OTHM, Qualifi, LSPM and the Ofqual register
Four parties are involved in every qualification on this site, and each does one job. This page sets out the chain from regulator to awarding body to approved centre to this site, compares the two awarding bodies as they appear in the catalogue, and shows how to verify both a qualification and LSPM's centre approval for yourself.
The chain, in order
- Ofqual regulatesThe regulator of qualifications in England recognises awarding organisations, sets the conditions they work under, and keeps the public register on which every regulated qualification appears with its level, credit value and operational dates.
- OTHM and Qualifi awardRecognised awarding organisations. They write the specifications, approve centres, externally verify marking and issue certificates. They do not teach and they do not run this site.
- LSPM deliversLondon School of Planning and Management is the approved centre. It admits learners against the awarding body's criteria, registers them, teaches and marks, and submits work for verification. It cannot change a specification, a credit value or a title.
- This site advises and refersPublished by LearnLoom Consultants, an independent recruitment agent for LSPM. We explain the qualifications, answer enquiries and introduce applicants to LSPM, which pays us a fee on enrolment. We hold no approval from either awarding body and claim none.
How the two awarding bodies differ in this catalogue
Counted from the programme data on this site, not from either body's full list.
| OTHM | Qualifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Programmes on this site | 27 | 29 |
| Of which Extended Diplomas | 13 | 14 |
| Total qualification time published on the web listing | 23 of 27 | 0 of 29 |
| Unit credit values published on the web listing | 26 of 27 | 0 of 29 |
| Mandatory units per programme | 4–12 | 4–19 |
| Typical unit size | 20 credits, six per level | Varies; credit per unit stated in the specification |
| Entry criteria style | Fixed bullets: prior level, A levels, mature-learner clause | Often a centre-led assessment with indicative prior levels |
| Website | othm.org.uk | qualifi.net |
"Published on the web listing" means present on the awarding body's programme page, which is where this site's data file is generated from. A figure missing there is normally in the specification PDF.
Verify a qualification
- Copy the Ofqual number from the programme page (three digits, four digits, one character, e.g. 610/1527/1).
- Search it at register.ofqual.gov.uk; each programme page links straight to the search.
- Check the awarding organisation, the level (5), the credit value (120 or 240) and that the qualification is open for registration.
- Open the specification PDF linked from the programme page and compare its unit list with the one shown here. If they disagree, Use Enquiry form and we will correct the data.
Verify LSPM's centre approval
- OTHM publishes a list of approved delivery centres on othm.org.uk; search it for "London School of Planning and Management".
- Qualifi lists its approved centres on qualifi.net; look for the same name.
- LSPM's own accreditation page is at lspm.org.uk. Treat the awarding bodies' lists as the authority; a centre's own page is a claim, the awarding body's list is the confirmation.
- If a listing and this site disagree, the listing wins. Tell us and we will fix the page.
Not sure which credit value you need?
Tell us your highest qualification and we will say which of the 120-credit Diploma and the 240-credit Extended Diploma LSPM's entry criteria open to you, and how to start the application.