Information for Learners

As an Awarding Organisation, we do not offer our qualifications directly to learners. We work with education providers (colleges, training providers, employers etc) across the country who provide the teaching, resources and assessments required to help you achieve our qualifications.

In many cases your college or learning provider will be best placed to help you and your individual needs and circumstances. However, we want to help in anyway we can too, so below you will find answers to the most common questions we are asked by learners.

If you cannot find the answer you need below, please use our online enquiry form to get in touch and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

Support for learners at training providers which have closed or gone into liquidation

If your training provider has closed or gone into liquidation, first try and contact your training provider or look on their website for any guidance that they may have provided.

If the the Centre is a recognised Gateway Qualifications Centre and you’re a learner currently completing a Gateway Qualifications qualification with them, please email centre.compliance@gatewayqualifications.org.uk providing as much information on your course of study, so that we can support you with your next steps.

St Helens Chamber

We understand that St Helens Chamber has ceased trading, and we want to ensure that the closure does not negatively impact Gateway Qualifications learners.

If you’re a learner currently completing a Gateway Qualifications qualification with St Helens Chamber, please get in touch with centre.compliance@gatewayqualifications.org.uk so that we can support you with your next steps.

Skills Training UK

We understand that Skills Training UK is taking steps to appoint liquidators and delivery to learners across all courses has stopped. We want to ensure this does not negatively impact Gateway Qualifications learners.

If you’re a learner currently completing a Gateway Qualifications qualification with Skills Training UK, please get in touch with centre.compliance@gatewayqualifications.org.uk so that we can support you with your next steps.

Go Train Ltd

We understand that Go Train Ltd has ceased trading, and we want to ensure that the closure does not negatively impact Gateway Qualifications learners.

If you’re a learner currently completing a Gateway Qualifications qualification with Go Train Ltd, please get in touch with centre.compliance@gatewayqualifications.org.uk so that we can support you with your next steps.

Where to study
Where can I study for one of your qualifications?
I have found a course on your website, are you able to confirm if there is any funding available?

Whether or not you are able to receive funding to help with the cost of a course depends on a lot of different factors such as your age, employment status, previous education and also on the contracts or agreements your chosen college/provider has with different funding agencies.

You should speak to the provider of your course who will be able to advise you of any funding available, or provide an Information of Funding Letter. They will also be able to let you know how to apply and ensure you meet any eligibility criteria.

All about Certificates
I have lost my certificate, can I get a replacement?

In order to replace a certificate, you will need to complete an online application form. Please read all of the following information before completing the form.

Gateway Qualifications (formerly known as OCN Eastern Region) will endeavour to issue replacement certificates achieved within the last 10 years only.  In addition, if you studied a NOCN qualification we are unable to provide replacements and you should contact NOCN directly for further information.  If you are unsure, please contact your college or training provider for further information before proceeding with this application.

It costs £25.00 for a search of our archive records and this is non-refundable whether or not the search is successful.  The fee includes the replacement eCertificate and/or amendment of the certificate requested.

If we hold your results – What you need to know

  • This form should only be completed when the college or training provider you studied at no longer holds your records.  Please contact them before completing the form.
  • We aim to process the request within 10 working days after full payment is received.
  • We will issue replacement eCertificates to you by secure link to your email address

If you wish to proceed – Please complete this form to request a replacement certificate.

My name has changed since I completed my qualification, how can I get my certificate updated?

Certificates must reflect your name at the time of the award. We can only approve name amendments on certificates in the following circumstances:

  • Obvious Spelling Errors
  • Evidence can be provided that the name was changed prior to the original certification
  • Gender Reassignment
  • UK Protected Person Service Status
How much does a replacement certificate cost?

It costs £25.00 for eCertificates which are emailed to you by secure link to save, download or print.

The fee is for a search of our archive records and is non-refundable whether or not the search is successful. The fee includes the replacement eCertificate and/or amendment of the certificate requested.

If you wish to request a replacement certificate, please complete this form.

When will I get my certificate?

Your training provider or college will provide you with your certificate when you complete your course, so you should speak to them in the first instance about when you can expect to receive your certificate.

Gateway Qualifications endeavours to dispatch certificates to centres within five working days of a successfully completed claim. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will receive your certificate five days after completing your course as there may be work that needs to be marked or checked, or the provider may be planning an awards ceremony to present successful learners with certificates.

If you have spoken to your training provider and believe you should have received a certificate please contact us.

How can I tell if a certificate is genuine?

If you have a qualification certificate awarded by OCN Eastern Region or Gateway Qualifications that you would like to verify as authentic you can use our free Certificate Authentication service to instantly verify a certificate online.

You will need the following information to complete the authentication, most of which you will find on the certificate:

  • Qualification Number (QAN)
  • Certificate Number
  • Learner’s Name
  • Learner’s Date of Birth (DOB)
Access to HE Diplomas
How can I check my UCAS points?

The number of Tariff points for the Access to HE Diploma varies between 48 and 144 points, dependent on your grade profile.

For full details please read our guide to UCAS tariff.

Will my Higher Education Provider/University accept my certificate?

If you have achieved an Access to Higher Education Diploma it is a nationally recognised qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and will be accepted by most UK universities.

You should always check with the institution you intend to study at as they may have other entry requirements that you also need to meet, or require your Access to Higher Education Diploma to have specific subject focus.

Certificates do not have an expiry date, but some HE providers may require evidence of recent study.

Where can I find more support and information about Access to HE?

We have a section on our website for Access to Higher Education students which provides more information and links you may useful.

Frequently asked questions
What is my qualification equivalent to?

It is difficult to draw direct equivalencies between qualifications due to the different subject matter and detail that qualifications cover.

Qualifications all have a Level which indicates the difficulty of the qualification. The higher the level, the more difficult the qualification.

Qualifications also have a size, this could be measured in credits or in the time an average person would be expected to take to complete the qualification.

The Gov.UK website provides a list of the different types of qualifications available at each level, and links to compare Scottish or overseas qualifications.

If you have achieved a level 3 qualification (such as Access to Higher Education) with the intention of progressing to Higher Education, you can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to find out how many points each qualification attracts.

If you are intending to study a qualification to meet the entry requirements for a job or further study, we would always recommend checking with your intended employer or provider that they will accept that particular qualification before you start your studies.

Why didn't I get the qualification I was expecting?

There can be a number of reasons why you have not receive the qualification you were expecting.

It is always best to return to the college/provider where you studied and we will work with them to resolve the issue.

Why am I being asked to pay a different cost to the price displayed on your website?

The prices displayed on our website are the prices we charge to registered Centres delivering our courses and do not reflect the overall charges a Centre may charge learners.

In addition to the charges shown on our website, providers will have to take into account factors such as your eligibility for public funding, the cost of teaching staff, buildings and any other resources or equipment that they make available.

It is always best to check the cost of a course directly with a provider.

Where can I get help about my next steps

Please speak to your Centres careers advisers regarding progression and next steps. The National Careers Service is an all-age careers service where you can find lots of information on careers, applying for further/higher education or employment.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ Tel: 0800 100 900

I want to make a complaint about one of your Centres

If you have a complaint regarding your Centre, you must first follow the complaints procedure of that centre. This should be available on their website or you can ask for their complaints procedure/policy.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Centre’s complaint investigation, you may raise the matter with Gateway Qualifications by completing the Complaints Form Here

We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within two working days.  We aim to have a resolution for you within ten working days,.  In more complex cases this may not always be possible.  In these circumstances, we will ensure that we keep you updated on the progress of your

I have another question which isn't answered here, where do I go now?

In many cases your college or learning provider will be best placed to help you.

If you need to contact us about anything else, please use our online enquiry form to get in touch and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.