What ICS Learn does

ICS Learn is a Glasgow-headquartered, privately-held distance learning organisation operating under the legal entity International Correspondence Schools Limited (Scotland, company number SC434382). The company delivers 100% online, self-paced professional qualifications and academic courses to individual learners across more than 100 countries, with a current enrolment base of approximately 21,000 students. Its product portfolio spans nine professional verticals — Human Resources (CIPD), Learning and Development (CIPD), Accountancy and Bookkeeping (AAT), Payroll (ICB/Sage), Leadership and Management (CMI/ILM), Procurement and Supply (CIPS), IT (BCS), Project Management (PRINCE2) — plus A Level and GCSE/International GCSE secondary education qualifications accredited by AQA and Pearson Edexcel.

The core technology is the proprietary MyStudySpace learning management system, which provides course material delivery, unit navigation, assessment submission, tutor communication, and live session capabilities. Assessment integrity is supported by an integrated Turnitin plagiarism and AI-content detection workflow, plus a structured 'Window of Submission' system that sequences question release, marking, and quality assurance before work is forwarded to awarding bodies. A Career Hub integration extends the platform into job-search resources. The company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number: 726654).

ICS Learn operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model: students self-enrol via the website, pay tuition fees (with interest-free monthly instalment plans available), and access content through MyStudySpace. Additional revenue comes from paid course extensions (£60-£500) and a referral programme offering Amazon vouchers. Corporate customers — including Volkswagen, RBS, NHS, Amazon, Marriott, Vodafone, and Mars — use the platform for employee training. The 2021 acquisition of Acacia Learning extended the group into apprenticeships, adding a work-based, employer-funded revenue stream alongside the self-paced consumer model.

Name

ICS Learn

Legal name

International Correspondence Schools Limited

Website

https://icslearn.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ICS Learn is a Glasgow-based private online distance learning provider delivering self-paced, accredited professional qualifications (CIPD, AAT, CMI, CIPS, BCS, PRINCE2) and A Level/GCSE programmes to roughly 21,000 individual learners across 100+ countries via its proprietary MyStudySpace platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Distance Learning

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Exam Prep Course Marketplaces (EDAFAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE), Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Assessments, Quizzes & Learning Analytics Tools (MPACALAK)

Keywords

• Online professional education
• Distance learning courses
• Accredited professional qualifications
• Career-focused training
• Self-paced online learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition Fees: One-time course fees for professional qualifications ranging from entry-level to advanced professional certifications. Payment options include upfront payment or interest-free monthly installment plans.
2. Course Extensions: Fees charged for extending study period beyond initial course duration. Extension fees range from £60 (1 month) to £500 (12 months) for CIPD courses.
3. Referral Incentives: Referral program where existing students earn Amazon vouchers (£50-£100) when friends enroll, creating customer acquisition through word-of-mouth.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ICS Learn is an online distance learning provider selling accredited professional qualifications and academic courses delivered entirely through its proprietary MyStudySpace learning management platform. Courses cover Human Resources (CIPD), Learning and Development (CIPD), Accountancy (AAT), Bookkeeping (AAT), Payroll (ICB/Sage), Leadership and Management (CMI/ILM), Procurement and Supply (CIPS), Project Management (PRINCE2), IT (BCS), A Levels, and GCSE/International GCSE. Programmes are self-paced, supported by expert tutors, and culminate in qualifications awarded by UK professional bodies.

Product overview

ICS Learn is an online distance learning organisation offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional qualifications and academic courses. The core offering consists of accredited professional qualifications across Human Resources (CIPD), Learning and Development (CIPD), Accountancy (AAT), Bookkeeping (AAT), Payroll (ICB/Sage), IT (BCS), Leadership and Management (CMI/ILM), Procurement and Supply (CIPS), and Project Management (PRINCE2), as well as A Level and GCSE/International GCSE secondary education programmes. The company operates primarily through its MyStudySpace learning management platform, which delivers course materials, facilitates assessment submissions, enables live sessions, and supports tutor communication. Students also have access to the Career Hub for career development resources. All programmes are 100% online and self-paced, with expert tutor support and accreditation from industry-leading awarding bodies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CIPD Human Resources Courses Online self-paced HR qualifications at Foundation (Level 3), Associate (Level 5), and Advanced (Level 7) levels, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Targeted at HR professionals seeking recognised credentials to advance their careers.
• CIPD Learning and Development Courses Online Learning and Development qualifications at Level 5 and Level 7, accredited by CIPD, covering organisational learning and development practice. Targeted at L&D professionals seeking chartered recognition.
• AAT Accountancy Courses Online accounting qualifications from entry-level (Level 2 Certificate) through to professional (Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting), accredited by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), including combined Level 2&3 and Level 3&4 pathways. Targeted at aspiring and practising accounting technicians.
• AAT Bookkeeping Courses Online bookkeeping qualifications from Award (Level 1) through Certificate (Level 3), accredited by AAT, including a combined Level 2&3 pathway. Targeted at individuals entering or progressing in bookkeeping roles.
• ICB and Sage Payroll Courses Online payroll administration and management qualifications at Level 2 (Certificate in Payroll Administration) and Level 3 (Diploma in Payroll Management), accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) with integrated Sage accounting software training. A combined Level 2&3 pathway is also offered. Targeted at payroll administrators and managers.
• A Level Courses Online full A Level qualifications across Business, Economics, English Language, English Literature, History, Law, Mathematics, Psychology, and Sociology, accredited by Pearson Edexcel and AQA. Targeted at students preparing for university entry or career requirements.
• GCSE and International GCSE Courses Online GCSE and International GCSE qualifications in Biology, English Language, English Literature, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Science, accredited by Pearson Edexcel and AQA. Targeted at students seeking secondary credentials for university admission or career requirements.
• BCS IT Courses Online IT professional Foundation Certificates in Business Analysis, Agile, and User Experience, accredited by BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT). Targeted at IT professionals and career changers entering IT roles.
• CMI and ILM Leadership and Management Courses Online leadership and management qualifications from Level 2 through Level 7, including CMI Level 5 and Level 7 Certificates and Diplomas in Management & Leadership and Strategic Management & Leadership Practice, plus ILM Level 2-5 Awards and Certificates in Leadership & Team Skills and Leadership & Management. Targeted at current and aspiring managers.
• CIPS Procurement and Supply Courses Online procurement and supply chain qualifications from CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply Operations, through Level 4 Diploma, to Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement & Supply. Targeted at procurement and supply chain professionals.
• PRINCE2 Project Management Courses Online PRINCE2 project management qualifications at Foundation, Practitioner, and Combined Foundation & Practitioner levels, accredited by AXELOS. Targeted at project managers and aspiring project management professionals.
• Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes combining work-based learning with professional qualifications, delivered via the MyStudySpace platform. Targeted at employers and individuals seeking funded work-based training pathways.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12% higher salary for HR professionals with CIPD qualification vs without
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIPD is the primary HR professional body in the UK. ICS Learn offers CIPD-accredited qualifications at Level 3, 5, and 7 in Human Resources and Learning & Development. Students must register with CIPD as part of their studies and obtain student membership.
• AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAT is the UK's leading professional body for accounting staff. ICS Learn offers AAT-accredited qualifications from Level 1 to Level 4 in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
• ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM is part of the City & Guilds Group, providing leadership and management qualifications. ICS Learn offers ILM Level 2, 3, and 5 awards and certificates in Leadership & Team Skills.
• CMI (Chartered Management Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMI is the chartered professional body for managers. ICS Learn offers CMI Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications in Management & Leadership and Strategic Management & Leadership Practice.
• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIPS is the leading professional body for procurement and supply chain professionals. ICS Learn offers CIPS Level 3, 4, and 5 qualifications in Procurement & Supply.
• PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRINCE2 is a de facto standard method for project management. ICS Learn offers PRINCE2 Foundation, Practitioner, and Combined qualifications.
• BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCS is the professional body for information technology. ICS Learn offers BCS Foundation Certificates in Business Analysis, Agile, and User Experience.
• ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICB is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. ICS Learn offers ICB Bookkeeping qualifications combined with Sage accounting software.
• TurnitincoreTechnology or IntegrationTurnitin plagiarism detection system is used for all assessment submissions to ensure academic integrity and detect AI-generated content.
• AQA and Pearson EdexcelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarding bodies for A Level and GCSE qualifications. ICS Learn offers A Levels in Business, Economics, English, History, Law, Mathematics, Psychology, and Sociology. GCSE offerings include Biology, English, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Science.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Open Study College: UK online learning platform offering AAT, CIPD, CMI, ILM and other accredited professional courses with flexible payment plans. Closely mirrors ICS Learn's product portfolio, GTM motion, and target customer base.
• Acacia Learning: UK distance learning provider focused on AAT, ACCA, and bookkeeping qualifications that was acquired by ICS Learn in 2021. Direct in-product and customer overlap; relevant for understanding the acquired asset's prior positioning.
• Avado: UK-based professional online learning provider focused on CIPD, CIMA, ACCA, and apprenticeships. Directly comparable product portfolio and target audience, with strong apprenticeship programme presence overlapping ICS Learn's offering.
• Distance Learning Centre: UK-based online distance learning provider offering accredited professional qualifications (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CIPD) and academic courses. Directly comparable as a same-geography, same-category competitor targeting career-focused professionals with self-paced study.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Global MOOC platform offering university-issued professional certificates and credentials from institutions like Google, IBM, and top universities. An emerging threat in online professional upskilling with substantially greater scale and brand reach than ICS Learn.
• MindCentre / Mind Tools: Online management and leadership training platform serving individual professionals and corporate L&D buyers. Comparable audience (mid-career professionals and employers) with a different delivery model (subscription vs. accredited qualifications).

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan UK: Established UK and international education provider offering professional accountancy (ACCA, CIMA), financial, and compliance training via online and in-person formats. A larger incumbent that competes on many of the same UK professional qualifications.
• BPP University: Major UK professional education group offering accountancy, law, management, and healthcare qualifications with strong online delivery. Competes with ICS Learn in professional certification categories but operates at significantly greater scale.
• LinkedIn Learning: Subscription-based online learning platform integrated with LinkedIn's professional network. Competes for the same career-advancement budget and corporate L&D spend, often at much lower price points via enterprise subscriptions.

Regional players

• FutureLearn: UK-based online course platform (owned by Global University Systems) offering short courses, microcredentials, and degree pathways from UK and international universities. Adjacent competitor in the UK online professional learning space with a different content model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICSLearn
• Facebookfacebook.com/ICSLearn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICS Learn