Why credibility matters when choosing an online degree
With more people choosing to study online, and more providers offering the option to study an online degree, asking whether an education provider is legitimate is a smart move. This guide will help you understand what to look for in a credible online provider.
What to look for in a credible online education institution
In the age of digital learning, it's easier than ever to access education. Online degrees offer the flexibility to study around work, home, and life – making it possible to learn in a way that suits you. But choosing where to study online is all about trust. You're choosing a provider based on the promises they make, the information they share, and how well they can support you from a distance. So, here's what you should look out for:
Transparent course information
A credible provider will make it easy to find details about course content, duration, tuition fees, and what’s expected of you as a student. Look for specifics, not vague descriptions. At Walbrook, for example, each programme page outlines modules, assessments, and skills you’ll gain before you apply. You’ll find no hidden surprises with us.
Accessible student support
Support shouldn’t disappear once you’ve enrolled. You should be able to access the right people when you need them, whether through email, phone, workshops, or webinars. At Walbrook, our support teams are available to help you with admissions, wellbeing and career planning, whether you’re in London or learning from your kitchen table.
Flexibility without losing structure
The best online degrees balance flexibility with clear deadlines and guidance. This allows you to fit study around your life while still making steady progress. At Walbrook, we structure our degrees into short, focused modules so you can plan your time effectively. You can learn from anywhere, when it suits you, while still being part of a structured, guided learning experience.
Career-Focused Learning
Credible providers design their courses to be relevant beyond the classroom. Look for degrees that build practical skills, offer industry-aligned content, and help you present your strengths to employers – whether through projects, portfolios, or career services. Everything we offer at Walbrook is designed to help you apply your learning in the real world, from workplace-relevant skills to confidence in interviews.
Is Walbrook Institute London legitimate?
The short answer is yes – Walbrook Institute London is a legitimate, UK-based provider of online higher education.
Regulated by the UK Office for Students (OfS)
We’re officially registered with the Office for Students (OfS), which regulates higher education providers in England. You can see our listing here.
Backed by 145+ years’ experience
Walbrook was founded in London in 1879. Previously known as LIBF (The London Institute of Banking & Finance), we’ve always focused on practical education that helps people build real careers.
Trusted for industry-relevant education
Our online degrees and professional qualifications are built around real-world career needs – from leadership and AI to banking and finance. We work with industry experts to shape content that helps students progress in fast-changing sectors.
Designed for flexibility, built for impact
While many of our degrees are delivered online, we have a campus in the heart London, where our on-campus students study from and selected careers events take place. Our location places us at the heart of Tech City and the City of London, keeping us closely connected to the UK’s financial and tech economies.
Led by experts you can trust
Our team is made up of real people – from industry-experienced lecturers to dedicated support staff and student advisors. Everyone at Walbrook is here to help you succeed, both academically and professionally. You’ll get to meet many of us through live webinars, student events, and our blog – so you can feel confident about who’s supporting your journey.
There are real people behind our company, and you can meet some of them over on our social channels.
Trusted by learners in 130+ countries
With over 1.5 million learners in 130+ countries, Walbrook is helping students worldwide build skills, gain qualifications, and transform their careers. Our programmes are built to support real career progression – whether you’re aiming for a promotion, a career change, or stronger job prospects. We rank 12th in the UK for career outcomes (ahead of the majority of Russell Group universities) and our focus on flexibility means you can build your future without putting your current role on pause.
We’re not trying to be traditional. We’re building something flexible, future-focused, and designed for modern learners.
Studying at Walbrook Institute London was genuinely one of the most impactful parts of my journey so far. All of our lecturers had worked in the industry, which made a huge difference – they brought real-life experience, offering insights and practical advice.
Djulia Ciochina
Walbrook Graduate
Why Walbrook Institute London is a reputable online degree provider
If you’re comparing providers, here’s how Walbrook measures up against the key signs of a reputable online education institution – and where you can find more information.
What to look for | How Walbrook does this |
|---|---|
Registration with a UK higher education regulator (like OfS) | Walbrook Institute London is registered with the Office for Students, the independent regulator for higher education in England. See our OfS listing |
Clear tuition fees and structure | Our tuition fees are transparent, with no hidden costs. You can choose to pay for your degree module by module, or in full before you start. Learn more about our fees |
Transparent course content | Every programme page clearly outlines the modules you’ll study, how you’ll be assessed, and the skills you’ll gain. Explore our courses |
Accessible student support | From admissions to careers and wellbeing, our support teams are available online, and in person if you're studying an on-campus course. Discover our student support |
Real student stories and visible staff | You can meet our staff, students, and graduates through our social channels, webinars, and blog. We believe in showing the people behind Walbrook. Book a webinar |
A campus you can visit | We have a campus in central London for our on-campus courses. Online degree students can attend selected events here – such as careers events. See our London campus |
Walbrook is an incredible place to study. I thoroughly enjoyed my time studying right in the heart of London. The exposure available to help you make that first step in your career is amazing, ranging from the advice and guidance of the careers staff to the breadth of expertise provided by the lecturers. With an excellent campus in the heart of London you really do feel so close to the industries you’re studying for.
Nathan Elmer
Walbrook student
Quick tips for spotting a potential scam provider
No record on an official regulator’s website – in the UK, that’s the Office for Students.
Vague or missing course details and costs – if you can’t see exactly what you’ll study and how much you’ll pay, think twice.
No clear contact information or physical address – if there’s no way to confirm the provider has real people you can speak to, be cautious.
Promises of “guaranteed” degrees or jobs – credible providers will never guarantee outcomes.
No formal admissions process – if you can “enrol instantly” without meeting any entry requirements, proceed with caution.
Questions to ask before you choose any provider
We encourage every prospective student to ask questions. No question is silly!
If you need some ideas for which questions to ask, here are some that you should ask every provider you enquire with:
Is this institution registered in the UK?
What support will I receive while I study?
Are the course outcomes clear and useful?
Can I speak to someone before enrolling?
Are there verified student reviews?
At Walbrook, the answer to all five is yes.
You’re right to ask questions, and we’re here to help
If you’ve come here by searching “Is Walbrook Institute London legitimate?” or “Is Walbrook worth it?”, then we’re glad you did! Choosing where to study, especially online, can feel a bit overwhelming. And when you're investing your time, money, and future, you deserve clear answers.
We don’t expect blind trust. Instead, we’re committed to earning your trust by being clear, supportive, and focused on real outcomes.
Still have questions? Let’s talk. We’re here to help you make the right choice for your future:
Fill out our request for information form below and we’ll be in touch.
Call us directly on 02039 364 055 to speak with a member of our team.
Email us at onlinedegree@walbrook.ac.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Join a webinar where you can meet the teams behind Walbrook and learn about our degrees.
If you're considering one of our online degrees, enter your details, including a valid phone number, and we’ll call to tell you more about the programme you’re interested in.