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Parenting

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Original poster

Has anyone done an access course with the Distance Learning Centre ??

34 replies

nutcracker · 01/02/2008 20:27

Yes it's me again and yep I am asking about access courses again, please don't groan, bear with me.

I was idly surfing the net looking for inspiration on courses etc and found the DLC who offer various access courses online.

They are recognised by uni's and cover everything that a normal access course does, even the english and maths but you do the course at your own pace, doing one module at a time and not moving onto the next one until you have finnished eached section.

Only downside for me is that it costs £40 a month which I would majorly struggle to pay, but the idea of going at your own pace and not being bombarded with subjects at once really appeals to me.

Anyone else gone down this route ?

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Original poster

nutcracker · 01/02/2008 20:58

bump

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LIZS · 01/02/2008 21:03

How is it monitored/mentored.? You've said before you need the personal contact to keep you motivated.

Still think you'd be better doing some basic skills courses to get you into the studying habit, give you more confidence and make the course less stressful when you do commit yourself at a higher level. At that price you could n't afford to drop out or fail, a pressure in itself, or it might be the first thing to have to go if you struggled.

Original poster

nutcracker · 01/02/2008 21:12

I think the fact that I have to pay might help keep me going though iykwim.

I have read a couple of posts on another site from people who have done an access course this way and it seems to be alot less stressful. They have to do the work yes, but when they start, how fast they go and other things are totally up to them.

As far as I know you get phone contact with your tutor once a week but can have contact via email as often as you like.

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tiredemma · 02/02/2008 14:37

Is it £40 a month for as long as the course takes or does it reach a limit that you have to pay?
Any idea which modules you would study?

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 14:46

Here it is emma

I think you pay the £40 a month for as long as you are on the course, but will check that now.

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Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 14:47

Yeah it is for as long as you remain enrolled.

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tiredemma · 02/02/2008 14:52

so it offers 60 credits if you do the whole course? Any idea what you want to do with the qualification? (which course you then want to apply for?)

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:03

Thinking of doing the midwifery one, but not 100% sure yet as I know that alot of unis now ask for more than 60 credits for midwifery.

It does sound more suitable for me than the normal route, but obviously I have to be sure cos of the money.

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tiredemma · 02/02/2008 15:05

think that you need 66 for midwifery - it could be good as you can work at your own pace which decreases the demands of the work.

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:09

Yeah

Am wondering if you can do extra modules for extra credits, will have to have another look.

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LadyVictorianSqualor · 02/02/2008 15:15

I did an access course but at college, not distance and I would've found it quite hard without the other students/tutors tbh, I think distance courses are only worthwhile if you have studyied to a similar level relatively recently iyswim.
There is no way I could've written an essay to Level 3 standards without the refresher we had in English, I hadnt been in any education for about 6 years before.

Fireflyfairy2 · 02/02/2008 15:20

I did an access course too. It was at college though & not through distance learning, but I would have found it hard without the support of my fellow students. We all became good friends & were study buddies at exam times etc...

Have you changed your mind about librarian work then?

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:25

I really don't think the not having anyone to study with would bother me, perhaps it's cos i'm a bit of a loner anyway.

Still unsure about Library, think I'd be bored alot of the time.

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LadyVictorianSqualor · 02/02/2008 15:32

It wasnt the studying with other people I needed, but the discusssions when I didnt understand something.
Have you studied recently?

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:35

No not really.

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LadyVictorianSqualor · 02/02/2008 15:37

When I did mine after I had gotten into the swing of things I found it quite easy, didnt have any problems it was just that initial introduction back to learning iyswim, maybe try and do a day course of something at college and see how easily you take to that first?
I wouldnt want to see you sign up to pay £40 a month for something that you ended up struggling with.

LIZS · 02/02/2008 15:41

I'd really think about the social aspect , part of the benefit of doing a course is meeting like minded people and tutors who can help you through the more difficult periods and it forces you out of the house. The financial commitment if you didn't do it at the standard pace could be huge over time , would n't you normally qualify for a subsidised place. What if you wanted/needed to take a break , do you still have to pay to keep the credits gained to that point and your "place" ? Also I do think it could be hard going straight into that level of course.

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:47

I have to say, one of the things I hated about doing the access course at college was that because everyone is at different levels, alot of the time you either had people racing ahead, or people lagging behind so stuff was constantly repeated, plus people who just arsed about through every lesson.

The other option is an Understanding Health and Social care course with the OU. This is a level one course (reccomended for new starters to study) and would be free, plus i'd be entitled to a grant for something apparently (not sure what).

Obviously though, i'd have to do gcse's alongside this.

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LadyVictorianSqualor · 02/02/2008 15:48

Did you do one before then?
I may have been lucky, but we didnt have any of those problems with mine, after the first 8weeks or so anyone that didnt really want to be there had dropped out anyway.

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:52

Have started one at college several times now.

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tiredemma · 02/02/2008 15:53

will you have the motivation to do this at home? ( this is a Q coming from someone with minimal motivation at the mo)

LIZS · 02/02/2008 15:56

Would the OU count towards another course later on if you need it to (not sure how these Access/College/ Uni courses interlink). tbh I would think that was a better bet as a start and achieveable in the short term.

LadyVictorianSqualor · 02/02/2008 15:57

How long ago Nutcracker? and far did you get into the course?

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/02/2008 15:59

I think some people have done the OU and then their maths and english and actually got straight on to a midwifery course, so it sounds like it is a good route. The course doesn't sound as interesting as the access one though I have to say.

I would have to have motivation if I were paying for it emma LOL.

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tiredemma · 02/02/2008 16:02

BCU take the k100 OU understanding health and social care for entrance.

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