Acacia Learning
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1892
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Acacia Learning does
Acacia Learning operates as ICS Learn, a UK-headquartered online distance learning provider incorporated in Scotland as International Correspondence Schools Limited. It sells self-paced, accredited professional and academic qualifications across 11 categories — Human Resources (CIPD), Learning & Development, Accountancy (AAT), Bookkeeping, Payroll (ICB and Sage), A Levels and GCSEs (Pearson Edexcel and AQA), Digital Transformation (BCS), Leadership & Management (CMI and ILM), Procurement & Supply (CIPS), and Project Management (PRINCE2) — with course delivery handled through its proprietary MyStudySpace learning management system. The business was founded in 1892 and currently serves over 21,000 students across 100+ countries, holding Financial Conduct Authority authorisation (FRN 726654) for regulated consumer credit activity.
Revenue is generated through one-time course enrollment fees combined with interest-free monthly payment plans that convert upfront purchases into recurring subscription-style cash flows. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the ICS Learn website, supported by an advisor-led contact centre that handles phone and email enquiries across course selection and enrollment. The company also operates a corporate training and apprenticeships vertical that monetises the same accreditation portfolio to enterprise and public-sector buyers, with named reference customers including NHS, Amazon, Vodafone, RBS, Marriott, Volkswagen, and Mars. The underlying technology stack is a standard LMS-centric online education platform rather than an AI-native product, and the strategic moat rests on brand longevity, accreditation partnerships, and catalogue breadth rather than proprietary technology differentiation.
Acacia Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Acacia Learning
- Legal name
- International Correspondence Schools Limited
- Website
- https://acacialearning.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1892
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Acacia Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Professional and Academic Distance Learning
- NAICS
- Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- MOOC & Open Course Platforms (EDAFAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Learning Experience Marketplaces (Workshops, Mentorships, Projects) (EDAFAIAL), Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)
Keywords
Where Acacia Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Acacia Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Course Enrollment Fees: Revenue generated from individual course enrollments and qualification programs. Students pay for access to learning materials, tutor support, and certification exams for accredited qualifications including CIPD, AAT, ICB, BCS, CMI, ILM, CIPS, and PRINCE2 courses.
- Interest-Free Payment Plans: Affordable monthly payment options at no extra cost, enabling higher enrollment conversion and making courses accessible to a broader audience while providing steady recurring revenue stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plans |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Acacia Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Acacia Learning (operating as ICS Learn) is an online distance learning provider selling accredited professional and academic qualifications to individual learners and corporate clients. Courses span 11 subject areas including HR (CIPD), accounting (AAT), payroll (ICB/Sage), digital transformation (BCS), leadership (CMI/ILM), procurement (CIPS), and project management (PRINCE2), delivered via the proprietary MyStudySpace learning management system with expert tutor support and interest-free monthly payment plans.
Product overview
ICS Learn operates as an online learning platform offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional and academic qualifications. The platform provides accredited courses across 11 major categories: Human Resources (CIPD), Learning and Development, Accountancy (AAT), Bookkeeping, Payroll (ICB/Sage), A Levels, GCSE and International GCSE, Digital Transformation (BCS), Leadership and Management (CMI/ILM), Procurement and Supply (CIPS), and Project Management (PRINCE2). Supporting infrastructure includes apprenticeships, business training services, a Career Hub for career guidance, and the MyStudySpace learning management system. The platform is built on 130+ years of distance learning experience, serving over 21,000 current students across 100+ countries with expert tutor support, self-paced study options, and interest-free payment plans.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Human Resources (CIPD) Courses CIPD-accredited professional qualifications in human resources covering foundation, associate, and advanced strategic people management programmes for HR professionals and aspiring practitioners.
- Learning and Development (CIPD) Courses CIPD-accredited qualifications in learning and development including associate diplomas and advanced strategic learning and development programmes for L&D professionals.
- Accountancy (AAT) Courses AAT-accredited accounting qualifications spanning Level 2 Certificate in Accounting through Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting, with combined courses available, for aspiring and existing accountants.
- Bookkeeping (AAT) Courses AAT-accredited bookkeeping qualifications from Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping through Level 3 Certificate, with combined Level 2 and 3 certificates, for aspiring bookkeepers.
- Payroll (ICB and Sage) Courses ICB and Sage-accredited payroll qualifications at Levels 2 and 3, including combined courses in payroll administration and management, for aspiring payroll professionals.
- A Levels (Pearson Edexcel and AQA) Pearson Edexcel and AQA-accredited A Level qualifications in Business, Economics, English Language, English Literature, History, Law, Mathematics, Psychology, and Sociology for students preparing for university or career progression.
- GCSE and International GCSE Courses GCSE and International GCSE qualifications in English Literature, Mathematics, Psychology, Biology, English Language, Human Biology, Physics, and Science for secondary-level learners.
- Digital Transformation (BCS) Courses BCS-accredited qualifications in business analysis, agile methodology, user experience, information security management, and artificial intelligence (Essentials and Foundation certificates) for digital and IT professionals.
- Leadership and Management (CMI and ILM) Courses CMI and ILM-accredited leadership and management qualifications ranging from Level 2 through Level 7, including Awards, Certificates and Diplomas in Management & Leadership and Strategic Management & Leadership Practice, for current and aspiring managers.
- Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Courses CIPS-accredited procurement and supply qualifications at Levels 3, 4, and 5, including Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma programmes for procurement professionals.
- Project Management (PRINCE2) Courses PRINCE2-accredited project management qualifications including Foundation, Practitioner, and combined Foundation & Practitioner courses for current and aspiring project managers.
- Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes offering vocational training and accredited qualifications across various professional disciplines for individuals and corporate employers.
- Business Training Corporate training solutions and professional development programmes for businesses seeking to develop their workforce through accredited online qualifications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 21,000+ current students
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Acacia Learning
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Acacia Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Acacia Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)coreAccreditation partnership for HR and Learning & Development qualifications including Level 3 Foundation Certificate, Level 5 Associate Diploma, and Level 7 Advanced Diploma programs in People Management and Strategic Learning & Development
- AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)coreAccreditation partnership for accounting qualifications ranging from Level 2 Certificate to Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting, including combined courses
- ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers)coreAccreditation partnership for payroll and bookkeeping qualifications including Level 1-3 certificates, combined courses, and ICB & Sage integrated programs
- SagecoreTechnology integration partnership for payroll qualifications combining ICB and Sage certified training at Levels 2 and 3
- Pearson EdexcelcoreAccreditation partnership for A Level qualifications including Business, Economics, English Language, English Literature, History, Law, Mathematics, Psychology, and Sociology
- AQAcoreAccreditation partnership for A Level qualifications offering additional subject options for students
- BCScoreAccreditation partnership for Digital Transformation and IT qualifications including BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis, Agile Foundation, UX Foundation, Information Security Management, and AI certificates (Essentials and Foundation)
- CMI (Chartered Management Institute)coreAccreditation partnership for Leadership and Management qualifications at Level 5 and Level 7, including Certificates and Diplomas in Management & Leadership and Strategic Management & Leadership Practice
- ILMcoreAccreditation partnership for Leadership and Management qualifications at Levels 2-5 including Awards and Certificates in Leadership & Team Skills and Leadership & Management
- CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply)coreAccreditation partnership for Procurement and Supply qualifications at Levels 3-5 including Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma programs
- PRINCE2coreAccreditation partnership for Project Management qualifications including PRINCE2 Foundation, Practitioner, and combined Foundation & Practitioner courses
Scale indicators4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Acacia Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Open Study College: UK-based distance learning provider offering accredited professional qualifications online with payment plans, closely matching ICS Learn's model and learner demographics.
- e-Careers: UK professional training provider focused on accredited IT, project management (including PRINCE2) and business courses delivered online with flexible payment options.
- Pitman Training: Long-standing UK vocational and professional training brand offering accredited business, accountancy and office-skills courses, with similar self-paced and advisor-led delivery.
- NCC Home Learning: UK home study provider with a comparable catalogue of accredited professional and vocational qualifications delivered online with tutor support.
- Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Long-established UK distance learning college offering accredited courses across HR, management, accounting and similar verticals to a comparable learner audience.
- Kaplan UK: Major UK professional education provider offering accredited qualifications, apprenticeships and corporate training across accounting, financial services and management — a larger-scale comparable.
- Home Learning College: UK distance learning specialist offering accredited professional qualifications with payment plans, targeting similar career-advancement and vocational learners.
- BPP Online: UK-based professional education provider with strong online and apprenticeship offerings in accounting, management and law — directly competitive with ICS Learn's accredited portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Coursera: Global MOOC and accredited learning platform that increasingly partners directly with professional bodies (e.g. CIPD-aligned content), representing a much larger incumbent competitor for ICS Learn's learners.
Emerging players
- Reed Courses: UK course marketplace aggregating professional training providers, including accredited qualifications — overlapping with ICS Learn's catalog and competing for the same DTC learner funnel.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Acacia Learning social profiles
Digital presenceAcacia Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Acacia Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Acacia Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Acacia Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Acacia Learning
What does Acacia Learning do?
Acacia Learning (operating as ICS Learn) is an online distance learning provider selling accredited professional and academic qualifications to individual learners and corporate clients. Courses span 11 subject areas including HR (CIPD), accounting (AAT), payroll (ICB/Sage), digital transformation (BCS), leadership (CMI/ILM), procurement (CIPS), and project management (PRINCE2), delivered via the proprietary MyStudySpace learning management system with expert tutor support and interest-free monthly payment plans.
Is Acacia Learning a public or private company?
Acacia Learning is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Acacia Learning founded?
Acacia Learning was founded in 1892. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Acacia Learning based?
Acacia Learning is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Acacia Learning make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Course Enrollment Fees are the primary driver. The others are interest-Free Payment Plans.
Who are Acacia Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Open Study College, e-Careers, Pitman Training, NCC Home Learning, Stonebridge Associated Colleges, Kaplan UK, Home Learning College and BPP Online. Coursera is listed as a broad incumbent. Reed Courses is listed as an emerging player.
Does Acacia Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Acacia Learning.
What industry is Acacia Learning in?
Acacia Learning's product category is Online Professional and Academic Distance Learning. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAIAA, MOOC & Open Course Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAFAIAL, Learning Experience Marketplaces (Workshops, Mentorships, Projects). Its NAICS code is 6114 and its SIC code is 8200.