learndirect Blog

Many of us considering a return to education can be uncomfortable at the thought of going into a classroom environment again. Meaning the thought of education is put far to the back of our minds, however, learning doesn’t always require a classroom. You may worry that it is too late to start studying or that your lifestyle and commitments will be impacted. Traditional education works but is rigid. You are expected to conform to their timetable and their way of teaching. Depending...

Are you looking to get back into university but don’t have the qualifications? Perhaps you’ve found yourself in a career that no longer excites you. A common occurrence for a vast majority. According to a survey conducted by YouGov only 45% of people in the UK like their current jobs. With many of us left unsatisfied with our professional lives. Or maybe you’ve been busy raising a family, so you’ve had to put your interests on the back burner. Parenting is no easy feat and...

In the UK around 300,000 babies are born via midwife lead deliveries each year. This is even though there is a shortage of 2,500 midwives across the NHS. Midwives, in addition to delivering the nations babies, carry out several duties vital to the welfare of both mother and baby. Within a community setting, they help the new family navigate the first few weeks of the baby’s life. Making sure the baby is healthy and mum is recovering well. They also serve as a 24-hour helpline,...

In an increasingly fast-paced world, understanding mental health and wellbeing has never been more important. Because the modern world demands more of our attention, we become disconnected from our own needs and happiness, leading to a population where anxiety, depression and other mental health issues are common. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 4 people experience mental ill-health at some point in their lives. That's why the right support needs to be available to allow...

Online learning provides anyone wanting to gain qualifications or new skills, access to dozens of different courses. Ranging from Access to HE Diplomas and A Levels to dog grooming and calligraphy. There’s almost something for everyone. But the actual ‘use’ of learning is down to you and what you hope to get out of your learning. For some learning is its own reward – the ‘journey being the worthier part’ mindset. It’s purely to expand their knowledge rather than to...

The study of criminology delves into the physical aspects of crime in order to understand the sociological causes and implications. In some cases, this can include the psychology of criminals and the development of criminal profiles to better understand their behaviour. Criminologists help to solve crimes and to prevent them. A career in criminology is as interesting as it is varied where a good day solves crimes and saves lives. To become a criminologist requires a degree in any...

Most of us wish we had paid a little more attention at school or studied a bit harder to get higher grades. Whatever the reasons, the result is, we’ve found ourselves lacking something that would have been useful in our careers. It can feel embarrassing too. Admitting that we don’t have a qualification or skill, especially if it’s because we didn’t try as hard as we could have. If you have been out of education for some time or you’re a couple of decades into your career,...

It’s always a contentious thing to say that a certain subject or profession is more important than others. But the sciences are most certainly up there. Biology helps us to understand the human body and the natural world. It helps us to understand diseases and how they spread. Chemistry helps us develop the vaccines and unpick how everything is made. Physics tries to unravel the mysteries of the universe and existence itself. Thanks to physics, we have picked up tremors in the...

Traditional educational institutes such as schools and colleges provide children with the knowledge they need in order to succeed. Pupils are given the opportunity to learn and make friends under the pastoral care of a team of qualified educators. Within the context of a child moving through the educational system, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional approach to education. But what if you are returning to education? Whether you didn’t do so well the first...

Deciding to become a teacher is the first step on a path to a fulfilling career educating generations of children. You will have a hand in shaping lives and guiding children on their own journey towards academic and professional success. Choosing to become a teacher also means you will have a moderate amount of job security with the opportunity to earn more as your experience grows. Moreover, there is a significant shortage of secondary school teachers with the government missing its...

Thousands of people embark on distance learning courses every year. Over 20,000 alone complete Access to Higher Education Diplomas and go on to study at university. Whether you are studying a diploma or retaking your GCSEs. The grading system is the same. The qualifications are the same. The course material may differ but then that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it ensures the material stays current. The only significant difference is you aren’t at the mercy of someone...

Nurses provide a vital role to so many in a variety of professional capacities. They are required to give care, advice, emotional support and more. They are trained to do everything from taking blood to supervise medication and post-surgery recovery. They can help people battle addiction, overcome mental health issues and improve their standard of living. Choosing to become a nurse is making a commitment to care for others, no matter what. And to live by a defining set of...

Becoming an early years practitioner means you play an essential role in a child’s development between birth and age five. For many households, nursery and preschool provides an invaluable service that allows parents to continue to work. For the child it is an opportunity to develop, learn and grow through play and socialising with other children. Anyone choosing to become an early years practitioner is making a commitment to the development and welfare of children. Which is a...

Nursing and midwifery both have very important – and highly regarded – roles in public health. Nurses support patients in a variety of ways in home, GP and hospital settings. They are trained to do everything from take a blood test to supervise medication and post-surgery recovery. They can help people with exercise regimes, quit smoking or their mental health. Midwives on the other hand support and guide expectant mothers through their pregnancy and – eventually – the...

For some of us, the option of going into Higher Education was never really an option at all. Through circumstances, finances or perhaps not enough concentration in the classroom, the opportunity never arose. Then there are those of us whose career path didn’t require a degree. Or we simply didn’t want to study one. Regardless of reason or motive, you may find yourself wanting to return to education in order to gain a degree. Either through part-time or full-time study. However,...