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ICB Level 2 Package A1, A2, A3
ICB Level 2 Package Certificate in Bookkeeping A1, A2, A3
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Learn About ICB Level 2 Package A1, A2, A3
ICB Level 2 – Entry Level Package – Certificate in Bookkeeping
Latest Syllabus. The Level 2 Package Certificate in Bookkeeping course is an entry level qualification to help you on your way to becoming a Professional Bookkeeper. The course content focuses on the ICB syllabus in order to prepare you for the ICB examinations. The package includes the following 3 (three) modules:
- A1 and A2 (Manual Bookkeeping)
- A3 (Computerised Bookkeeping)
As an entry level qualification, this Level 2 Certificate package will equip you to manage:
- Your own or your business partners bookkeeping and accounts
- Apply for jobs and begin your career in Bookkeeping and Accounts,
- Take the first steps to become a fully qualified Bookkeeper
- Provide Self-employed Bookkeeper services.
The computerised section of this package (A3), is based on Sage 50 Accounts, ideal for small business owners. However, the majority of accounts/bookkeeping jobs advertised require an applicant to be familiar with Sage 50 Professional software. (Not Sage 50 Essentials and NO monthly subscriptions)
Once you have completed your Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping you have the opportunity to upgrade your ICB membership status. In this event you can use the letters AICB after your name, plus have access to the professional support and resources available through the ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers).
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course as it is specifically designed as an entry-level course. Basic numerical skills and a good understanding of the English language, however are essential.
Duration
Allow 80-100 hours average active study time. This course can be completed within a 6 month period or less, depending on the number of study hours you devote to the course.
Please Note: Software is not compatible with macs. We suggest using Apple Bootcamp to install Windows
Course Information
Other Categories
Lessons
COURSE CONTENT
ICB – A1 Basic double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance (manual)
What you will learn:
- Underpinning Knowledge: The role of the Bookkeeper
- Types of businesses
- The concepts of Business Entity and Historic Cost
- Setting up the Bank Account
- The Analysed Cash Book
- An Introduction to Double Entry Bookkeeping
- The concept of Duality Correction of Errors
- The Journal
- The Cash Account
- Two Column Cash Book
- #Debit and Credit Cards
- Payroll Transactions
- Credit Transactions
- An Introduction to Value Added Tax
- Business Documents
- Calculating VAT
- Discounts
- VAT and the Ledgers
- Petty Cash
- Practice activities with model answers
- Practical assignments
- ICB Mock Exam
- Online ICB Exam (home or work)- CompleteICB A2 – Further double-entry bookkeeping
What you will learn:
- Day Books
- Control Accounts
- Three Column Cash Book
- Bad debts
- Sale of an Asset
- Bank Reconciliation
- Paying the VAT bill
- The Construction Industry
- Withdrawal of funds by partners and directors
- Foreign Transactions
- Relevant Legislation
- Practice activities with model answers
- Online Knowledge tests
- Practical assignments
- ICB Mock Exam
- Online ICB Exam (home or work)- Complete
- A3 Computerised Data Entry to trial balance using a Sage accounts package
- Setting Up a New Business
- Getting Started
- Rebuilding data & manual configuration
- Company set-up wizard
- Opening balances
- Product Codes
- Setting up New Customers/Suppliers
- Adding New Customers
- Invoices with Trade/Settlement Discounts
- Settlement Discounts
- Customer Invoicing Procedure
- Supplier Invoices
- Corrections
- Customer Receipts & Supplier Payments
- Customer Receipts
- Payments on Account
- Bad Debt Write Offs & Sale of Assets
- Bad Debt Write Off
- Bad Debt Recovered
- Sale of Assets
- Bank Reconciliation
- Wages / Salaries & Voluntary Deductions
- Wages & Salaries
- Voluntary Deductions
- Cash Account & Petty Cash Account
- Cash Account
- Petty Cash Account
- Allocating Credit Notes
- Health & Safety
- The Use of Computers
- Exam Preparation
- ICB Mock Exam
- Online ICB Exam (assignment) – CompleteICB A3 – Computerised Data Entry to trial balance using Sage accounts package
What you will learn:
- Setting Up a New Business
- Getting Started
- Rebuilding data & manual configuration
- Company set-up wizard
- Opening balances
- Product Codes
- Setting up New Customers/Suppliers
- Adding New Customers
- Invoices with Trade/Settlement Discounts
- Settlement Discounts
- Customer Invoicing Procedure
- Supplier Invoices
- Corrections
- Customer Receipts & Supplier Payments
- Customer Receipts
- Payments on Account
- Bad Debt Write Offs & Sale of Assets
- Bad Debt Write Off
- Bad Debt Recovered
- Sale of Assets
- Bank Reconciliation
- Wages / Salaries & Voluntary Deductions
- Wages & Salaries
- Voluntary Deductions
- Cash Account & Petty Cash Account
- Cash Account
- Petty Cash Account
- Allocating Credit Notes
- Health & Safety
- The Use of Computers
- Exam Preparation
- Mock Exam
Learning Goals
ADL’s Tutor/Admin Support System
ADL has developed an admin and tutor support system that is primarily focused on meeting student needs. We always respond to emails and phone calls in a very timely manner.
Our tutors apart from being professionally qualified, are appointed because they understand the importance of student support, friendly and well able to motivate. Every ADL Bookkeeping student is assigned their own personal tutor who will support you throughout your course and beyond. Your tutor is there to guide and facilitate your learning and provide as much or as little individual contact as you would like.
Tutor Feedback: When you submit your coursework the tutor will give you feedback – a very important component in the learning process – that helps you develop a better understanding of bookkeeping – you are not left alone to struggle with course content. This provides the necessary motivation that is essential to being a successful distance learning student.
If you need help, have questions or don’t understand any part of a lesson /assignment, we encourage you to contact your tutor as often as you like. It makes no difference what part of the globe you live in – your tutor is only an email, phone or skype call away.
“Dear Amanda
Last weekend was a time of surprises: There was a very nice envelope waiting for me on my return pm Saturday: it was your package full of all the information and course work for my course. Thank you so much,Amanda for your package: I was both very grateful and very impressed with what I received. I have started with the Students Manual. This I found it to be very compressive and informative. It is something that I will refer back to on many occasions. The other manual was the complete course work for the Basic Level in Bookkeeping: what a surprise and eye opener! I have had a quick look through and was really impressed with its content, layout and how in-depth the subject is dealt with. I can see how ADL achieve such high exam results. I am very grateful to you, Amanda, for the speed with which you dealt with my query; truly appreciated with the support received so far. From today I will be focusing on the coursework and hope to do it justice. I am really looking forward to it. Again, many, many thanks for your support.” John C, ICB Bookkeeping Level 1, UK
Practical (Set Tasks)
Examinations
ICB Exams usually focus on the following:
Paper A1 – Covers basic double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance
- Exam taken at your home or place of work, assessment includes:
- Underpinning knowledge
- Knowledge of the different categories of business that exist
- Terms in bookkeeping (assets, liabilities etc.)
- Banking procedures
- Understanding the different categories of VAT (standard, reduced, zero, exempt, outside the scope)
- Calculation the value of the capital investment for a sole trader
- Calculation of business documents including calculation of VAT
- Showing an understanding of the effect of entering transactions into a bookkeeping system for sales, purchases,
- overheads, capital items, returns, personal items etc.
- The effect of making and receiving payments including bank, cash and petty cash transactions
- Calculation of account balances Production and explanation of a trial balance
Paper A2 – Covers further double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance
- Home or place of work-based, assessment includes:
- Underpinning knowledge
- Ethics Legislation relevant to the bookkeeper
- Accounting concepts
Further double-entry including the following Topics from paper 1
- The content of control accounts
- Writing off a bad debt
- Construction Industry Scheme
- Posting non-sole trader entries (subscriptions, donations, drawings of partners, directors’ loan accounts etc.)
- Entry of payroll journals
- Calculation of the value of a suspense account in a system that does not balance
- Reconciliation of debtors, creditors and bank balances
- Correction of errors that do not affect the trial balance
- Production and explanation of a trial balance
Paper A3 – Covers data entry to trial balance using a computerized accounts package Home or place of work-based test to include the use of a computerised accounting package:
- Opening of entries
- Entry of cash and credit transactions
- Reconciliations Production of a trial balance
- Production of reports for debtors, creditors, bank, VAT and the audit trailPlease Note: It is important to take the three assessments in the order as listed above. You will need to pass all three assessments to gain the full qualification.GRADING
ICB qualifications are graded as below: - Distinction 95 -100%
- Merit 90 – 94%
- Pass 85 – 89%
- Fail 0 – 84%
Once all 3 exams have been passed, your ICB Level 2 Certificate will be issued and you will be awarded a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction with Honours, based on your combination of marks as follows:
- Distinction with Honours 295 marks and above
- Distinction 285 – 294 marks
- Merit 270 – 284 marks
- Pass 255 – 269 marksBOOKKEEPING PROGRESSION
After completing the Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, you will be eligible to continue your career path in the ICB: - Level 3, thus upgrading to the awarded letters ‘MICB’
- Level 3 ‘M4’ Year End Sole Traders (Incs Computerised Sage section)
- Level 3 ‘M5’ Year End Partnerships
- Level 3 ‘M6’ Year End Not for Profit Organisations Level 3
- ‘M7’ Limited Companies and Performance Indicator Ratios
- Level 3 ‘M8’ External examination covering the entire Level 3 syllabus
More Information
COURSE CONTENT
ICB – A1 Basic double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance (manual)
What you will learn:
- Underpinning Knowledge: The role of the Bookkeeper
- Types of businesses
- The concepts of Business Entity and Historic Cost
- Setting up the Bank Account
- The Analysed Cash Book
- An Introduction to Double Entry Bookkeeping
- The concept of Duality
- Correction of Errors
- The Journal
- The Cash Account
- Two Column Cash Book
- Debit and Credit Cards
- Payroll Transactions
- Credit Transactions
- An Introduction to Value Added Tax
- Business Documents
- Calculating VAT
- Discounts
- VAT and the Ledgers
- Petty Cash
- Practice activities with model answers
- Practical assignments
- ICB Mock Exam
- Online ICB Exam (home or work)- Complete
ICB A2 – Further double-entry bookkeeping
What you will learn:
- Day Books
- Control Accounts
- Three Column Cash Book
- Bad debts
- Sale of an Asset
- Bank Reconciliation
- Paying the VAT bill
- The Construction Industry
- Withdrawal of funds by partners and directors
- Foreign Transactions
- Relevant Legislation
- Practice activities with model answers
- Online Knowledge tests
- Practical assignments
- ICB Mock Exam
- Online ICB Exam (home or work)- Complete
- A3 Computerised Data Entry to trial balance using a Sage accounts package
- Setting Up a New Business
- Getting Started
- Rebuilding data & manual configuration
- Company set-up wizard
- Opening balances
- Product Codes
- Setting up New Customers/Suppliers
- Adding New Customers
- Invoices with Trade/Settlement Discounts
- Settlement Discounts
- Customer Invoicing Procedure
- Supplier Invoices
- Corrections
- Customer Receipts & Supplier Payments
- Customer Receipts
- Payments on Account
- Bad Debt Write Offs & Sale of Assets
- Bad Debt Write Off
- Bad Debt Recovered
- Sale of Assets
- Bank Reconciliation
- Wages / Salaries & Voluntary Deductions
- Wages & Salaries
- Voluntary Deductions
- Cash Account & Petty Cash Account
- Cash Account
- Petty Cash Account
- Allocating Credit Notes
- Health & Safety
- The Use of Computers
- Exam Preparation
- ICB Mock Exam
Online ICB Exam (assignment) – Complete
ICB A3 – Computerised Data Entry to trial balance using Sage accounts package
What you will learn
- Setting Up a New Business
- Getting Started
- Rebuilding data & manual configuration
- Company set-up wizard
- Opening balances
- Product Codes
- Setting up New Customers/Suppliers
- Adding New Customers
- Invoices with Trade/Settlement Discounts
- Settlement Discounts
- Customer Invoicing Procedure
- Supplier Invoices
- Corrections
- Customer Receipts & Supplier Payments
- Customer Receipts
- Payments on Account
- Bad Debt Write Offs & Sale of Assets
- Bad Debt Write Off
- Bad Debt Recovered
- Sale of Assets
- Bank Reconciliation
- Wages / Salaries & Voluntary Deductions
- Wages & Salaries
- Voluntary Deductions
- Cash Account & Petty Cash Account
- Cash Account
- Petty Cash Account
- Allocating Credit Notes
- Health & Safety
- The Use of Computers
- Exam Preparation
- Mock Exam
ICB EXAMINATIONS
How to prepare
In addition to lesson assignments, you will also have access to one ICB Mock exam. The mock exam follows the same layout as a typical ICB exam. You will have a good idea of what to expect on the final day.
Exam fees are set at the discretion of ICB. We do pay the exam fee up to the time you purchased the course. However, any additional increase in exam fees would be payable by the student.
‘A1’ and ‘A2’ are Online Examinations and should be completed wherever a student has uninterrupted access to a secure internet connection. Paper ‘A3’ is an Online Assignment. All 3 exams are completed within time restraints so it is important to set aside quiet time to complete successfully.
All exams (including MOCK exams) are found within the students MYICB basket of which they access through the ICB website with their unique access details.
Students are required to contact ADL support to have us book your ICB Exam. These fees are included in our tutition fee.
ICB Exams usually focus on the following:
Paper A1 – Covers basic double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance
- Exam taken at your home or place of work, assessment includes:
- Underpinning knowledge
- Knowledge of the different categories of business that exist
- Terms in bookkeeping (assets, liabilities etc.)
- Banking procedures
- Understanding the different categories of VAT (standard, reduced, zero, exempt, outside the scope)
- Calculation the value of the capital investment for a sole trader
- Calculation of business documents including calculation of VAT
- Showing an understanding of the effect of entering transactions into a bookkeeping system for sales, purchases, overheads, capital items, returns, personal items etc.
- The effect of making and receiving payments including bank, cash and petty cash transactions
- Calculation of account balances
- Production and explanation of a trial balance
Paper A2 – Covers further double entry bookkeeping to trial balance
- Home or place of work based, assessment includes:
- Underpinning knowledge
- Ethics
- Legislation relevant to the bookkeeper
- Accounting concepts
- Further double entry including the following
- Topics from paper 1
- The content of control accounts
- Writing off a bad debt
- Construction Industry Scheme
- Posting non-sole trader entries (subscriptions, donations, drawings of partners, directors’ loan accounts etc.)
- Entry of payroll journals
- Calculation of the value of a suspense account in a system that does not balance
- Reconciliation of debtors, creditors and bank balances
- Correction of errors that do not affect the trial balance
- Production and explanation of a trial balance
Paper A3 – Covers data entry to trial balance using a computerized accounts package
- Home or place of work based test to include the use of a computerised accounting package to include:
- Opening of entries
- Entry of cash and credit transactions
- Reconciliations
- Production of a trial balance
- Production of reports for debtors, creditors, bank, VAT and the audit trail
Please Note: It is important to take the three assessments in the order as listed above. You will need to pass all three assessments to gain the full qualification.
GRADING
ICB qualifications are graded as below:
- Distinction 95 -100%
- Merit 90 – 94%
- Pass 85 – 89%
- Fail 0 – 84%
Once all 3 exams have been passed, your ICB Level 2 Certificate will be issued and you will be awarded a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction with Honours, based on your combination of marks as follows:
- Distinction with Honours 295 marks and above
- Distinction 285 – 294 marks
- Merit 270 – 284 marks
- Pass 255 – 269 marks
BOOKKEEPING PROGRESSION
After completing the Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, you will be eligible to continue your career path in the ICB with Level 3, thus upgrading to the awarded letters ‘MICB’
- Level 3 ‘M4’ Year End Sole Traders (Incs Computerised Sage section)
- Level 3 ‘M5’ Year End Partnerships
- Level 3 ‘M6’ Year End Not for Profit Organisations
- Level 3 ‘M7’ Limited Companies and Performance Indicator Ratios
- Level 3 ‘M8’ External examination covering the entire Level 3 syllabus
Assessment
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
How our courses work
- Choose Your Learning Method
You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline. - Tutor Allocation
Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited. - Feedback and Assignments
Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required.
Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit. - Set Tasks and Self-Tests
Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests. - Exams
Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead.
Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this. - Design Your Own Qualification
ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Due to our years of experience and wide range of online courses, here are a list of our FAQs and Answers asked by Students.
General
Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, you are not required to purchase expensive text books for any of our courses, since each module has been written by highly qualified tutors and writers, and our courses are updated on a regular basis, adding new information, methods and knowledge. You are supplied with all “essential” references. Extra books are always useful though, especially for special projects. Tutors will advise you what to buy if you decide you would like to have extra reading material, but it is not essential. Check out our eBookstore if you’re looking for a starting point.
Q. What sets the Academy apart from other institutions?
A. A unique feature of our courses is that we combine knowledge of the subject matter with practical tasks (set tasks, found at the end of each lesson). So you get to do practical components in each lesson. The benefits of this approach are immense: – your skills and knowledge are developed to a much higher level not normally found at other distance learning institutions.
Q. How do the practical exercises (set tasks) work?
A. The practical component of each lesson can be in the form of : Field Research, Networking and Analysis, Conducting Surveys, Growing, Collecting, Photographing and Processes.
Q. If I do a shorter course first, can I get credits towards a certificate or diploma later?
A. Yes. We will assess previous studies to give you appropriate credits.
Q. Can I pay by instalments?
A. Yes, you can view all available payment options here.
Q. Do I get a discount if two of us enrol together?
A. Yes. You may claim a 5% discount on fees if you both enrol in courses at the same time.
Q. Do I get a discount if I enrol in a second course?
A. Yes. You will be offered a 10% discount on subsequent courses you enrol for.
Q. Can I use more than one discount code when enrolling for my course?
A. No. You can only use one discount code chosen by yourself per course, when more than one is available.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however; have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are there any hidden costs?
A. There are no hidden extras – the tuition fee covers all course material, unlimited tutor support, assignment marking/feedback and any text books where specified and exams. The only extras are for the public examinations fees for the ICB Bookkeeping course and the RHS (Royal Horticulture Society) exams.
Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are continually updated. The course content is rapidly updated and improved without the red tape and bureaucracy experienced at other educational institutions.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. What Recognition do you have?
A. The Academy for Distance Learning has various forms of recognition:
These include TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) – an Ofqual Awarding Organisation – ADL is an approved TQUK Centre.
IARC – International Approval Registration Centre, approved member. Accredited Training Provider for ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and Approved Distance Learning Provider for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and many more. Our graduates come from many parts of the world and have used our qualifications for successful employment and progression onto higher education. To view our full list of recognition and memberships please click here,
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at the Academy our students are our priority – we treat every student as a unique individual. This philosophy allows us to nurture those who are “slow and steady” learners rather than letting them fall through the cracks, while catering for those who are in a hurry to complete.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you. You’re under no pressure to finish by a certain deadline.
Q. Completing the course- how long will it take?
A. Completion of modules varies from student to student. Many factors come into play such as work commitments and family life- there are always distractions. Some students work quicker than others. For a 100 hour module many students will take up to 3- 6 months, others take less time and some are even longer. It’s all up to you. There is no pressure to complete or deadline to finish. Naturally, longer courses will take more time.
Q. What learning formats are there?
A. Your enrollment comes with the Online Classroom study option by default. For a small additional cost you also have the options of USB or Correspondence.
USB: Your course is sent to you on a USB stick, so that you can carry it in your pocket. Ideal for those with unreliable internet connections. This option is an additional £5/module
Correspondence: You download the course content and then print your own copy to your requirements. You can then bind the lessons to suit your needs.
Assessments
Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a project instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location, or you can visit us in Canterbury, England to sit the exam if want to. Exam fees are included in the tuition fee you paid. You can read more about the examination process here. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment. You submit it to the academy who then submits it to the tutor for marking, comments and feedback. Our policy is to have a grade for you within 5 to 7 days.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes – If you’re not happy with your work submitted you may re-submit the assignment again.
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons there would be 10 assignments. The number of lessons per module varies from module to module. See the course content from our website for further details.
Q. When do I have to hand in my first assignment?
A. There is no deadline for handing in the first assignment. Submit when you are ready. There are some students who hand in assignments within the first couple of weeks of enrolment – while there are others who submit their work 6 months later. It’s all at your own convenience to suit you. Everyone has different work and home commitments and we cater to these needs.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country; however, there may be an additional expense. We can appoint an appropriately qualified person anywhere to work through curriculum documentation supplied by us, to satisfy the requirements set down in a course.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would receive a Certificate (providing you complete all assignments and the exam). If you just want to complete the assignments only, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications awarded please click here.
Q. Is there a next level to progress to?
A. Yes – you can progress from one module to a combination of many modules and to higher qualifications i.e. Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and Higher Advanced Diplomas. Read more about course levels here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to design your own diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. It’s a very popular option and widely used by many students. You quite simply choose the appropriate number of related modules needed to complete the qualification and submit them to us for approval as a custom diploma.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of a 100-hour Certificate course and providing all assignments and exam have been completed, you will receive a Certificate and Transcript. The Transcript will list your GPA. Each 100-hour module is worth 3 credit hours.
Exams
Q. Do I have to sit for an exam?
A. Exams are optional but need to be undertaken in order to receive the Certificate or higher qualification. Exams are one and a half hours long. You appoint an adjudicator (subject to our approval) to supervise the exam. You sit for the exam in your own location. Its that simple.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. If you feel you don’t cope well with exams you may elect to undertake a Project (set by the tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Many students prefer this option as they find researching the material for the project sharpens their research skills.
Q. If I don’t sit for the Exam do I still get a qualification?
A. If you don’t sit for the exam but complete the project alternative, you will still receive your endorsed qualification. If you don’t sit for an exam or complete a final project, providing you have completed all the assignments you will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.
Q. Do I have to sit for the exam at the Academy?
A. No – whilst you are more than welcome to come to our location in Canterbury, U.K. and sit the exam in our classroom; the more popular option is to sit for the exam in your own location. You appoint an adjudicator to supervise the exam. Click here for more information on that process.
Q. Are there any exam fees?
A. There are no exam fees. However, for some public examinations such as the ICB (Bookkeeping) and RHS courses exam fees do apply. See course content for details.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We only employ tutors who have are currently active in their industry with at least 5 years of real-world experience. Not only are they highly qualified but also experienced, knowledgeable, and professional- experts in their chosen fields from all parts of the world.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes- you have unlimited access to tutors. We strongly encourage students to develop a dialogue with their Tutor. This is why we encourage students to submit their first assignment fairly quickly at the beginning of the course.
Every Academy student is assigned a tutor who supports you throughout your course and beyond. Your tutor is there to guide and facilitate your learning and provides as much or as little individual contact as you would like. When you submit your coursework the tutor will give you feedback that helps you develop your ideas and provides motivation. For those who do like to have interaction with other students, the ADL discussion forum connects you to students from all over the world.
Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. You have direct contact with your tutor by email through the Online Classroom. Alternatively, you can write, fax, email, or phone the academy. Leave a message if your tutor isn’t available and they will phone, write or fax back; whatever suits you.
Q. If I don’t agree with / like my tutor can I request a change?
A. Yes – we try to accommodate and meet student’s needs and a change of tutor may be arranged.
Q. If I don’t understand a question or a lesson may I contact the tutor?
A. You may contact a tutor as often as you like. There is no additional charge or restriction on this service. Contact can be made via the Student Zone, email, or by phone.
Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.
Career Options
What's Included
- 12 Months ICB Student registration fee
- 3 x Printed Workbooks (A1, A2 & A3) containing Lessons, Examples, Activities and Assessments
- Printed Answers Workbook
- Free Postage & Packaging within the UK (overseas will accrue an extra fee)
- ICB Exams and Booking Fees (A1,A2 & A3)
- 1 ICB Mock Exam per course (A1, A2 & A3)
- Online classroom access to Resources, Templates and Examples
- Advice and Support from Qualified Tutors by phone or email
- Marked assignments where required
- Sage 50 Accounts Professional software for the duration of your studies
- ICBenefits Free access to ICB’s award-winning membership benefits scheme.
Career Opportunities
FAQ - RHS Theory Qualifications
GENERAL
If you require further details about any of the RHS industry recognised qualifications please, call one of our friendly RHS Course Advisors on +44 (0)1227 789 649 or email: info@adlhomestudy.co.uk
Q: When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL?
A: Anytime, Anywhere. There are no enrolment deadlines.
Q: I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas?
A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.
Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing an RHS Qualification?
A: At present there are no time limits. However, RHS is contemplating in the future, the introduction of course time-lines.
Q: Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)?
A: The RHS Theory courses do not require prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. You just need passion for all things horticulture.
Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications.
A: We highly recommend that you start with Level 2 – Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance.
Q: What Does ADL Course Material Include?
A: Includes Power Point Presentations, Videos and written course lessons.
RHS EXAMS
Q: When Do Exams Take Place?
A: Exams are held on fixed dates in February and June of each year. You should register as a candidate at least 3 months before these dates, so please do not leave exam registration to the last minute
Q: Where Do I Take My Exams?
A: UK: You take the exams at the RHS Wisley Centre, located between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey or at other authorised RHS centres around the UK.
Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.
Q: Exam Pass Marks?
A: Module – pass 50%. Commendation 70%.
Qualification: 50% pass for all modules.
Commendation awarded for all modules.
Each question carries a value of 10 marks.
Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results?
A: You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity.
There are no restrictions on the number of re-sits you can take. The highest mark you achieve will remain.,