home learning

[choc lover]

I'm on a mission to improve myself (sounds serious dont it! haha) is there any home learning companies you would reccommend?? it has to be one that has where the qualification is reconised ..

[Ethel]

Open University

[cariad84]

I second the OU. I've just completed a Diploma in Music with them and I would definately reccomend them. Different courses are at different level (1-3) and are worth different amounts of points. For example, there are 10 point courses at level 1 that are designed to ease you in gently and last about 12 weeks. Other courses are worth either 30 or 60 points and last about 8-9 months. A 60 point course is roughly 16 hours of study a week. All courses have tutorials as means of offering support in case you get a bit stuck, but you're not obliged to attend. Some courses have summer schools which you have to attend, but they're not as bad as they sound. (I had one last year and thoroughly enjoyed it!) Hope this helps!

[saxy_jag]

And I 'third it (I have the Dip Mus too - remember Durham?).

As Cariad says, you go in at whatever level suits you, and the courses don't have to cost a fortune. Most of them, if you pass them, will earn you points which, if you want to, you can use to transfer towards a degree with another university.

Also, because of their reputation and recognition, you can often get an employer to sponsor you on job-related courses.

There are OU students who moan and whinge about certain administrative hiccups, but you get those anywhere (I've also been to conventional university, and it's just the same). Overall experience is good rather than bad.

Have a look at their website and send for a few brochures. Most 'big' courses start in February, so you'd be too late to register for them, but they have short 'taster' courses starting throughout the year that would be a good way of dipping your toes for the first time.

http://www.open.ac.uk/

[Christiana]

It's great you want to do this. I did it as a mature student and thought the people who had just left school would be much better, but found lots of people learn better when they've left school because they're more motivated. It's quite useful to go to the local authority night school and do a GCSE in English for a year. It helps to get you back into studying and is also an immediate advantage when applying for jobs or speaking to people. Hope it all goes well for you.