Who we work with
Our recognition and affiliations
IWS has links with four outside organisations, and each link is a different kind of relationship. We use a different verb for each one, and say below what it means for your child.
Registered with
Cambridge International Education
Qualifications awarded through
OCN London
Listed on
UK Register of Learning Providers
Associated with
Council of British International Schools
What each organisation covers
Every link goes to the organisation’s own website, so you can check for yourself.
IWS Online School is a registered online Cambridge International School.cambridgeinternational.org (opens in a new tab)Registered with
Cambridge International Education
- What it is
- The organisation behind the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level examinations.
- What it means
- IWS Online School is a registered online Cambridge International School. Students sit Cambridge IGCSE and A Level examinations, qualifications recognised by more than 2,670 universities in 99 countries, including every UK university.
- Where it applies
- Doesn’t apply to Primary
- Applies to Secondary
- Applies to IGCSE
- Applies to A Level
- Doesn’t apply to UFP
Secondary School, IGCSE and A Level. Primary School follows the National Curriculum for England, and for A Level sciences IWS offers Pearson Edexcel qualifications.
Qualifications awarded through
OCN London
- What it is
- An awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual.
- What it means
- Selected qualifications, including the University Foundation Programme, are awarded through OCN London.
- Where it applies
- Doesn’t apply to Primary
- Doesn’t apply to Secondary
- Doesn’t apply to IGCSE
- Doesn’t apply to A Level
- Applies to UFP
The University Foundation Programme and other selected qualifications. Cambridge IGCSEs and A Levels aren’t awarded through OCN London.
Listed on
UK Register of Learning Providers
- What it is
- A register where each provider is identified by its own unique UKPRN.
- What it means
- IWS is listed on the UK Register of Learning Providers, so IWS has its own UKPRN. A UKPRN is a way to confirm exactly who a provider is.
- Where it applies
- Applies to Primary
- Applies to Secondary
- Applies to IGCSE
- Applies to A Level
- Applies to UFP
The school as a whole, at every stage. A listing identifies a provider and doesn’t rate how well it teaches.
Associated with
Council of British International Schools
- What it is
- A membership body for British international schools.
- What it means
- IWS is associated with the Council of British International Schools.
- Where it applies
- Applies to Primary
- Applies to Secondary
- Applies to IGCSE
- Applies to A Level
- Applies to UFP
The school as a whole, at every stage. COBIS doesn’t award qualifications, so none of your child’s qualifications come from it.
How exams work.
IWS does not run examinations. Students sit their exams at an approved exam centre, and we guide your family through registering.
Will IWS suit your child?
These four connections tell you who IWS is and where its qualifications come from. They can’t tell you whether IWS suits your child, and the best way to find out is to see it for yourself.
- Try a lessonA 30-minute trial lesson with a qualified teacher, and a look inside the learning platform, at no charge.
- Ask us anythingA person reads your enquiry, and our admissions team replies within one working day with answers, fees for your child’s stage and honest advice.
- Hear from familiesRead what families say about IWS, and hear from our students in their own words.
Questions families ask
What recognition and affiliations does IWS have?
IWS has four recognitions and affiliations, and each is a different kind of relationship. IWS Online School is a registered online Cambridge International School. IWS is listed on the UK Register of Learning Providers and associated with the Council of British International Schools. Selected qualifications, including the University Foundation Programme, are awarded through OCN London, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual.
What’s the difference between “registered with”, “listed on” and “associated with”?
They describe three different relationships. Cambridge registers IWS as a Cambridge International School, the UK Register of Learning Providers lists it, and COBIS is a membership body that IWS is associated with. OCN London is a fourth kind of link: it relates to qualifications, and selected ones, including the University Foundation Programme, are awarded through it.
Where do students sit their exams?
IWS does not run examinations. Students sit their exams at an approved exam centre, and we guide your family through registering.
Does recognition mean my child will get a university place?
No, we never promise a place. More than 2,670 universities worldwide accept Cambridge qualifications, which tells you the qualifications are recognised, but recognition isn’t an offer, and an offer isn’t a place.
Can I check any of this myself?
Yes. Each organisation has its own website: cambridgeinternational.org, ocnlondon.org.uk, ukrlp.co.uk and cobis.org.uk. The links on this page go straight to them.
Questions about any of this?
Book a consultation and ask us anything. It’s complimentary and carries no obligation, and our admissions team replies within one working day.