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Oxford Distance Learning College?
I was thinking of doing an A Level in Philosophy in my gap year and only ODL seems to offer it via distance learning. I'm not too sure about their reputation though and would be glad if anyone who has had experience with them could tell me how they found them. Thanks in advance 
I was just about to post exactly the same thread except for Chemistry!
how odd
I have just told imperial i don't want to go there next year and am gong to reapply to Oxford for Biological Sciences.
I have Physics, Art, Maths and Biology A-levels (AAAA) but regret not doing Chemistry.
The more in depth I read into biological topics, in journals and books, the more complicated the biochemistry becomes.
So an extra Chemistry A-level would be of great benefit to my own understanding as well as being 'highly desirable' for the tutors at Oxford
If anyone has any experience home-schooling or otherwise use ODL or a similar organisation we would appreciate any info you might have.
cheers
toby
how odd
I have just told imperial i don't want to go there next year and am gong to reapply to Oxford for Biological Sciences.
I have Physics, Art, Maths and Biology A-levels (AAAA) but regret not doing Chemistry.
The more in depth I read into biological topics, in journals and books, the more complicated the biochemistry becomes.
So an extra Chemistry A-level would be of great benefit to my own understanding as well as being 'highly desirable' for the tutors at Oxford
If anyone has any experience home-schooling or otherwise use ODL or a similar organisation we would appreciate any info you might have.
cheers
toby
Hehe...Great minds and all that...
Hi, Im using Oxford (odl) for A level Psychology and Human Biology.
I enrolled 2 weeks ago, My experience so far is
I received my Biology within 3 days, but received Physics rather that Psychology and am trying to get it resolved, with difficulty! It was meant to be re-delivered Monday, no sign yet, have just got of the phone with them and am expecting a call back before 5
The courses are 1 year fast tracks due to the new syllabus next year, it must be completed by then.
The course's are £295 each, Although you can pay in instalments, But you have to arrange your own examinations, Prices vary but my local college charge £25 per unit plus a admin fee, I have to do 12 units in a year (6 per course), £££££
Oxford do not mark coursework, If possible then you will sit the T2 paper(I think) which means you dont have to do coursework, Where coursework is compulsory, you have to find your own private markers, £50 a pop.
You receive the work in paper format, but some additional information is found on there site, using your password, These files range from, PDF, RTF, Doc and docx(the 2009 Microsoft/office program files, I cant open them as i dont have it) as you can imagine, finding the correct programs to open each file is frustrating.
The chat room, where you find tutors has to my knowledge never had anybody but me in them, and i have checked a lot.
You are asked to email your assignments to your tutor, Basically mock exams, found in your paper pack, They do not tell you if you need to just send the answers, answers and questions, or find a template somewhere?
Your tutor support section mentions that any questions will be answered within 7 days!!!!! wtf
Did I mention you will need to buy the relevant books to the course, as it will ask you to read a page from said book, then answer questions, If you dont have the book, your buggered!
It has taken me a while to get my head round everything, and I still have a lot of un-answered questions with no understanding of how I resolve them?
I had no other option but to take distance learning as I am full time employed and need the A levels for university, So its good in that sense, It might be a stressfull year though!!
Forgot to mention, Predicted grades cost £20 academic references cost £20 per subject based on your assessments.
I enrolled 2 weeks ago, My experience so far is
I received my Biology within 3 days, but received Physics rather that Psychology and am trying to get it resolved, with difficulty! It was meant to be re-delivered Monday, no sign yet, have just got of the phone with them and am expecting a call back before 5
The courses are 1 year fast tracks due to the new syllabus next year, it must be completed by then.
The course's are £295 each, Although you can pay in instalments, But you have to arrange your own examinations, Prices vary but my local college charge £25 per unit plus a admin fee, I have to do 12 units in a year (6 per course), £££££
Oxford do not mark coursework, If possible then you will sit the T2 paper(I think) which means you dont have to do coursework, Where coursework is compulsory, you have to find your own private markers, £50 a pop.
You receive the work in paper format, but some additional information is found on there site, using your password, These files range from, PDF, RTF, Doc and docx(the 2009 Microsoft/office program files, I cant open them as i dont have it) as you can imagine, finding the correct programs to open each file is frustrating.
The chat room, where you find tutors has to my knowledge never had anybody but me in them, and i have checked a lot.
You are asked to email your assignments to your tutor, Basically mock exams, found in your paper pack, They do not tell you if you need to just send the answers, answers and questions, or find a template somewhere?
Your tutor support section mentions that any questions will be answered within 7 days!!!!! wtf
Did I mention you will need to buy the relevant books to the course, as it will ask you to read a page from said book, then answer questions, If you dont have the book, your buggered!
It has taken me a while to get my head round everything, and I still have a lot of un-answered questions with no understanding of how I resolve them?
I had no other option but to take distance learning as I am full time employed and need the A levels for university, So its good in that sense, It might be a stressfull year though!!
Forgot to mention, Predicted grades cost £20 academic references cost £20 per subject based on your assessments.
I'm doing Philosophy as an intensive A Level via ODL. It seems all of these distance learning companies are much the same in terms of limited online support and of course expense. I was shocked when I discovered it would cost £40 for a combination of an academic reference and predicted grades from ODL considering I'd already forked out £200 on the course itself (managed to get discount at the time). I've submitted an assignment to my tutor but as yet heard nothing, I suppose I'll wait the 7 days before contacting them.
ODL uses materials from the NEC (National Extension College) which at the moment doesn't seem to charge a fee for references or predicted grades, I'm with them for a few other subjects. If you do need any sort of reference though you'd really need to complete all or most of the assignments by the end of this year for it to be of help to your UCAS application.
Overall I would say if you are completely new to a subject and lacking confidence, whilst expensive, this is the best way of going about learning due to the available tutor support. If you already have experience of a subject and just want a structured way of learning the NEC does just offer course materials for a fraction of the price (approx £60 per AS £100 for the full A Level). Alternatively, it is quite possible to go completely alone and choose your exam board use their syllabus, buy any relevant books and use online support such as TSR.
One more note, there are a lot of figures being thrown around in terms of examination costs. It really is dependent upon the exam centre, I've been lucky in finding a local school who have allowed me to sit all my units (regardless of whether their students are taking them) charged at the basic exam board fee which was about £12 per unit for AS (I assume A2 will be the same). Hope this info helps!
ODL uses materials from the NEC (National Extension College) which at the moment doesn't seem to charge a fee for references or predicted grades, I'm with them for a few other subjects. If you do need any sort of reference though you'd really need to complete all or most of the assignments by the end of this year for it to be of help to your UCAS application.
Overall I would say if you are completely new to a subject and lacking confidence, whilst expensive, this is the best way of going about learning due to the available tutor support. If you already have experience of a subject and just want a structured way of learning the NEC does just offer course materials for a fraction of the price (approx £60 per AS £100 for the full A Level). Alternatively, it is quite possible to go completely alone and choose your exam board use their syllabus, buy any relevant books and use online support such as TSR.
One more note, there are a lot of figures being thrown around in terms of examination costs. It really is dependent upon the exam centre, I've been lucky in finding a local school who have allowed me to sit all my units (regardless of whether their students are taking them) charged at the basic exam board fee which was about £12 per unit for AS (I assume A2 will be the same). Hope this info helps!
I've hear they are a waste of money, was considering doing a few courses in this way myself but have been put of by the negative reviews ive read, ICS is the worst I'm told - out dated course materials etc. Your best bet is to try an evening class or see what a local college offers. hope this helps
Hello, I am thinking of taking a L3 in philosophy but a have no previous studies on the topic and working full time.from your experience do you think it requires long hours of studying or is it manageable?
Hello,Could you please tell me the name of the local college you are sitting your AS exams with?I have searched, a lot, and was recommended London Brookes College. However, their exam fees are horrendous. For example, £1600 for an A-Level Biology (including coursework, practicals and exams).I would appreciate it. Thank you.Best regards,Amna
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