy individual government accreditation requirements.

The two major  benefits of IARC Recognition & Accreditation are:

1. You can be confident  that the course you are studying is credible, not only in terms of its content, but also the way it is delivered and the the way  you will be assessed.
2. Awareness and respect for your studies will extend beyond the limits of your  own state or country; and through international member institutions, you will have a network of aware contacts in education institutions across a number of continents.

Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

ICB Accredited Training Centre with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

ICB is the largest bookkeeping Institue in the world. It's objectives are to promote and maintain the standards of bookkeeping as a profession, through the establishment of a series of relevant qualifications and the award of grades of memberships that recognise academic attainment, working experience and competence.

ICB qualifications are accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculm Authority (QCA) and the regulatory authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Royal Horticutural Society (RHS)

ADL conducts RHS qualifications, including Certificate II to M.Hort. qualifications, which are awarded by the RHS after passing RHS conducted examinations. These awards include ones accredited through the Qualifications Curriculum Authority.

ACS Global Partners Network

AGPMember of ACS Global Partners Network – committed to Ethical Education

CMA - Complimentary Medical Association

The Complementary Medical Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the very highest standards of complementary medicine and natural healthcare.  Complementary Medical Association Members are recognised as leaders in the field.

The CMA's primary aim is to promote ethical, responsible, professional complementary medicine to the public and the medical profession.

CMA believes that by promoting the CMA and it's members through the media they are able to help the public and doctors to realise that complementary medicine (CM) is - when delivered safely and ethically - a viable and highly desirable form of treatment.

In addition, the CMA, is totally dedicated to representing "the professional face of complementary medicine" and by promoting research, education and knowledge in the field,  will help to stimulate demand for the medicine of the 21st century and beyond leaders in the field