Has anybody here ever done any distant learning like Open University? if so how did they find it? l am considering doing some form of course but curious to see if anybody here has done it?

Mike

 

Mike I done A+ certification on distance learning and it wasnt all that, shit support from who ever it was i got the course from.

You should be alright on the OU but most of the courses are sold as a product without a shit being given for the student so watch who you buy from.

If you can discipline yourself and manage your time you'l be alright mate.

 

Hi Peter, thanks for that, some of the reviews are a little mixed to be honest so really want to investigate what l go for,
Mike

 

Yeah, I finished an MBA about 7 years ago. What do you want to know?

It was expensive but paid for by the place I worked at the time. I found it hard to get motivated as you don't have "classes" as such. Although I did it with the London Business school and the support was excellent, went up there a few times for tutorage. Plus obviously I was in the workplace with people who had done it so could help. It's surprising how much help you need!

I suppose it all depends on the course and how confident you are sorting through problems mostly on your own. I'd say you were probably pretty good at that?

I'd guess with you it's more for personal development rather than career opportunities as you're self employed, so I'd say go for it! It's tax deductable for the self employed if the course relates to your business. I'm considering doing an LLB via distance learning but unfortunately, my accountant doesn't think I'd be able to have it as an expense.

 

Thats not an issue for me

What is the London Buisness School like Paddy as it is a buisness course l am thinking about to be honest, would love it to roll towards a Degree or something but baby steps first, maybe a small course nothing to expensive to get my teeth into and see how that goes then move on to something bigger,

What course exactly did you do?

Cheers

Mike

 

I'll dig the papers out at the weekend as they're still at my parents house.

Basically it was a Masters degree in Business Administration, I finished my degree in 2000 then did the MBA by distance in about 2 and a half years. I got a few "free passes" for vocational stuff, I can't remember how long it takes other wise! I think they give it 2-4 years via distance or 1 year full time.

The London Business School was alright, it was just the most convenient for me at the time as I was working in Surbiton and hopped on the train a few times if needed. the facilities

You can choose your specialisation on that course, I was an Internal Comms Manager back then and the closest related modules were those in HR. It was a bit wishy washy for me and to be honest my mind is like a sponge. It gets wringed out 5 minutes later At the time though, there were no qualifications for Internal Comms and these seemed the most sensible route as everyone else on my graudate scheme were doing CIPDs, I.T qualifications and Accountancy stuff which never interested me.

I THINK that you can do individual modules that can then count towards a degree? Think carefully and get some proper advice before choosing one for the main reason that if you choose to go on and do a degree and/or a Masters, it will count towards the overall. No point paying out and doing something that doesn't imo!

I'm not sure where you're based Mike but even though it's distance learning, it's worth being near a place you can go for support. iirc they give you student cards to go in any library but it's not the same as meeting up with tutors and people that are doing the exact same thing as you.

Actually, I just look on the LB school site and can't even see a distance MBA on there now!

The other options for me at the time were Edinburgh Business school who have loads of distance stuff or Nottingham Trent.

I don't have any experience with Open University but the mum of a bloke I went to school with did Law with it when we were younger as a single mum. She's now a Crown Prosecutor and loves her job! Sadistic bitch! lol.

TBH mate, I'd say do some homework [to get used to it ] and bloody go for it!

I never regret learning and like I said, I'd love to do an LLB but I'll be fucked if I'm paying out for it without it being tax deductable

 

Thanks for the advice and info Paddy, l will have a snoop around the London Buisness School website and see what they offer.

I live in Stamford Lincs so not massivly close to any were really....

Cheers

Mike