The European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN)
EDEN is the largest, active and developing professional community of experts and practitioners of electronic and distance education in Europe. Established in 1991, its mission is to remain the most comprehensive European association of its kind, providing a platform for professional co-operation and information exchange in the area of distance learning. Based in the UK with a secretariat in Budapest since 1997, EDEN is open to all levels and sectors of education and training institutions, individuals and networks. EDEN has members in over 47 countries and represents 335 institutions and over 700 members in the Network of Academics and Professionals. EDEN assists a wide range of European institutions in becoming involved in professional co-operation. The EDEN network is dedicated towards achieving coherent educational standards across Europe and the world.

BTEC / EDEXCEL INTERNATIONAL
Limperts Academy of Design have formed an alliance with Edexcel International who are one of the largest and most respected validating bodies in the world, with centres in over 100 countries and representatives on every continent. Limperts Academy of Design is an approved BTEC centre and our Higher National Diploma (HND) programs are validated by Edexcel International. The BTEC HND is one of the most sought after qualifications and it is recognised and respected by employers and higher education institutions around the world. This award is valued at 240 Credits under the UK qualifications system (60 US semester credits) and students who have successfully completed HND programs have been accepted onto the final year of degree programs in the UK, USA and Australia.

History of Edexcel
Edexcel was the first of the three unitary awarding bodies to be established to offer both academic and vocational qualifications, following the Stafford Review of exam standards in 1995. Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), the country’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, and the University of London Examinations & Assessment Council (ULEAC), one of the major exam boards for GCSEs and A levels.

The history of these separate bodies can be traced back as far as 1836 when a royal charter gave the University of London limited functions of conducting exams and conferring degrees. The 1902 Education Act introduced reforms that broadened secondary school education, bringing with it a need to rationalise school leaving certificates. The University introduced School Examinations in 1905, which became the General School Examination in 1911, and by 1918 was more commonly known as a School Certificate. By 1930, a new body had been set up, the Matriculation & School Examinations Council, which had the power to set matriculation requirements. In 1951, the General Certificate of Education (GCE), normally taken at Ordinary (O) level at 16 and Advanced (A) level at 18, was introduced. The University Entrance & School Examinations Council took over the responsibilities of the Matriculation & School Examinations Council that was abolished at this time. In September 1984, it was replaced by the University of London School Examinations Board (ULSEB). On 1 September 1991, ULEAC was set up.

Throughout this period, vocational qualifications were developing. In 1973, the Technician Education Council (TEC) was established by the then Secretary for Education & Science, Margaret Thatcher. TEC’s remit was to establish a unified system for technical education and it eventually took over the validation of courses in further and higher education. These courses led to Ordinary National Diplomas (ONDs) and Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNC/Ds) and were previously the responsibility of various professional bodies including the City & Guilds of London Institute. One key principle adopted by TEC, to mitigate the complex situation it had inherited, was that curriculum and assessment had to follow the requirements of employment.

In 1974, the Business Education Council was established. Their remit was to rationalise and improve the relevance to work standards of sub-degree vocational education in FE and HE colleges and in Polytechnics. Within 18 months, BEC had taken over the responsibility for ONCs, ONDs, HNCs, HNDs, and other qualifications of this nature administered by various joint committees. In 1978, it introduced BEC Nationals and Higher Nationals as replacements. BEC provided similar courses to TEC, but catered for 60% less students than TEC; its range of studies was limited and its emphasis was business-related, aiming to prepare the learner for the world of work. TEC and BEC merged in 1983, to form the Business & Technology Education Council ( BTEC). BTEC and London Exams merged in 1996 to form Edexcel.