Is distance learning even an option?

[IsabelFW]

Hello, I have major problem - I have custody over my younger sister, as I am almost 15 years older than her, and our parents died few years ago. Since than I have to do all those 'parent things'. We already survived high school, and gap year but now she is throwing me in one more problematic situation. And I am not sure am I going for it, and what is really good decision.

She doesn't want to go to uni, at least not 'real uni'. She wants do distance learning on accounting with The Open University or with International Institute of Technology .

Does anyone have any experience with these institutions? These or any other similar?

Open university is well recognised and historically been a cheaper option, but less so now it has lost it's government funding. So it will involve a significant amount of money, it maybe worth checking she understands that the costs have changed.
She could consider an accountancy apprenticeship with an accountancy firm this may end up achieving the same end for her without the financial outlay.

Okay, than costs are big in either way.
Is it possible to get apprenticeship without any degree? I didn't knew that. Maybe that option sounds the most reasonable. And useful.

Thank you very much! I hope she will be interested.

Do you maybe know were we could inform more about those apprenticeships? Is there maybe a site with ads of that kind, or should we just search through different companies on their sites?

The government has an apprenticeship web site called find apprenticeships and a quick check found 10 pages with 5 accountancy apprenticeships a page within 40 miles of my address. Many of these give you AAT qualifications which are the actual accountancy qualifications.
My current accountant who works for one of the big firms went straight in at 18 to this route our earns her husband who did a degree and then went into accountancy.

A degree apprenticeship (level 4/5 perhaps) would be a great move. She would have a proper job with 20% time for off the job training and finishes with a degree level qualification. Well worth looking into

OU is great. She'd get a loan for her fees, but not for maintenance so she'd presumably have to work. OU also takes longer. The other one is Australia based and probably won't give recognised U.K. accountancy qualification.

If she wants to become an accountant though she doesn't need university at all. Just an employer willing to sponsor her through the ACCA qualification. Or give her an apprenticeship as others have said.

People, you are amazing. Thank you!

I can't explain how much appreciate this information.
this is great. And I think we are starting some reasonable conversation here. She likes the ide.

Thank you very much!