Distance/Home Learning

Germeze

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of looking at home study courses. I have decided to do an IT course (either A+ or MCSA) and so far I have norrowed down the suppliers to ICS and Advent. I don't have any prices from Advent yet so I may end up with ICS due to financial restrictions.

I wondered if anyone here had done any distance learning courses, who they used and whether the supplier was any good? My big concern is getting help as and when I need it.

Any advice is most welcome.

Thanks :T

cazziebo

What to remember with ICS (and possibly others, but I know about ICS) is that you pay for the course upfront, and take out a credit agreement to cover it. If you are late paying, or default then they are onto you with the hounds double quick.

I have spoken to so many people who decide the course is not for them, give up and stop paying only to be chased mercilessly. Of course, if you are really motivated and know you can afford it then this won't apply.

Have you looked at some local FE colleges/centres? some may offer night classes in these courses which may be a lot cheaper and you would also have the benefit of tutor and class support. Round about y2k there was lots of government money for these kinds of courses and with the slump in IT there are a lot of training providers with flashy kit and empty classrooms trying to fill them.

Becles

I'm studying with the Open Uni and have had excellent service.

If you need help, there is a tutor who you can ring or email for help. Some courses have face to face tutorials. The course will always have a tutor group forum, sometimes a national course forum and general forums for the area in which you are studying. You can post questions here too and other students or tutors will offer advice.

I'm not sure if they do the courses you are wishing to study, but it's worth a look. Check out the ready reckoner on the financial support pages as you may be entitled to help with the course costs.

cazziebo

I agree with Becles - the OU is a great way to study. However they don't do these specific IT qualifications - you have to do them through Microsoft accredited centres.

Germeze - are you working in IT just now?

tom9980

Lots of college of tech's seem to do A+ now both my two local ones do this and one is starting MCSA at the end of the year too. Its a lot cheaper doing it locally with a college one evening per week. I was entitled to free tuition and they even got me free vouchers for the exams because i was recieving certain benefits due to ill health.

minimoneysaver

I did a course with ICS and they were brilliant! I can highly recommend them.

Germeze

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I will have a look at the OU and see what courses are on offer. My local college doesn't offer the courses that interest me otherwise I think I would study with them.
I don't work in IT but I do fix my own computers taking them apart putting them back together and hoping they will work! Ideally I would like to get an apprenticeship type job to run alongside taking an IT qualification. Unfortunately, I am in my mid 30's and most companies only seem to want the 16-20 age group :mad:.
I may try writing to a few local firms and see if they would be interested in taking me on for a small salary.
Thanks again

Germeze

Kinkajou

Hi all,
I am currently studying with ICS training and I'm wondering why I bothered. What you get for your money is the bare minimum, I'd have been better off buying the standard texts and managing on my own.

Beware - if your company offers to pay for the course and are late paying, ICS training come directly to you for the money and not your company. Any court action is laid directly on you and will adversely affect your credit rating. In ICS world, it is up to the student to chase the company to ensure that they pay all outstanding invoices on time.
Needless to say, I'm not impressed...
:mad:

TheBaron10

ICS are very expensive. You can fiund the same courses from other suppliers at over half the price.

Try a Google Search for A+ Certification Course and you will find a few who offer the exact same course much cheaper.

My brother in law went with ICS and was chased for the money. He decided on a career change and didnt even pick the books up for over a year when they found his new address and continued chasing him!