Has anyone tried ICS study?

cazziebo

bmj191 wrote: »

Thank you :-)
I'm self employed and unfortunately can only afford to pay for 2 courses per year! :-\ wish I could do it all sooner.
Year1 GCSE science (almost completed )
Year2. GCSE's maths and english
Year 3. A Levels year 1 physics and biology
Year 4. A levels as above year 2
Year 5. A levels year 1 chem and maths
Year 6. A levels year 2 as above

Then, hopefully
5 years Medicine at Lancaster. I'll finally qualify as a junior doctor at the age of 37 !
'Tis a long road but I'm determined ;-)

I would recommend you look at the OU prospectus. If your long term goal is medicine then you should be able to cope with some of the Level 1 Science and Maths courses which will be equivalent to GCSEs and A levels. In fact - I think you could possibly complete a degree in that time, which might give you more chance of getting a place and the higher level study will help you cope with a med course.

(I have done many courses with the OU: it became an addiction I managed to break a few years ago! Disclaimer, I'm not an expert on qualifications and equivalents. I think Oldernotwiser is very good, she might be along soon)

I agree with other posters - steer clear of ICS. They make their money selling the finance for the courses. They are a sales business, not an education service.

OneYorkshireLass

I've done an ICS course, admittedly not an academic one, but I didn't have a problem. Fast service, good communication, and a great knowledgable tutor.

bmj191

Thank you all for your help.
DCFC79, thanks for researching OU for me.

With regards to doing equivalents, I've done quite a few of these over the years, yet when I applied to a uni for sports therapy in 2009, they basically laughed at me.

I just thought- enough is enough- and decided to go down the traditional route of GCSE's and A levels. Its a lot less complicated than laying all certificates on the table and saying 'This is equivalent to this..etc'

Saying that, you wouldn't believe how hard its been to actually find somewhere offering GCSE's. Hence the 40 mile round trip each time!

colacubes

Good luck with your studies, I have just been accepted onto ou course level 1 and so excited

bmj191

Well done! Wishing you all the best too :-)

Your_Silent_Face

bmj191 wrote: »

Thank you :-)
I'm self employed and unfortunately can only afford to pay for 2 courses per year! :-\ wish I could do it all sooner.
Year1 GCSE science (almost completed )
Year2. GCSE's maths and english
Year 3. A Levels year 1 physics and biology
Year 4. A levels as above year 2
Year 5. A levels year 1 chem and maths
Year 6. A levels year 2 as above

Then, hopefully
5 years Medicine at Lancaster. I'll finally qualify as a junior doctor at the age of 37 !
'Tis a long road but I'm determined ;-)

I really have to admire your determination and commitment. If I'm in need of a doctor from 2022 onwards, I hope I bump into you!

As for your question, my suggestion would be to search for traditional "bricks and mortar" colleges that also do distance learning. Craven College is one such that offers GSCE and A-level. You can have much more confidence in what they offer and the standards they will meet.

colacubes

Your_Silent_Face wrote: »

I really have to admire your determination and commitment. If I'm in need of a doctor from 2022 onwards, I hope I bump into you!

As for your question, my suggestion would be to search for traditional "bricks and mortar" colleges that also do distance learning. Craven College is one such that offers GSCE and A-level. You can have much more confidence in what they offer and the standards they will meet.

Place in your clinic for me too:D

LameDuck

BMJ191 - My son has just completed a 2 year BTEC National Diploma Course in Exercise Science whisch has gained him a place at uni doing Sports Therapy.

You need 4 x GCSE at C or above to do the course

The BTEC is the equiv of 3 A'Levels.

This may be another alternative!?!?

bmj191

Haha, thank you for the kind comments :-D

I will certainly look into craven college, that would be amazing if I could study at home for a few years.
Its difficult physically going to college, leaving the hubby with a baby to get to sleep, and an 'anti bedtime' 8 year old!

I'm also in the process of trying to expand my cleaning business, which will hopefully enable me to employ others to work whilst I'm at uni.
Although the people who have applied so far have been interesting to say the least!
Fingers crossed I will have more luck with private ads instead of the jobcentre.