learndirect Blog

  If you want to enrol on a higher education course or degree programme but do not have the A-level qualifications required, an online Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma could be your route into university. These diplomas are designed for adult learners and those who have missed out on their A-level grades first time round that want to progress to higher education.  Our FAQs put all your queries about the diploma to rest, and offers a complete guide to the Access to Higher...

Maybe you’re interested in working as an adult carer but aren’t sure if you have the right qualifications? Or you are looking to change career and want to know what the health and social care sector has to offer? No matter whether you’re researching for the future or have finished an online course and need to figure out your next steps, there are probably a lot of questions flying around in your head. That’s why this blog exists: to address and answer your questions about health and...

We can all be afraid to turn our dreams into reality. Take the words from 3 famous women who knew how to turn dreams into action: Eleanor Roosevelt Estée Lauder Coco Chanel And see how to translate their tips into your career in beauty therapy. Start by Believing  Do you truly believe in your dream? We can all get caught up with busy lives and busy jobs but this is the most important ‘me-time’ you will ever need. Just take five minutes...

  Going back into studying can feel like a daunting prospect. Students all worry about the same things before they take that leap and do their dream course online. We have grouped together the 5 most common concerns in this FAQ on distance learning:   Q1: Will I do the work? Q2: Will I find the time? Q3: How will I manage family commitments? Q4: Will I get the help I need? Q5: Can I afford it?   Q1: “Will I do the work?” A: Good news....

      Are you ready to become a certified assessor?   You are at the top of your game, you have all the qualifications under your belt. You fancy a change and a challenge but love the hands-on side of your job. It is true that management isn’t for everyone. There are other ways to climb the career ladder, though. It is all about finding your niche and proving your worth.   If you work in health & social care, beauty therapy, hairdressing or...

  Maybe you have been thinking about becoming a nurse for a while but don’t know where to start or where to go. Without A-levels, figuring out UCAS points and credits can be a real task. We have done the hard bit for you and compiled a list of the best ranked universities in the UK for nursing that may not require A-levels.    Keep the day job with an online Access to HE Diploma   Studying for A-levels may be the traditional way but a bit of research...

Whether you work for a large company or you have your own start-up business, being tech savvy is crucial for success in this technological age. As technology advances and people become increasingly more connected, how we receive information changes.  Businesses must follow suit by adapting their digital marketing techniques in order to thrive. Read on for 5 ways to keep yourself on top of your digital marketing strategy. Presentation is everything Any marketer knows...

Health and social care workers provide support and help to people of all ages with a range of difficulties and disabilities that impair their daily living. Whether this is going in to people’s homes to provide personal care (dressing and washing), supporting young people with mental health or aiding the rehabilitation of those recovering from illness, there are an array of avenues that social care workers can take during their careers. There are 1.48 million people currently working in...

A career as a counsellor is an extremely rewarding one, but, as with any other job, there are essential skills and attributes that you will need in order to succeed and to make the most out of your time and your client’s. Be an excellent listener Although this may seem obvious, being able to really listen to someone is essential to being a successful counsellor. If you’re not fully engaged with your client then you won’t be able to understand their situation and provide them with...

Are you tired of working 9 to 5? Maybe you fancy a career in education but not sure where to start? Or you want to go to work every day knowing that you’re valued and making a difference? If so then read on for the top reasons why working as a teaching assistant may be for you… 1) It is an incredibly rewarding job The primary role of a teaching assistant is to make sure that children are making the most of their time at school, both academically and personally.  You will act...

Are you thinking about becoming a foot health care practitioner? Time to think outside the box shoe.  Doing an online course in foot health opens up many opportunities which can fit in around family or work life.  There are some creative ways to increase your market after qualifying. The opportunities are as far-reaching as your imagination and determination. Here are 5 of our favourites.   1. Make house calls Nothing new here but...

Meet the superheroes of the tech world: web designers and web developers. Designers and developers are behind every website you visit, every app you use and the social media platforms that keep us all connected. They keep the internet and technology user-friendly across a variety of platforms, such as mobile and tablet, which in turn safeguards businesses and the economy in our increasingly tech-based world. But what actually is the difference between web design and web development? And...

With over 6,000 fitness centres sprouting up all over the UK, job opportunities in personal training are endless. But while most personal trainers know their stuff, some don’t know their lats from their glutes. Becoming a personal trainer is not as easy as it looks... Now, you may think the quality of your personal trainer (PT) doesn't matter that much, but you'd be wrong. Not only will having a poor PT impact on your confidence and progress in the gym, but it could also do...

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, which is why it is vital that the correct support is...

Are you thinking of becoming an early years teacher? While your online qualification will equip you with everything you need, the task of all early years is not as easy as A, B, C! The real trick is to create straightforward lessons and help to develop the child at this vital time. While early years lessons may seem simple to some, you do have to understand the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Your online course can help you understand EYFS in fine detail but...