About City & Guilds
City & Guilds is the UK’s leading vocational awarding body and a household name in the UK. City & Guilds offers qualifications in more than 500 industrial sectors, ranging from vocational qualifications to management awards, from business related qualifications to English language – from beginner to the highest professional levels. We issue certificates to around 2 million learners every year, in more than 8,000 approved City & Guilds centres in the UK and worldwide, which makes City & Guilds an inseparable part of both UK and global education. It operates in around 100 countries worldwide, working closely with employers to ensure that its qualifications are a true reflection of the relevant skills and competence levels they are looking for.
City & Guilds is present in almost every corner of the world, from Europe to the Caribbean, from Asia to the Americas, operated through Branch Offices. We pride ourselves on being recognised as a global benchmark through our standards that are delivered at around 8.000 approved centres internationally through colleges, universities or prestigious businesses that envision prosperity in the upgraded skills of their human resources.
In Europe we are considered a benchmark of measuring English language competences and communication skills in English: City & Guilds International English Qualifications (IEQs)have the function of a standardised testing system, widely recognised by English Language Teaching (ELT) academic circles as a tool of measuring relevant communicative skills in English language use at all 6 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
City & Guilds IEQs are offered in most European countries, from Russia to Malta, from the Czech Republic to Italy. Thousands of learners are awarded City & Guilds English qualifications every year – to increase their chances of personal growth through mobility, employability and academic progression to institutions of higher education.
Our examination centres offering English language are universities or high-profile language schools capable of complying with the City & Guilds requirements to deliver quality education without compromising on professionalism and/or integrity.
The approved examination centres all across Europe boast a high rate of successful candidates at City & Guilds English language examinations and proudly use their success as a tool to attract a greater number of learners. We cater for the English learning needs of all age groups and social segments, as our IEQ suite embraces Young Learners examinations, General English examinations, Business English, English for Office Skills, as well as a qualification for teachers of English called ACE (Access Certificate to English Language Teaching).
City & Guilds Group
City & Guilds is the UK’s leading vocational awarding body and a household name in the UK. We offer over 500 awards in almost all sectors and at all levels from entry to post graduate. We operate in around 100 countries worldwide, working closely with employers to ensure that our qualifications are a true reflection of the relevant skills and competence levels they are looking for.
The City & Guilds Group encompasses the following businesses:
- Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
- National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC)
- Hospitality Awarding Body (HAB)
- City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development
Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) joined the Group in 2002, following a merger of NEBS Management and the Institute of Supervisory Management (ISM) - as well as boosting our range of leadership and management qualifications the addition of ILM has enabled us to offer leaders and managers the added benefit of membership of a prestigious and innovative membership body.
National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) grew out of the Young Farmers Movement in the 1930s and has been firmly rooted in the land based sector ever since. City & Guilds and NPTC customers in the sector are now able to access a wide range of relevant and reputable qualifications and licences to practise.
Launched in March 2008, the City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development is an independent, not-for-profit research and development organisation. It is committed to using evidence to improve the policy and practice of vocational education and training internationally.
The Hospitality Awarding Body (HAB) is the newest member of the group and brings with it a wealth of experience and an impeccable reputation for vocational awards in this fast growing sector.
Key dates in City & Guilds' Histroy
1878 The City & Guilds of London Institute for the Advancement of Technical Education established
1879 City & Guilds of London Art School established
1887 First overseas examinations held
1900 Royal Charter granted to provide the means and motivation for individuals, corporations and communities to achieve their goals
1907 Founding of Imperial College (comprising City & Guilds College, Royal College of Science and Royal School of Mines)
1910 24,000 candidates sit City & Guilds examinations
1951 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is appointed President of The City & Guilds of London Institute is appointed President of The City & Guilds of London Institute 1953 Associated Examinations Board (AEB) established and administered by City & Guilds
1964 Creation of NEBS Management
1966 City & Guilds offers examinations in computing – the first in the UK
1973 Technician Education Council (TEC) and Business Education Council (BEC) established and administered by City & Guilds. TEC and BEC later merged to form BTEC 1986 Review of vocational qualifications and establishment of National Council for Vocational Qualifications
1990 Acquisition of Pitman Examinations Institute
1997 Launch of Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) Launch of City & Guilds Affinity
2001 HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh KG KT Hon FCGI celebrates 50 years as President of City & Guilds Formation of ILM (The Institute of Leadership & Management)
2002 City & Guilds launches SmartScreen.co.uk interactive online services and support for learners and tutors (www.smartscreen.co.uk)
2003 City & Guilds commemorates its 125th anniversary
2005 Pitman Qualifications migration to City & Guilds brand
2005 City & Guilds acquired HAB, the UK’s specialist awarding body for hospitality and catering qualifications
2007 City & Guilds created Centre for Skills Development, and independent research and development organisation, with the aim of improving policy, practice and understanding of vocational education and training on a global level