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Distance Learning Courses???

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Hi, i posted this on the Jobseeking, Employment, and Training thread and they suggested I post this here!

I've been recently thinking about getting a more rounded education, by doing a couple more GCSE's. Obviously I can't just give up work and go back to college, so I've been looking at doing a distance learning course. The two I've found that look promising are the National Extenstion College and Oxford Open Learning College.

I was just wondering if anyone has used either of these before, and whether they are any good or not, or if they are a con. It's a lot of money, so I want to check these places out properly before I jump in!!!

Or will i just be better off asking at my local college whether they do it or not?

Thanks

SA73
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Comments

  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    I'm familiar with the National Extension College and their materials are very good, on the other hand, your local college will offer GCSEs as eveining classes, so you might want to compare costs. What were you thinking of studying and what qualifications do you already have?
  • Hi just compared these prices myself. My local college is doing GCSE's for around £250, they are 2hrs in the evening and you can spread the cost over 6 installments with them, it just depends on how you feel best learing i expect. If a classroom environment sounds good to you i would go via local college if you are confident that you can apply yourself to distance learning then do it that way!

    I know you probably know this but if you need to sit an exam you need to cinsider teh additional cost of booking the exam yourself, where as if you go via local college the exam fee is usually included

    Looking at Nat Ext College the cost of say, GCSE Maths is £326 then the cost of any exam, not sure what this cost will be usually about £25 or so i think?? although please check that
  • I wish my local college did it for that! I've just looked and it's about £100 more!!!

    I have a GCSE in English (C) and Maths (D), and a GNVQ in Health and Soical Care Level 2. Basically I want to get some more GCSE's in grade c above if I can, and I was thinking about doing History and Biology, and maybe Law and another one. I'm sort of trying to avoid mickey mouse ones, if that makes any sense. The reason I was thinking distance learning was because I'm usually busy in the evenings after work, and I can't always be sure that I would make the classes!!!
  • wel, looking at the prices and the info op posted about the distance learning establishment using quality material then i would go with them if you feel comfortable doing so.. its quite shocking that diff colleges charge diff prices - well, to that extent it is, have you enquired if they have set sept 09 course prices yet? my local college told em that this price would probably go down this year too, mind you if you cant really commit to evenings due to current commitments distance learning sounds ideal for you - good luck!
  • SWMBO
    SWMBO Posts: 155 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    What do you want to use the extra qualifications to do? GCSEs may not be the best choice for what you want. If you don't yet have 5 level 2 qualifications (i.e. GCSE or equivalent) you may be eligible for funding, so talk to someone before you rule anything out on cost.
  • MrsManda
    MrsManda Posts: 4,457 Forumite
    Information from Direct.gov.uk:
    You’ll be able to get free tuition:
    • for a course which leads to your first full Level 2 qualification
    • if you’re 25 or under, for a course which leads to your first full Level 3 qualification
    A full level 2 qualification is defined as 5 or more A*-C grade GCSEs or equivalent. Level 3 is equivalent to 2 A-levels. There's a list of courses you can get for free.

    Funding details for other courses are HERE
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    The OP has already said that s/he has a level 2 qualification - GNVQ!
  • It's more a personal thing really, and plus the fact it looks good on my CV! also I was thinking about doing a History Degree through the OU, and I kinda wanted to test the waters first!
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    It's more a personal thing really, and plus the fact it looks good on my CV! also I was thinking about doing a History Degree through the OU, and I kinda wanted to test the waters first!

    Why not look at some of the OU's short courses at level 1 ? They're designed exactly for someone in your situation and would be considerably cheaper than the prices you've been looking at. In addition you earn points towards your final degree, you can see how you get on with the OU and they start at various times of the year, including May

    www.open.ac.uk
  • SWMBO
    SWMBO Posts: 155 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    I was thinking about doing a History Degree through the OU, and I kinda wanted to test the waters first!

    I agree with oldernotwiser, if you want to test the waters for an OU course, do an OU course! The quality of the materials is much better than GCSE textbooks or courses, its cheaper, easier to arrange, you can pay with tesco vouchers or even get funding, you can study when you want, the tutor support is fantastic, the courses are more interesting than GCSE syllabus, the level 1 courses are specially designed to easy you into studying, I could go on....
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