Oxford college distance learning

[admylin]

Has anyone used them for distance learning? I've contacted them by email but they never answered. I've got some info from OU and ICS and wanted to compare with ODL (Oxford distance learning). I'd be gratefull if any one could give an opinion as I want to start as soon as possible but want to make the right choice (A levels)

I would say that not answering an email is a worrying sign! Would go with OU if it was me.

Their website seemed really good but that is exactly what I thought when they didn't answer. There are such big price differences between the 3 aswell.

I'd be cautious about them. I don't have personal experience of them and they might be completely reputable but there have been a few examples over recent years of colleges opening in Oxford, trading on the "Oxford" name and then ripping students off (I lived in Oxford until recently and work in an education-related field). Good luck with your A levels, whichever provider you choose.

just being nosey but what A-levels are you hoping to do?

I was thinking of doing religious studies and either history or sociology. I did religion and history (and art) Alevels at school but ran off to live abroad (madly in love) before I sat the exams so after so many years of regretting not having studied I want to start over. Have you done any distance learning?

I did an OU course ages ago - a half credit one that I guess was about the level of an A-level in issues in deafness. I did it in my gap year between a-levels and uni. I do like studying though I never appreciated it at the time!

I found it was nice to have something to focus on and structure around. I met a woman at work once who had done an OU degre at home when her children were small and she went on to do a Phd. She was lovely and she had done it to give her a focus outside of the children.

Yes, having something to focus on and aim for other than the kids and house is what I need, I feel like my brain is going to sleep and I will always regret not having finished studying. I've sat at home for the past 8 years enabeling dh to complete his PhD and establish himself in his crazy world of science so now it's my turn.
We live in Germany so distance learning would be great and if we ever get moved back to UK (hope) I could change from distance to "real life" study.

distance learning would be great for you then. I think there are lots on online communitites now for this kind of thing so it will be a social outlet (dare I say other than other mums!) which should be good.

I am in a simliar position that I have more or less been st home childrearing for the past seven years whilst dp's career goes from strength to strength (which is fab!) I am making tentative moves back out to the big wide world of work - the thing that I have noticed most is my confidence is compleletly shot to hell!

I think you are wise to go back to studying if it is turning into a 'what if' for you - you don't want to wonder if you could have tried it. Well done for biting the bullet!

I am in Oxford btw - want me to go and bang on their door and ask what they are playing at ignoring emails!!!!

Can't wait to get started, think I will check out the OU offers but they are really expensive when you do the courses from abroad.
Going to try a german exam too from Goethe institute so I'll atleast have that from my time in Germany.