The seven checks
| Check | What to look for | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Regulation | Awarding body + specification code on the course page (AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, TQUK, CMI) | "Accredited" with no named regulator |
| 2. Exams | Provider enters you and books the centre | No clear statement of who books the exam |
| 3. Tutor | A named tutor who marks your work | Videos only, support by ticket |
| 4. Total cost | Course + exam + certificate fees stated together | Exam fees not stated before you pay |
| 5. Refunds | Written money-back terms (Lift College: free 7-day trial, 14-day money-back on payments) | No cooling-off beyond the legal minimum |
| 6. Reviews | Independent reviews on Trustpilot or Google | Only testimonials on the provider's own site |
| 7. Recognition | Your target university/employer accepts the exact qualification | "Equivalent to" claims with no source |
Why exam arrangements matter most
For GCSEs and A Levels the exam is sat in person as a private candidate, and finding a centre is the hardest part of independent study. Providers differ sharply here: some hand you a list of centres, others handle entry end to end. Lift College books exam entry and a seat through Tutors and Exams centres in England as part of its exam-inclusive options. Whoever you choose, get the exam arrangement in writing before paying.
Monthly subscription or one-off fee?
One-off pricing suits a single short course. Monthly subscriptions suit longer qualifications because you can pause or stop; check what happens to your course access and exam entitlement if you cancel early. Lift College qualifications are paid monthly or annually, and its CPD short courses are one-off purchases. The right model depends on course length.
The quiet signals of a provider in trouble
Slow tutor responses, unmarked work, phone lines that stop being answered and refund delays are the recorded early signs when distance-learning providers fail. Check recent reviews, not the lifetime average, and favour pay-monthly models that limit your exposure over large upfront payments.
Frequently asked questions
What does Ofqual-regulated actually mean?
Are online colleges recognised by universities?
Is a cheap course a bad course?
How do I verify a provider's claims?
Sources
- Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications (register.ofqual.gov.uk)
- JCQ private candidate guidance (jcq.org.uk)