Recognition of ACP

Since the early 1980s, ACP courses have been taught at training centres in over 60 countries worldwide. For some twenty years, our students have progressed from the ACP Advanced Diploma to undergraduate and postgraduate courses at British universities. Over the past decade, a number of ACP colleges have received university approval to run Bachelor of Science (BSc) computing courses internally at their training centre. This stands testimony to the recognition of ACP's qualifications within the UK education system and the wider world.

On these degree programmes, a student will complete the ACP Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma within two academic years. With appropriate grades in the ACP Advanced Diploma examinations, the student becomes eligible to enrol on the BSc Computing course. This is a twelve month period of study, combined with project work, covering the final year of the degree, at the end of which the successful student is awarded the BSc degree by the university. Of course, the true test of the ACP, as a degree foundation course, is the ultimate successes of our students at the end of their final degree year and the great majority do graduate with honours. An increasing number go on to complete postgraduate studies and attain their MSc degree; others find rewarding employment in reputable commercial and financial institutions and teaching establishments.

The content of ACP's professional syllabuses has, naturally, been influenced by the requirements of universities and employers. The broadly based topics encountered on the BSc have been reflected in ACP's syllabus with increasing emphasis placed upon relational databases, networking, internet applications, e-commerce, object-oriented programming and project management. The development of a student's practical skills, during his/her ACP courses ensures that they are appropriately equipped to enter the workplace upon attainment of their ACP qualification.

Equating the ACP qualification to others…
The ACP combined Certificate & Diploma qualification equates with either three A Levels; the BTEC National Diploma or the IMIS Diploma and, accordingly, fits into the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a Level 4 qualification.

The ACP Advanced Diploma equates with Edexcel Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing (HND), The IMIS Higher Diploma (new syllabus)/IMIS Graduate Diploma or a foundation degree in computing. As such, it fits into the National Qualications Framework (NQF) at (revised) Level 5.

Comparison with other computing qualifications

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