e-Learning FAQ’s

Access to the learning system/Access to content

1. I want to know more about a course. Where can I find further information?

The NPL Training page offers all the information you will need before starting our courses (including: course content, format, assessment, audience, etc.).

2. How do I access a course?

To access your course, you will need to create your account within our e-learning system. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Visit https://elearning.npl.co.uk and click ‘Create new account’
  2. Review and accept the NPL Privacy and Cookie policies
  3. An e-mail will be immediately sent to your e-mail address (if you don’t receive it after a few minutes, please check your e-mail’s spam/junk folder)
  4. Open the email, and click on the web link it contains
  5. Your account is now confirmed and you can log in at https://elearning.npl.co.uk
  6. Select the course you want to access
  7. Follow the instructions and proceed with the payment (if applicable)
  8. You can access your chosen course immediately after payment. The course will then be available for the period defined on the website, starting from the course’s fee payment date

3. I haven't received an email from NPL e-learning after registering. Am I doing something wrong?

If you do not receive an e-mail a few minutes after registering, please check your e-mail’s spam/junk folder. If you still have not received your confirmation email, contact us to have the confirmation email resent to you.

4. Do I need to re-register to NPL learning system for each course?

No — the initial registration process for the NPL e-learning system is only required the first time you access our online learning system. Once registered, you can immediately enrol on different courses.

5. Can I sign up for more than one course at the same time?

Yes — once you are registered in the NPL e-learning system, you can enrol in multiple courses.

6. What do I do if I forget my login details?

To automatically retrieve your login details, simply follow these steps:

  1. Access NPL e-Learning page
  2. Click on “Forgotten your username or password?
  3. Submit your username or your email address
  4. An email will be sent to you with instructions on how to proceed

Note: This process will reset your password.

7. What are the minimum system requirements to access NPL e-learning?

If you can watch videos on YouTube or other major video sites, you should have the minimum requirements to run our courses.

The minimum system requirements to access NPL e-learning are as follows:

  1. Supported operating systems (OS):

    We aim to support all major operating systems.

  2. Minimum Internet connection speed:

    The minimum Internet connection speed required is 500+ Kbps of
    download speed. However, we recommend 2+ Mbps of download speed
    for a fluid HD video experience (some devices may not fully
    support this format).

  3. Supported browsers:

    Our courses are best viewed on the following browsers:

    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Safari

8. I am having trouble accessing the online course. What can I do?

Please read the answers to questions No. 2 (registration), 6 (retrieval of login details) and 7 (system requirements). If the problem persists, please contact us and describe your problem by mentioning any relevant details.

9. Can I access NPL e-learning using a mobile device (tablet and/or smartphone)?

Yes — if you can watch videos on YouTube or any other major video site with your device, you should have the minimum system requirements to run our courses. To know more about this topic, please see question No. 7 (system requirements).

10. What should I do when I have a problem?

If you have a problem (either technical or non-technical), please use these FAQs to look for an answer. If your problem is not listed, please contact us and describe your problem.

Payment/Licensing

11. How do I pay? Is it secure?

Our courses are accessible through the NPL Training page which uses the automated PayPal payment service. PayPal is a secure global e-commerce service allowing payments to be made online. This automated service will allow you to purchase individual licences from within our learning system, automatically enrolling you on the selected course. To enquire about other payment methods, or multiple licences, please contact us.

12. Which currencies are accepted?

We accept payments in multiple currencies. Although the prices shown on the NPL Training page are in British Pound Sterling, you will be informed of the course fee in your desired currency before proceeding with the payment.

13. What is the NPL privacy policy?

Our privacy policy is compliant with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any third parties.

14. What am I paying for? Will my subscription automatically renew?

The prices referenced within the NPL Training page /system indicate the full price per licence (exclusive of VAT and /or any other applicable charges). There are no hidden fees or automatic renewals. After the licence’s expiry date, you will no longer be able to access the course.

15. What does a valid licence mean?

When paying for a course, you are purchasing a single licence, valid for the period defined on the NPL Training page (e.g. 60 days). This means that you will be automatically enrolled and able to access this course’s content for that period (licence’s time-frame).

Note: Your payment will automatically activate the licence and set the starting date for the course you have selected.

16. What does a valid licence cover?

Each licence (valid for a period as defined on the NPL Training page) usually covers:

  1. Unlimited video streaming of self-paced video lessons
  2. Unlimited access to self-assessment questions
  3. One attempt per formal assessment — usually there are multiple sets of formal questions
  4. Unlimited video streaming of additional selected videos
  5. Unlimited access to a selection of links
  6. Unlimited access to printable lesson slides

Note: After the licence’s expiry date, you will no longer be able to access the course (to which the licence applies), nor its content.

17. If I don't access the course within the period covered by my licence can I request an extension?

Yes — please contact us and state the reasons preventing you from accessing the course. We will then check if you are eligible for a licence extension.

18. If I only access a small part of the course and my licence expires, can I ask for an extension?

No — in order for NPL to manage learner volumes, we encourage you to complete the course and download your certificate within the valid licence’s time-frame (e.g. 30 days).

19. I would like to purchase multiple licences, how can I do this?

Creating a volume licensing request is easy. Please contact us and let us know about your requirements. We will do our best to reply within one business day.

20. Is there a discount for bulk purchases?

Yes — please contact us and let us know your requirements. We will do our best to reply within one business day

21. Can I pay by company purchase order?

Yes — we accept purchase orders for a minimum of four licences per request.

22. My licence has expired. Do I need to re-register to access the NPL e-learning system?

No — you only have to register once. If your licence has expired and you have not accessed the course, please contact us and state the reasons preventing you from accessing it. We will then check if you are eligible for a licence extension.

23. Can I cancel my licence and get a refund?

Cancellation requests should be notified in writing. You will be eligible for a refund if you have not accessed the content, and if the licence you are cancelling is still valid. If this is the case, you will be entitled to a full refund (less a 12 % administration fee). Please read carefully our NPL e-learning Terms and Conditions, contact us and let us know about your request.

Self-paced learning

24. When can I start my e-learning course?

Once you have created your account and paid for a course, you have been automatically enrolled and can start your course immediately. Additionally, and if within the period as defined on the NPL Training page (e.g. 30 days), a course can be accessed at any time.

Note: Your payment will automatically activate the licence and set its starting date.

25. After starting a course how much time do I have to finish it?

The course will be accessible for a period as defined on the NPL Training page (e.g. 30 days), starting from the course enrolment / payment date.

Assessment/Grading

26. How am I assessed?

In our e-learning courses, assessments are completed online. Assessments usually take place after each module, or as a final assessment at the end of the course. In cases where end-of-module assessments are used, each one of these sets of questions will grade your knowledge and understanding regarding a particular module.

For example, if a course has four formal sets of questions, the final grade will be an average of each of the grades attained:

  1. Module I: Final Assessment (maximum score equivalent to 25 % of the overall grade)
  2. Module II: Final Assessment (maximum score equivalent to 25 % of the overall grade)
  3. Module III: Final Assessment (maximum score equivalent to 25 % of the overall grade)
  4. Module IV: Final Assessment (maximum score equivalent to 25 % of the overall grade)

27. Does the time I take to complete the course affect my final grade?

No — the time taken to finish a course won’t be considered for grading purposes.

28. What are self-assessment questions?

Some courses provide self-assessment questions to allow you to test your knowledge and understanding of a particular module. If you are unable to answer any of the questions, you are able to revisit the content and try to answer them again.

29. What's the difference between self-assessment and formal assessment?

The self-assessment questions enable you to test your knowledge and understanding regarding a particular module. You are able to revisit these questions multiple times until you get them right. The formal assessment questions enable us to grade your knowledge and understanding regarding a particular module. You can only attempt each formal assessment once.

Note: Only learners achieving a final overall grade of 50 % (or greater) will be awarded with an NPL certificate of completion.

30. Do the self-assessment questions affect my final grade?

No — the self-assessment questions enable you to test your knowledge and understanding regarding a particular module, and therefore no grade is given. For self-assessments, you are able to revisit these types of questions multiple times.

31. Can I take the formal assessment questions more than once?

No — each set of formal assessment questions is only assessable once. This will grade your level of knowledge on a particular module. Learners achieving a final overall grade of 50 % (or over) will be awarded with an NPL certificate of completion.

Certification

32. Do I get a certificate on completion of the training?

Yes — for our certified courses, you will receive a completion certificate if you successfully complete your course with the final overall grade of 50 % (or greater). Once you have completed a course, you will be able to print your NPL Certificate.

33. What grade do I need to achieve to qualify for an NPL Certificate?

For our certified courses, you will need a final overall grade of 50% (or greater) to achieve an NPL certificate.

34. Will there be an additional charge when requesting an NPL certificate?

No — NPL certificates are included in the price of the certified courses. Nevertheless, you will be responsible for printing your completion certificate within a valid licence’s time-frame (e.g. 60 days).

35. I want to print my certificate, but my licence has expired. How shall I proceed?

Did you complete your course with the final overall grade of 50% (or greater)? If so, please contact us. Let us know about your request and don’t forget to indicate the e-mail used to register your account.

36. Will my scores be reported to my manager/employer/supervisor?

This depends on your company’s policy. If requested, we can provide special access details allowing companies to monitor an employee’s progress. This functionality can be used as a constructive tool to help you overcome problems and engage in meaningful learning.

37. What is NPL?

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK’s National Measurement Institute and is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, science and technology, and has a track record of delivering on-site measurement training with real business impact. NPL is passionate about disseminating knowledge and increasing global measurement skills and competence.