Long distance learning options

jimbo83

Having completed my degree and CA exams in the past few years, I am now thinking about doing a distance learning course in an A Level.

I don't fancy doing a masters just yet but thought picking up an A Level to study might be interesting.

Has anyone got any experiences of using long distance learning providers?

I have come across a couple so far - UK Open Learning and and ICS Distance Learning. Again, does anyone have any experience of these?

Cheers!

Gerson2k

IMHO, since you have aspirations on post-graduate studies at some point in the future would you not be better served by choosing an OU course instead?

It would certainly fit your requirement of distance learning.

I have no experience of either of the establishments you have referred to, but doing a search for "issues" in google is usually a good place to start if you're serious about using their services.

jimbo83

Gerson2k wrote: »

IMHO, since you have aspirations on post-graduate studies at some point in the future would you not be better served by choosing an OU course instead?

I can see where you are coming from - however part of the interest in the A Level option is because of the subject which interests me - Psychology.

Any post graduate learning is very likely to be in a business related area but I'm quite keen to learn something completely new at this stage.

miduck

You could teach yourself and find a school/ college that accepts private students? That would be the cheapest way of doing it.

OU is the other obvious choice, but it is no longer particularly cost effective.

jimbo83

miduck wrote: »

You could teach yourself and find a school/ college that accepts private students? That would be the cheapest way of doing it.

OU is the other obvious choice, but it is no longer particularly cost effective.

Yes this is an option i guess if i purchased the relevant text books.

The sites I mention above cost anything between £300-400 for their "pack and support" but it also states that I'd need to buy books etc on top. I think I need to figure what it is exactly I'd get for my £300-400 to make it worthwhile.

juno

jimbo83 wrote: »

Yes this is an option i guess if i purchased the relevant text books.

The sites I mention above cost anything between £300-400 for their "pack and support" but it also states that I'd need to buy books etc on top. I think I need to figure what it is exactly I'd get for my £300-400 to make it worthwhile.

You'll also need to enter yourself for the exam - which means that you need to find an exam centre (ie a school or college) and pay their entry fees.

Hillbilly1

You could do Psychology at the OU - just pick up modules as you want to. I worked with a guy with quals, but nothing related but he did a psychology degree via OU.

Gerson2k

How about taking a look at MIT OpenCourseWare for an insight on the subject of interest, granted its to a higher level but the material is free.

KiKi

I did one module of a post-graduate course with ICS. Never, ever again. Shocking service, appalling communication, materials were utterly shoddy - full of typos, incorrect information and very poor formatting and readability.

OU every time, if it's an option for you.

jimbo83

KiKi wrote: »

I did one module of a post-graduate course with ICS. Never, ever again. Shocking service, appalling communication, materials were utterly shoddy - full of typos, incorrect information and very poor formatting and readability.

OU every time, if it's an option for you.

Yeah but does the OU do A Level courses? I thought it was undergraduate and above!?

Js_Other_Half

I have no experience of this, but interhigh now does a levels for mature students. Up to now it mainly covered gcses etc for home educated young people. It does offer psychology.
http://www.interhigh.co.uk/interhigh_prospectus_advanced.asp