Ascentis
AVA Licensing
1990: Licence first granted
2013: Licence last renewed
2017: Licence continuation confirmed
AVA Monitoring
February 2019: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
May 2019: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
September 2020 - July 2021: AVA Extraordinary Regulatory Framework monitoring activities completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
September 2021: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
February 2022: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
July 2022: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
August 2022: AVA monitoring activity undertaken; AVA licence continuation confirmed
September 2022: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
February 2023: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
September 2023: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
February 2024: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
September 2024: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
February 2025: AVA annual monitoring activity completed; AVA licence continuation confirmed
Current status
All AVAs are currently going through a new licensing assessment as part of the transition to the New QAA Access to HE Recognition Scheme. We have therefore removed the historical risk ratings used under the old licensing criteria. We will publish any new regulatory judgements by end August 2026.
If you have a query about the regulatory compliance of any AVA, please contact ahe@qaa.ac.uk. If you have an issue or concern about an AVA you would like to raise with us, please view our Concerns Scheme.
Statistics
Total number of providers: 47
Total number of Access to HE courses available: 253
Total number of Access to HE courses running: 219
Total number of registered students on courses during the 2022-23 year: 9,332
Total Access to HE certifications in 2022-23: 3,822
History
Ascentis was previously known as Open College of the North West. Completed a merger by acquisition with AptEd on 5 November 2015. Ascentis also holds student records for Southern Area Access Validating Agency (SAAVA).
Contact details
Ascentis House
Lancaster Business Park
3 Mannin Way
Lancaster
LA1 3SW
Telephone: 01524 845046
UKPRN: 10026027