Mis-sold Home Learning College Course??

Dunroamin

honey10 wrote: »

I've not had any experience with this company, but I have used the OU, and it seems that there are similar, if not the same qualifications available there. I would highly recommend them, as it can work out free, or very cheap, dependant on income. Don't pay through the nose for education when you can have it for free (or much, much cheaper)

From this September for new students, OU courses are much more expensive and are funded by student loans, regardless of the student's income.

Justicia

Dunroamin wrote: »

From this September for new students, OU courses are much more expensive and are funded by student loans, regardless of the student's income.

The changes are affecting many 'old' student also. Unfortunately

honey10

The Access to Success programme seems to be pretty good value for money from what I can gather, although I have transitional fees, so don't quote me on that.
Either way, aren't student loans from the OU, that will further your education, better than spending a fortune on a dodgy course that might get you nowhere?

pearl123

Even though there have been many changes at the OU recently (fees etc) they are still an honest organisation. Also one does come out with a valid qualification at the end. Also as one goes along one can pick up Higher education certificates, diplomas, and eventually a degree.

Joshd1982

I think it's a bit rich that the OU put their prices up as they did, because tutor support can be quite limited. But I certainly agree they are an honest company, they will help you to get any grants or funding and there is the distinct impression that they are there to educate, not sell.

Good quality materials too. Believe me, I'd use them if I could!

junepearl

I have been missold and misled from them as well back in 2008. Ended up owing to Barclays bank as they put me through to them to have it as a loan paying direct debit every month. I took CIW course from them when the salesman came to our house as I was interested into affiliate marketing and thats the course he thinks would be beneficial to me. He told me that I don't need any specific knowledge in computer as long as I have a background with it. Because I don't have enough money he suggested me to apply a student loan in Barclays, straight away that day loan was successful to pay direct debit every month £50.something for 2 years and and up-front payment of £50. Course materials was incomplete and the book was stating that I need a Computer Networking knowledge to learn the course which I haven't. As I was in the middle of relationship problems with my husband I was hoping it would be good to start something better for myself but then I have another problem to face.I didn't have energy to chase. About three months later I contacted them about the course and about my problems. They said they couldn't cancel it as it was overdue for thirty days policy in the agreement but they can offer me another course which I am not happy because I just wanted to cancel it and was left paying it for 2 years without getting anything from it. I am not very happy with them and I will never go there again.

Mister_Been_Stung

Hi everyone. I would just like to say that I am in total agreement with all the dissatisfied people who have taken any of the Home Learning College's courses.
I signed up for the Website Design course, using Adobe CS4 Dreamweaver and Flash, in October 2009 and was persuaded to pay a deposit of £100 and take out a 2-year loan for £1800, payable monthly at £75 pm. Even though I was unemployed, the sales rep was able to phone up and arrange the loan, which was approved within minutes. This surprised me, but I went ahead anyway. I convinced myself that it would probably cost the same to take a 2-year course at a proper College, and it would be worth it in the end if I was able to get paid work as a Website Designer (I still haven't managed it). I now think that the HLC's course was vastly overpriced, by at least 100%.
Even allowing for the cost of the supplied course materials and HLCs overheads it was still too expensive. Oh yes, it's true that you only receive the Student Edition of Adobe CS4, which is not supposed to used for 'commercial gain'.
For the record I did eventually take and pass both the Dreamweaver and Flash ACA exams in November 2011, although I failed the Dreamweaver exam the first time and had to pay a re-take fee of £42 plus £18 Test Centre admin fee. I actually bought Abobe's Classroom in a Book for both Flash and Dreamweaver (I highly recommend these, by the way) and worked through them before taking the ACA exams. I believe I would not have passed them at all otherwise!
I wish I could claim back at least some of the course fee, as my bank account has just plunged into the red and I am now living on borrowed money (as an unsuccessfully self-employed CAD Technician), so any extra money at this time would be a godsend. As it is, I can't help feeling that I paid way too much to HLC for the Adobe Certified Associate, an entry level qualification. I now find that this qualification does not impress prospective employers much. In fact I would need to take yet another course to get to Adobe Certified Expert level, and I just can't afford it now.
I would just like to add that I received a follow-up call from HLC some time ago asking for my feedback. I told them that the standard of online help was good, the course materials only fair, but the total cost of the courses was way too much.
Oh well, thanks for listening to my 'sour grapes' everyone, and remember, DO NOT SIGN UP with HLC, or any other over-priced online study courses for that matter, unless you are rich wth money to burn!

MSE_ForumTeam1

Below is a message from Home Learning College

Regards

Dear Money Savers

I am the new Marketing Director at Home Learning College, brought in
recently by the new owners of the business who bought it mid-2011. Most
of this thread dates back several years, but I was disappointed to see
some recent issues that people have encountered and wanted to reply in
person.

It's hopefully never too late to apologise and explain how we've taken
on board this kind of feedback. In the past 12-18 months since being
under new ownership, we've completely transformed most aspects of the
business and really focused on Student Support. You can read recent
independent reviews at places like trustpilot.co.uk. Our exam pass rates
also support this.

As the largest professional online college with thousands of students,
we will still occasionally have students who have issues or complaints,
all of which we take seriously. I'd like to give Money Saving Expert
readers a direct path to me personally. If you, or anyone else reading
this post, have concerns of any kind please email me at director@
homelearningcollege. com (without the spaces) or call me direct on 0I2I
722 5389. I will try and get back to you in person and certainly you'll
hear from us within 1 business day.

Yours sincerely
Chris Simpson.

HippyHippyChick

I've read some disappointing reviews of Home Learning College and having made numerous calls and emails regarding my current course and one they have recommended I switch to due to the CIW exam being retired. I hope to have a positive outcome after emailing the address as above.

I was given 2 years in which to complete my CIW and find some 3 months into the course the exam is being retired. I feel very despondent as I haven't so much as begun the course work (due to a recent house move and unscheduled hospital operation). However I did feel I would not complete the course work in the time frame given.

Home Learning College did offer me an alternative course, but the free social media course offered with the CIW simply was not available with the Adobe Associates course.

They also have been a bit (cloak and dagger, shall we say) about any changes in the course fee's, if there will be a shortfall and if the printed course material costs would be included.

I shall post my response as I have one. My only wish is for a positive one so I can resume learning.

Sarah_88

I am a distant learner with HLC, I feel i was missold this course and conned into starting this course. Their communication is absolutely ridiculous! My last contact with HLC was July last year and not once since have they had any contact with me! I was given workbooks in the wrong format and then told to reprint of the internet!! I have made various contact with them since trying to cancel my course I am in the process of contacting the Financial Ombudsman over the matter as i am going round in circles with them. This company are an absolute joke and I strongly advise that you go elsewhere for your studies. If any one has any info or has got anywhere with this company please write back to me as all advise would be appreciative.