ICS Learn - Course Fee Loan

Dabooka

Have you contacted them and asked for a copy of the agrerement? If they can't provide one, maybe then you'll be in a position to argue.

And for what it's worth, Distance Learning can be be excellent when run properly and for the right courses. Try your local college instead.

izools

This is why I went for distance learning - I wanted to re-do my A-Levels, but my local college run all of their A levels at 6PM on a Tuesday evening - its impossible to do more than one at a time!!!

ILW - What do you think would be better? Dispute the course itself or the (lack of) credit agreement?

ILW

Doubt if you will have much luck disputing the course. Chances are you got exactly what you signed up for (not much). You could dispute the credit but may still be liable for the cost of teh course.

izools

Thanks ILW.

I was just wondering - how could I be liable for the cost of the course if not by way of a credit agreement? I assume you mean by way of a contract of sale?

Dabooka

izools wrote: »

Thanks ILW.

I was just wondering - how could I be liable for the cost of the course if not by way of a credit agreement? I assume you mean by way of a contract of sale?

Actually, what he says makes sense; so they could say "You're right there's no credit agreement, now you owe us £XXX.xx for the course please" as you'll still be liable for costs, just not the credit. Bah.

A levels via distance learning?! The reason colleges don't like part time students doing more than one at a time is because so many struggle to manage the workload. Do you want them for a University course (might be able to help here if nothing else!)?

izools

Yes I do have keen aspirations to go to University. I don't want to do it now, but I would like to have the option, and would like the enrollment process to be as easy as possible when I feel the time is right.

I would start of with a BSc in the field of Computing / Language / IT, but for that I need excellent results in A Level Maths - not just an Access course.

Unfortunately I was greatly let down as an old colleague from my old employer said she would help atleast once a week, as did my mother, unfortunately it was all hot air and I've been left in the lerch with no one to help me or guide me.

I now understand that I simply am not suited to distance learning and don't have the motivation to go it alone. I know it would be wrong to hold ICS accountable for my shortfall in that respect but really, we're talking nearly a grand here for nothing more than a binder with some badly written generic text, mostly referring me to purchase off the shelf text books. Absolute bloody rip off.

As regard to handling the workload - that isn't an issue, as I only work part time in the evenings. What I need is team motivation, and a College would certainly offer me that, I just can't believe that a huge college would have such little flexibility in their approach to adult education. I have always found it a problem, with the education system being too rigid for my learning style and / or requirements, but I guess we have to take what we are given.

I think it would be best for me to consider an Access to Science course alongside a Maths A level, which may just get me enough points to get into a second rate university, but I would very much like to stay where I am and go to Exeter University. They have excellent facilities and are world renowned, but I will need more than just an Access to Science and Maths A-Level under my belt to get in...

...Besides, I work evenings. The A-Level courses are also in the evening. I'm incredibly lucky to have found a position in IT with the market the way it is at the moment and don't think I will find such a good job if I were to look elsewhere to find a work pattern that frees up my evenings.

ILW

izools wrote: »

Yes I do have keen aspirations to go to University. I don't want to do it now, but I would like to have the option, and would like the enrollment process to be as easy as possible when I feel the time is right.

I would start of with a BSc in the field of Computing / Language / IT, but for that I need excellent results in A Level Maths - not just an Access course.

Unfortunately I was greatly let down as an old colleague from my old employer said she would help atleast once a week, as did my mother, unfortunately it was all hot air and I've been left in the lerch with no one to help me or guide me.

I now understand that I simply am not suited to distance learning and don't have the motivation to go it alone. I know it would be wrong to hold ICS accountable for my shortfall in that respect but really, we're talking nearly a grand here for nothing more than a binder with some badly written generic text, mostly referring me to purchase off the shelf text books. Absolute bloody rip off.

As regard to handling the workload - that isn't an issue, as I only work part time in the evenings. What I need is team motivation, and a College would certainly offer me that, I just can't believe that a huge college would have such little flexibility in their approach to adult education. I have always found it a problem, with the education system being too rigid for my learning style and / or requirements, but I guess we have to take what we are given.

I think it would be best for me to consider an Access to Science course alongside a Maths A level, which may just get me enough points to get into a second rate university, but I would very much like to stay where I am and go to Exeter University. They have excellent facilities and are world renowned, but I will need more than just an Access to Science and Maths A-Level under my belt to get in...

...Besides, I work evenings. The A-Level courses are also in the evening. I'm incredibly lucky to have found a position in IT with the market the way it is at the moment and don't think I will find such a good job if I were to look elsewhere to find a work pattern that frees up my evenings.

Sadly it is likely that is what you agreed to buy. Is there anything specific that was offered but has not been supplied?

izools

No, not really.

I might just let them send it to a DCA and send the proof of being on means tested benefits (working tax credits) with an offer of £1 a month. Near-as-makes-no-difference not paying for it and atleast it keeps them off my back.

Shouldn't affect my credit rating as they never did a credit search and the account doesn't appear on any of my credit files. And I should bloody well think so too as I never actually agreed to be tied into a credit agreement.