Edexcel, formally known as Pearson Edexcel – London Examinations is a multinational education and examination body. Edexcel, the only privately owned examination board in the UK and part of Pearson PLC is a portmanteau term combining the words Education & Excellence. Edexcel is the UK’s largest awarding organisation offering academic and vocational qualifications in schools, colleges and work places in the UK and abroad. The British curriculum offered by the Edexcel International board is among the most taught at International Schools along with the curricula offered by Cambridge International Examinations and, the most dominant educational exam board in the International school sector, the InternationalBaccalaureateOrganization. Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of two bodies, the BTEC (Business & Technology Education Council) and ULEAC (University of London Examinations and Assessment Council) In 2005, Edexcel became the only large examination board to be held in private hands, when PearsonPLCtookcompletecontrol.