learndirect Blog

One of the great things about distance learning is the ability to study while holding down a full-time job. It overcomes the logistical headaches that come with college courses that require attend classes during the day or in the evening. Between work and family life, that can put a real strain on you and your relationships. Especially as you’ll also need to squeeze in hours of study between classes too. This is especially problematic if you have children who are too young to be...

Teaching is arguably one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. Whether in a primary or secondary setting, teachers shape minds and inspire children to achieve. They nurture pupils and students through the core elements of education through to gaining their qualifications. It can’t be overstated how important teachers are to the future of society. With a ‘severe’ teacher shortage (at time of writing) there has never been a better time to make a career change. According to...

Perhaps a better question is why are you considering an online course? Online courses are an effective way of gaining qualifications while striking that all important balance with work and home life. However, if you don’t know what you want to study or why, then taking the leap may seem a bit too much like taking a risk. Because online learning is a commitment both in terms of time and money, it’s important to make sure you have a clear outcome or objective in mind before you...

The human mind is remarkable, not least because it is akin to an organic supercomputer for its sheer processing power. And ability to run something as complex as our bodies without any conscious thought from us. More than that though, it possesses a deeply complex psyche that forms our personality. Including all our neuroses, anxieties, and other quirks. But for all we know about the human mind, there is a treasure trove yet to be discovered. And even the theories around what we do...

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. This is 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...

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,...

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 institutions 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...