There are plenty of courses available to choose from each UK university. Some are accredited while others are not, and it can be difficult for you to choose between the two, especially if you’re not fully informed on what accreditation is, what it implies, and the pros and cons associated with it. Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a student, so it’s integral that you know your choices inside out before making a final decision.

1. WHY YOU
SHOULD CHOOSE
AN ACCREDITED
COURSE

2. Why you should choose an accredited course
There are plenty of courses available to choose from each UK university. Some are
accredited while others are not, and it can be difficult for you to choose between
the two, especially if you’re not fully informed on what accreditation is, what it
implies, and the pros and cons associated with it. Choosing a course is one of the
most important decisions you’ll make as a student, so it’s integral that you know
your choices inside out before making a final decision.
If you’re unsure about whether or not an accredited course is the right choice for
you, don’t worry. In this article, we’re going to cover what an accredited course is,
which organisations offer and accept accredit courses, and the advantages and
disadvantages associated with them. With the pros, cons, and details in mind, you
can make an informed decision about your future and your specific needs.
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3. “ WHAT IS AN ACCREDITED COURSE?
An accredited course is one that has been approved by a professional
organisation. This means that the course has been thoroughly inspected
and reviewed, and its content, learning and assessment methods, and more
have been given the stamp of approval by professional regulatory bodies.
These professional training bodies have standards that need to be met in
order for courses to receive accreditation.
There are many different regulatory bodies that can accredited a course.
For example, architecture courses may be accredited by the Royal Institute
of British Architects, while electrical engineering courses by the Institution
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and accounting degrees by the
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This varies with
every degree providing accredited courses in the UK, including architecture,
engineering, psychology, dentistry, accounting, optometry, physiotherapy,
dietetics, and other fields.
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4. 4
WHY YOU SHOULD
CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED
COURSE
There are many reasons why people choose to
get an accredited degree, ranging from good
career prospects to becoming a member of a
professional body.

5. Protected Job Titles
There are some job titles that you cannot
legally use unless you’re registered with the
relevant authority. One example of this is
calling yourself an architect in the UK. Unless
you’re on the Register of Architects, you can’t
describe yourself as one. These protected job
titles make it mandatory for you to gain
accreditation to be able to practice in your
chosen field.
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6. Professional Head Start
Accredited courses are a good option to
consider if you want to make sure that you’re
work-ready by the time you graduate, or if you
want a head start when applying for
postgraduate courses. They can make your
career goals easier to achieve and ensure you
know enough about the industry to start
working within it when you graduate.
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7. Boosting Career Prospects
One of the main reasons students choose accredited
degrees is because of the boost they give to their
careers. Employers and clients alike are impressed by
professional qualifications, and these can make you a
significantly more desirable option to both.
Sometimes, graduating from an accredited course can
result in you getting a better job, a higher position, or a
bigger salary. Other times, accredited courses allow
you to get your foot in the door in a highly competitive
industry, with some employers only choosing to recruit
from accredited degrees.
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8. Professional Organisation
Membership
While professional organisations are known for
gatekeeping, that isn’t their only function. They’re
incredibly useful because of the help and support they
offer to individuals throughout their careers. In addition
to training courses and lectures, they have been known to
provide access to industry-specific magazines and
journals. Graduating from an accredited course also
makes it easier to join these organisations, which may
otherwise have significant barriers to entry.
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9. Recognition and
Quality of Education
An accredited course ensures that your
degree is recognised professionally. UK
universities and courses accredited by
professional organisations are more widely
recognised across the world than those
that aren’t. This proves the high quality of
education that you have received to clients
and employers alike.
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10. Professional Exemptions
In some cases, because of the relevance of the material
you’ve studied in accredited courses, you may be exempt
from professional examinations. For example, there are
many examinations required to become a qualified
accountant. With certain accredited courses, you can earn
exemptions from the Institute of Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales (ICAEW) or the Chartered Institute
of Management Accountants (CIMA).
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11. HOW TO FIND
ACCREDITED COURSES
If you’re wondering whether a course is accredited, that information is
usually available when you look at course details on university and
college websites. However, if you’re looking for accredited courses in
general, one of the best ways to find the right one is checking the
websites of professional organisations in your industry for accredited
courses. You can narrow down your selection from there using factors
like price, location, course content, and more.
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12. CONCLUSION
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Ultimately, whether or not you
choose an accredited course is
up to your personal needs and
career requirements and
whether you require a
professional qualification to
work in your chosen industry.
We hope that this guide has
helped clarify some of the
confusion surrounding the
topic and aids you in your
decision-making process.
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Choosing to study an accredited
course can give you a head start
when it comes to gaining
employment in your chosen
industry and can open up a lot
of doors for you. Whether or
not they’re a legal requirement
of the profession you’re getting
into, opting for an accredited
course can provide many
benefits.
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Some areas like medicine,
engineering, and accountancy are
more likely than others to offer
accredited courses. Other careers,
like that of an architect, require
accreditation in order to be able to
work in the field. However, as
beneficial as accredited courses
can be, it’s important to
remember that they’re not
necessary for everyone, and their
benefits do not mean that courses
that aren’t accredited aren’t
valuable or worth pursuing.

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