Home study: Is it right for you?

With the threat of university tuition fees rising, studying at home seems like a good option. But do you have the motivation to work alone? We asked two students on distance learning courses to give us the inside track on the pros and cons of home learning.

"I'm a single parent and I work, but I can study after my little girl goes to bed"

According to the 2009 Push Student Debt Survey, students in England are now expected to graduate from university £23,000 in debt. Fortunately, there's way of earning your degree that not only cuts out the usual student outgoings, but also offers you the flexibility to work while you learn.

If money's too tight for uni

Not everyone can afford to go to uni, or indeed wants the prospect of paying off a student loan for a very long time after they graduate. Heather, 24, was studying at Paisley University but had to drop out because of escalating debt. She got a full-time job to sort out her finances but shortly afterwards found herself pregnant. The hope of getting a degree seemed pretty slim until she spoke to her uncle about distance learning with the Open University (OU). Now, after completing an 'open' degree in Business, Criminology and Media Studies she's studying for a BSC in Social Sciences, also through the OU.

"I'm a single parent and work full-time but I can study after my little girl goes to bed," says Heather. "I also have the option of going to a tutorial at one of the local universities every month. It's not mandatory, but it's helpful and you can meet people."

After a shaky start in higher education Heather feels she's in a better position than before. "I would certainly recommend distance learning to others, especially if you're on Working Tax Credit or Housing Benefit. Also, the fact I have a full-time job means I have work experience, while a lot of my friends who are just graduating are struggling to get a job."

Making the right choice

Harry Wootten, 22, was studying accounting and finance at the University of the West of England (UWE) but dropped out after three months. "I went to uni because all my friends were going, but there was always doubt," he says. "The course wasn't what I expected and I got bored, so I started living the uni lifestyle too much."

Harry still wanted to get qualifications so started looking at alternatives. "I'd heard lots of positive things about Home Learning College and studying the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) diploma through them seemed like a good option," he says. "They sent a rep to talk it through with me; it felt very supportive but there was no pressure."

For Harry, the method of learning made a big difference. "The course is set out like a simulated work environment – it's more practical than sitting in a lecture." He also feels it has given him the edge when it comes to the world of work, since he's working while studying. "At school, they talked about university being the only route, really, but a lot of my friends are finishing degrees and having to start at the bottom," he says.

What's the catch?

Distance learning is not for everyone and is by no means an easy route to getting a degree. Combining work and study, or even studying at home full-time, requires much more self-discipline and motivation. If you're doing an external degree, such as the ones offered by the University of London, for example, be prepared to work extremely hard. Different courses require different levels of commitment, so be realistic about how much time you can give your course. "I'm meant to devote two hours each night a week to studying for my course, but it's difficult with a job," says Harry.

Getting what you pay for

Before you sign up to any course make sure you've done your homework first. Home learning is largely unregulated so there are some cowboys out there. In 2009, the Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) reported a 61 per cent increase in complaints about poor quality courses costing too much.

The most important thing is to be clear about what you want from a provider and research them carefully. Opting for a company accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) reduces your chances of getting scammed.

By Emma Rubach

Photo by volunteer photographer Georgina Hill

Updated:20/08/2010

Did you know?

Nelson Mandela completed his degree at the University of London while incarcerated on Robben Island.

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Check out the four main providers in the UK: The Open University (OU); The University of London External Programme; The National Extension College (NEC); and The Open Learning Foundation (OLF).
Look at this excellent checklist from the British University on how to choose a distance learning provider. It's for foreign students but is relevant to anyone.
The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) also has an in-depth guide to choosing a distance learning provider.
For information on distance learning courses and general advice about options if you're not going to uni, check out www.notgoingtouni.co.uk.
If you have a complaint about the distance learning provider you have chosen, contact the ODLQC.

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