AAT Level 2 Distance Learning - Training Provider : BPP x Kaplan

mapleleaf1010

Hi

I'm hoping to study AAT Level 2 distance learning and I'll be paying for it myself.

I'm having trouble choosing between BPP and Kaplan and would be interested to have your opinion on the pros and cons of these providers.

I don't want to make my choice on price alone, but BPP charge roughly twice as much as Kaplan. Is it justified?

I've heard that Kaplan printed/online materials are 'too simplified'. Is it true?

Can you please advise me?

Cheers

killerpeaty

Hi there,

I have been studying aat for a couple of years and have been with accountancy learning, BPP and now Kaplan for level 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Accountancy learning was by far the cheapest and they were a really friendly team, however I found it hard to do my projects with them because they didn't have an examination centre near me.

Kaplan materials are fine, I do prefer the BPP materials but it's marginal. I prefer the way that Kaplan communicates with me. The difference between them isn't much in my opinion.

They aren't the only options though so have a little search and you might someone cheaper and better for you https://www.aat.org.uk/training-providers/search Level 2 is dead easy if you apply yourself, so definitely look around.

makeyourdaddyproud

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Hi

I'm hoping to study AAT Level 2 distance learning and I'll be paying for it myself.

I'm having trouble choosing between BPP and Kaplan and would be interested to have your opinion on the pros and cons of these providers.

I don't want to make my choice on price alone, but BPP charge roughly twice as much as Kaplan. Is it justified?

I've heard that Kaplan printed/online materials are 'too simplified'. Is it true?

Can you please advise me?

Cheers

Do you have a job working in accounts? Or is this one part of your armoury in order to get in? I was thinking in doing the same.

mapleleaf1010

killerpeaty wrote: »

Hi there,

I have been studying aat for a couple of years and have been with accountancy learning, BPP and now Kaplan for level 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Accountancy learning was by far the cheapest and they were a really friendly team, however I found it hard to do my projects with them because they didn't have an examination centre near me.

Kaplan materials are fine, I do prefer the BPP materials but it's marginal. I prefer the way that Kaplan communicates with me. The difference between them isn't much in my opinion.

They aren't the only options though so have a little search and you might someone cheaper and better for you https://www.aat.org.uk/training-providers/search Level 2 is dead easy if you apply yourself, so definitely look around.

Hi

What made you change from BPP to Kaplan? I haven't called Kaplan yet, but I wasn't too impressed with BPP customer services.

Do you think BPP's prices (ie about twice as much as Kaplan's) are justified?

Are you studying distance learning with Kaplan? Did you choose standard, premier or premier plus?

Many thanks.

mapleleaf1010

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

Do you have a job working in accounts? Or is this one part of your armoury in order to get in? I was thinking in doing the same.

I have some accounts experience, but my current job is mostly admin. I process some invoices and expenses claims, but I don't think my employer would be happy paying for my AAT studies.

I haven't decided whether I'm going to buy Level 2 Module 1 first just to see if I like the training provider and learning materials or if I pay for the entire Level 2 (ie 5 modules) in a go. BPP give 10% discount and Kaplan 20% if you do so.

makeyourdaddyproud

I've thought about it after reading some case studies online: it appears bad value to gain the qualification unless sponsored. Too many people have the AAT as it appears easy to pass if you're smart ergo not now a licence to get into accounts.

One entry level job shows 122 applications. I'm out.

cool-dog

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

I've thought about it after reading some case studies online: it appears bad value to gain the qualification unless sponsored. Too many people have the AAT as it appears easy to pass if you're smart ergo not now a licence to get into accounts.

One entry level job shows 122 applications. I'm out.

I am studying AAT at the moment, am close to finishing level 4. AAT is a respected qualification and is not easy to pass, its 'easy' to pass if you put the studying in.

makeyourdaddyproud

cool-dog wrote: »

I am studying AAT at the moment, am close to finishing level 4. AAT is a respected qualification and is not easy to pass, its 'easy' to pass if you put the studying in.

Correct. Studying is not a big enough deterrent in almost any sector where the exam can be passed in your own time and without a sponsor.

Of course Kaplan and BPP will say otherwise ... capitalism is nearly always predictable.

cool-dog

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Hi

I'm hoping to study AAT Level 2 distance learning and I'll be paying for it myself.

I'm having trouble choosing between BPP and Kaplan and would be interested to have your opinion on the pros and cons of these providers.

I don't want to make my choice on price alone, but BPP charge roughly twice as much as Kaplan. Is it justified?

I've heard that Kaplan printed/online materials are 'too simplified'. Is it true?

Can you please advise me?

Cheers

I am studying AAT with BPP through my work.

I find BPP great, I have not seen Kaplan materials as BPP are my works approved supplier.

With BPP you can either have distance learning with just the books, personally I found this difficult and am now on the Distance Online Learning, where I get the books and online lecture videos, with back up of a lecturer via email if needed.

You will need to register with AAT before you sit an exam, on their student learning section of their website they have mock exams, these mock exams are very close to what the actual exam is like (different questions, but very similar if you know what I mean, and same layout etc) I find these a great help.

AAT is a respected qualification and worth gaining if you are willing to put the effort in.

killerpeaty

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Hi

What made you change from BPP to Kaplan? I haven't called Kaplan yet, but I wasn't too impressed with BPP customer services.

Do you think BPP's prices (ie about twice as much as Kaplan's) are justified?

Are you studying distance learning with Kaplan? Did you choose standard, premier or premier plus?

Many thanks.

I went from paying by myself to my employer paying for it, so it was based on price alone. I do prefer BPP assessment centres. But just because you have the learning materials from one, doesn't mean you have to take the test at the same provider's centre, unless they're projects.

Just the basic, will power is required but it allows you to go as quickly as you want to. I have only studied distance for AAT and all have been fine.

It's a big decision to make when sending that much money and devoting that much time. It is understandable to want all the information, but try not to suffer analysis paralysis.

With regard to getting the qualification without sponsorship... I went from software (without any accounts experience) to working in a practice and as soon as I'm finished with AAT, I will be going onto ACCA (with 3 exemptions). It may not work for everyone but I'm thankful it worked for me.

mapleleaf1010

killerpeaty wrote: »

It's a big decision to make when sending that much money and devoting that much time. It is understandable to want all the information, but try not to suffer analysis paralysis.

With regard to getting the qualification without sponsorship... I went from software (without any accounts experience) to working in a practice and as soon as I'm finished with AAT, I will be going onto ACCA (with 3 exemptions). It may not work for everyone but I'm thankful it worked for me.

Glad your AAT distance learning and career change have worked out well. :T

Yes, I suffer from 'analysis paralysis', particularly because my salary is not brilliant and the fees are a lot of money for me. But I'm hoping to make a decision within the next few weeks.

What do you do in your job working in a practice? Is it a large or small firm? What is your job title? How did you find out about it?

Which 3 ACCA exemptions are you going to get? I take your employer is sponsoring you?

It would be nice if I could get sponsored in the future. But if I decide to pay for the training myself, I'm very aware of the time, effort and stress involved. I did a course with the Open University some years ago and I know I'm disciplined enough to manage a distance learning course while working full time.

Many thanks and I hope you don't mind me asking you so many questions!