Updated October 1, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
Centre of Excellence vs NFPT
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Centre of Excellence |  NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £0 | $299 |
| Money-back period | 14 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Platform type | Subscription | Curated |
| Number of courses | from 1,000 | 86 |
| Price per month | £16 | Not confirmed |
| Price per year | £192 | Not confirmed |
| Certificate fee | £25 | Not confirmed |
| Access period | Not confirmed | 12 months |
| Offline downloads | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Team plan | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Markets | GB, IM, JE, GG, IE, AT, BE, BG, HR, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IT, LV, LT, LU, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, NO, CH, IS, GI, CA, US, HK, AU, AL, JP, NZ, AE | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free tier (Yes), Graded assessments (Yes).
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Key differences
- Centre of Excellence scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Money-back period is higher at NFPT: 30 days vs 14 days.
- Support channels: only Centre of Excellence offers Chat, Community.
- Support channels: only NFPT offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at NFPT: 1988 vs 2012.
- Subjects: only Centre of Excellence offers Creative, Humanities, Languages.
- Certificate types: only Centre of Excellence offers Completion.
- Certificate types: only NFPT offers Professional.
Our verdict on each
Centre of Excellence
Centre of Excellence suits readers who want a broad catalogue of CPD accredited courses at a modest monthly figure. Grow Access All costs £16 a month on annual billing, so the year works out at £192 and the printed certificate is a separate extra.
NFPT
NFPT suits aspiring fitness trainers who want an accredited credential they can earn at home, and the entry route costs $299 as a one-off payment rather than a subscription. Recertification falls due every 1 year, which makes the credential a running cost for working trainers and a heavier commitment than casual learners need.
Score breakdown
| Area | Centre of Excellence | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherEntry sits at £16 a month, with £192 taken at the start of the year. | 8.9Entry at $299 is a one-off payment, but renewal every 1 year and a 46 place out of 87 on price keep it mid table. |
| Offer | 9.1HigherMore than at least 1,000 courses, a team plan and downloadable audio give breadth and flexibility. | 9.0A 12 months access window, 8 to 12 weeks to completion and 86 courses give room to study and then specialise. |
| Trust | 8.9Founded 2012, sold by CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ONLINE LIMITED in the United Kingdom, with refunds allowed within 14 days. | 9.4HigherNCCA accreditation, a 30 days refund promise and 1988 of operating history under the National Federation of Professional Trainers. |
If neither fits
Fiszki has money-back period at 60 days, against 14 days for Centre of Excellence and 30 days for NFPT.
Fiszki reviewHow they place
| Ranking | Centre of Excellence | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Online course platforms | 82 of 269 | 97 of 269 |
| Fitness, IT and coaching certifications | 11 of 48 | 14 of 48 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Centre of Excellence | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Business, Creative, Humanities, Languages, ScienceCovers more | Business |
| Certificate types | Completion | Professional |
| Credit recognition | Cpd | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ONLINE LIMITED | National Federation of Professional Trainers |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 2012 | 1988Lower |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Community | Email, Phone |
Certifications
| Fact | Centre of Excellence | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Certification type | Coaching | Fitness |
| Course hours | 150 hours | Not confirmed |
| Accreditation | Not confirmed | Ncca |
| Exam fee included | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Tutor support | Yes | Yes |
| Job support | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Typical completion time (weeks) | Not confirmed | 8 to 12 |
| Recertification period | Not confirmed | 1 year |
| Delivery | Online | Online, In personCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Centre of Excellence | NFPT | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | £16at the median | Not confirmed | £16 |
| Price per year | £192highest quarter | Not confirmed | £59.99 |
| Certificate fee | £25highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Money-back period | 14 daysat the median | 30 daysabove the median | 14 days |
| Number of courses | from 1,000above the median | 86below the median | 240 |
| Access period | Not confirmed | 12 monthsat the median | 12 months |
Median across 169 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Centre of Excellence
Pros
- Grow Access All membership costs £16 a month, billed as £192 for the year.
- Tutor support runs in real time, and audio courses can be downloaded for listening away from a connection.
- A free course comes with sign-up, and a team plan is available for organisations buying for staff.
Cons
- Grow Access All is billed as £192 for the year, so joining means committing to the full year rather than a rolling month.
- A professionally printed certificate costs £25 plus postage, which is extra on top of the membership.
- Refunds on digital and audio courses are limited to 14 days, so browse before you buy.
NFPT
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the price, so the quoted figure covers the assessment rather than adding a separate exam charge at sign up.
- Tutor support and job support both come with the credential, so study help and steps toward work sit in the same plan.
- Delivery is listed as online and in person, so a candidate can qualify without travelling to a fixed test centre.
Cons
- Recertification falls due every 1 year, so holding a current credential means a repeat payment on a short cycle.
- Support runs on email and phone, so there is no live chat or self service help centre between sessions.
- The entry price of $299 places the brand at 46 of 87 on price, above many cheaper certification routes.
Who each suits
Centre of Excellence
Who it suits
- Readers who want flexible study across a desktop, tablet or mobile.
- Learners who want a membership covering many subjects in one payment.
- Organisations that want a team plan for staff learning.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants to pay month to month and stop whenever, since Grow Access All bills £192 for the year.
- Buyers who expect a printed certificate in the course price, since printing one costs £25 plus postage.
- People who want long essay writing, since assessment uses short answers, long answers and multiple choice.
NFPT
Who it suits
- Learners who want a fitness credential finished inside a set window, with the exam fee already covered by the enrolment price.
- Career changers moving into personal training who want job support alongside the study material.
- Buyers who prefer a single payment to a monthly subscription and can plan for a recertification payment every 1 year.
Who should look elsewhere
- Marisa Peer is the pick for a coaching credential, where NFPT's fitness focus is the whole difference.
- CrackCerts suits a it certification track rather than a fitness credential.
- Testprep Training also sits in it, so it makes more sense for technology exam preparation.
Current offers
Centre of Excellence
Current offer
Bonus
27 free Random Act of Kindness courses: 27 courses listed at £0.00
Pay it forward: share a Random Act of Kindness course with three or more people and wait until three of them sign up to unlock the course for yourself
Source, checked October 1, 2026
Questions about each
Centre of Excellence
How much does a Centre of Excellence course cost?+
The paid route in is the Grow Access All membership, shown at £16 a month with £192 for the year. That monthly figure is a way of presenting the annual sum, so the charge is the full £192 when you join rather than a smaller sum at the start.
Is there a free option before paying?+
Yes. Signing up brings a free diploma course, which is a quick way to see how the material is written before you commit to the £192 annual membership. The paid membership adds the wider course list and the audio library.
NFPT
How much does NFPT cost to start, and is the exam charge extra?+
The entry price is $299, and the exam fee is included, so the figure quoted at enrollment covers the assessment rather than adding a separate exam charge on top. A 30 days refund window also applies, which is longer than the 7-day typical window in this category.
How long does it take to finish the certification?+
Most learners move through the material in 8 to 12 weeks, and course access runs for 12 months from enrollment. That gives room for study around work, though the window is fixed rather than open ended, so a slower pace means choosing the start date carefully.
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