www.edexcel.org.uk

Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), the country’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, and the University of London Examinations & Assessment Council (ULEAC), one of the major exam boards for GCSEs and A levels.

The history of these separate bodies can be traced back to 1836 when a royal charter gave the University of London limited functions of conducting exams and conferring degrees. The University introduced school exams in 1905.

In 1951, the General Certificate of Education (GCE) was introduced and the University Entrance & School Examinations Council took over the responsibilities of the Matriculation & School Examinations Council, which had been set up in 1930. This was then replaced by the University of London School Examinations Board (ULSEB), which was then succeeded by ULEAC – known as London Examinations - in 1991.

Throughout this period, vocational qualifications were also developing. In 1973, the Technician Education Council (TEC) was created to unify technical education, eventually taking over the validation of courses in further and higher education. These courses led to Ordinary National Diplomas (ONDs) and Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNC/Ds), which were previously the responsibility of professional bodies.

In 1974, the Business Education Council (BEC) was established. This had a remit to rationalize and improve the relevance of sub-degree vocational education in FE and HE colleges and in Polytechnics. Within 18 months, BEC took over responsibility for ONCs, ONDs, HNCs, HNDs and other qualifications.

BEC merged with TEC in 1984 to form the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC). This then merged with London Examinations in 1996 to form Edexcel.

The name ‘Edexcel’ was originally derived from ‘educational excellence’ and the business has grown considerably over the last eight years. The Edexcel Foundation, which ran the organization, was a charity, managed by board of trustees.

In 1998 we acquired the Institute of Health Care & Development (IHCD), in order to grow business in the health care industry. In June 2001, we acquired the awarding body, intelect to grow business in the telecomms and call-handling industry.

In June 2003 the Edexcel Foundation entered into a partnership arrangement with Pearson PLC, the biggest educational services company in the world, to set up a new company called London Qualifications Ltd, which traded as Edexcel. The new company was 75% owned by Pearson and 25% by the Edexcel Foundation. All of the business activities and staff transferred to London Qualifications, which became a subsidiary of Pearson.

The latest chapter in the story began in November 2004, when the Edexcel Foundation changed its name to Edge, and London Qualifications Ltd became Edexcel Ltd, ensuring clarity in all future communications with our customers, partners and suppliers.