Student Stories

How do you feel about the resources available to you, the training platform itself and the support provided so far?

The platform is easy to use: I have no problems uploading sheets to the portal and the email is stress-free. My tutor is quick to reply and mark my assignments and is really helpful in her feedback. She provides constructive criticism and tells me where I have missed the mark so I know where I should be aiming for and how to improve.

How has the course benefitted you so far and how is it preparing you for your future plans?

I am a single parent and I work in two jobs, so going back to college would not have been a viable option for me. Therefore, this online course is enabling me to work towards a better future, in a better-paid career that I am passionate about, without sacrificing my other responsibilities.

I am currently training to be a teaching assistant at Level 3 so that I can work towards becoming a HLTA in the future and, eventually, a SENCO or a teaching assistant at a specialist school.

How has the online nature of the course helped you study?

I can study in small pockets of time throughout the day and also for longer periods when I can. If I am having a tough day at work and struggling to focus, I can choose the questions I want to focus on, upload and save them and come back to the harder ones when I have more energy. This means that my time isn't wasted and that I'm not burning myself out all the time.

What advice would you give to future students?

Read the questions thoroughly, don't rush through the study materials, make use of your tutor when you need them and don't panic. You can do this. If you put the work in you will get there and achieve what you need to.

How would you describe your learndirect study experience so far?

At times, I was worried I had bitten off more than I could chew but studying with learndirect has given me the confidence to go for things I wouldn't have done before. It's also made me realise that I already have some of the experience and personal traits needed for my dream job. Plus, the study on child development has helped to clarify some things that I had worried about when raising my own children and from my childhood, which has meant that the course has had another unexpected positive, personal effect.

How do you feel about the resources & support you received and the training platform itself?

The resources were plentiful and the structure of the course was very explanatory. My assessor guided me throughout the course when I needed help.

How has the course benefitted you and what have you gone on to do since achieving your qualification?

After finishing my course, I achieved a Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3. Studying this has allowed me to change my career path and gain the knowledge needed to carry out my role as a care assistant. It has also opened up many more opportunities for the future.

How did the online nature of the course help you study?

Studying online suited my lifestyle as I was working full-time alongside my studies. Therefore, being able to study at my own pace was very helpful.

What advice would you give to future students?

I would advise future students to read the structure of your course before you start studying so that you can manage your time appropriately. I would also advise to believe in yourself and realise that you can achieve anything you set out to do. If you ever get stuck, get in touch with your assessor or tutor as you will receive the help and support you need to succeed.

Overall, how would you describe your learndirect study experience?

Since day one, I really enjoyed my experience with learndirect. It was always very easy to get in touch and receive the answers to all my questions. I am actually now enrolled on another learndirect course that is related to my new career path. I would like to thank all the staff and particularly my assessor, Katrina, for all the help and support. It has been a great year and I am now working in a new job as a result!

How do you feel about the resources & support you received and the training platform itself?

I really enjoyed my Access to HE Diploma in Nursing. I did not have any previous experience in nursing and, knowing that I wanted to study it at university, I knew that this course would set me up and give me an insight into my future career. The online platform for learndirect is fantastic. It is easy to use and the manager responsible for the Access to Higher Education Diplomas has been fantastic. I found the material easy to understand and was able to get a good grasp of the topic before I did my own research.

How has the course benefitted you and what have you gone on to do since achieving your qualification?

I am now studying to become an adult nurse, and that wouldn’t have been possible without completing the Access to HE Diploma in Nursing first.

How did the online nature of the course help you study?

Having the resources online was brilliant for me. I was travelling for 3 months at the beginning of my course and it was so helpful to do the course at my own pace. It also brought some routine and structure to my days.

What advice would you give to future students?

If you’re considering enrolling onto an Access to Higher Education Diploma, but are still trying to decide which provider to choose, I wholeheartedly recommend learndirect. It was worth every penny and it was one of the best investments I have ever made.

How do you feel about the resources & support you received and the training platform itself?

I found the resources very helpful and the course allowed me to develop my skills and conduct my own research as well. The training platform was great and its set up helped to boost my learning further. By being able to progress through the course material straight away after sending off an assignment, I was able to keep learning without having to wait for past work to be marked.

The support I received from my tutors was very good too, and it allowed me to complete my qualification in time for my university application deadline.

How has the course benefitted you and what have you gone on to do since achieving your qualification?

This course allowed me to progress on to the next stage of my education – embarking on a midwifery degree at university.

How did the online nature of the course help you study?

The online nature of the course made studying a lot easier, in my opinion. It allowed me to work full time and earn money, as well as study without compromising on either. I was able to learn around my personal and work life, which allowed me to keep a good work-life balance.

What advice would you give to future students?

I would recommend starting sooner rather than later, especially if you are applying to university. This will give you the peace of mind that you have enough time to complete the course in your own time to get to where you want to be next. It will also help to keep the study process stress-free!

Overall, how would you describe your learndirect study experience?

Overall, my experience of studying with learndirect has been a positive one. It has allowed me to progress onto the next stage of education that I needed in order to pursue my career in midwifery. It has also given me the confidence and independent study skills that I need for university, as well as the knowledge that I need for my degree.

How do you feel about the resources available to you, the training platform itself and the support provided so far?

The training platform itself is clear and straightforward to use. It is also accessible through my mobile device which I have found particularly useful.

My tutors and course manager have been excellent in supporting me and guiding me through my course. I had decided to switch pathways in the middle of my course and I was provided with advice and guidance to ensure the pathway I was changing to was relevant for my future plans.

How has the course benefitted you so far and how is it preparing you for your future plans?

Once I had left school, I believed that going to university would be impossible. After spending a few years working full-time in an industry that wasn’t for me, I came across Access to Higher Education Diplomas with learndirect and decided to enrol. This course has not only given me a more positive outlook on education, but it has also provided me with the opportunity to attend university in the hope of pursuing my dream career.

How has the online nature of the course helped you study?

Due to the online nature of the course, I have the flexibility to work as well as studying, which would not have been possible whilst attending a local college.

What advice would you give to future students?

My advice to future students would be to ask for help when you are not sure of something. Studying can be challenging but the support and assistance is there, so make the most of it!

How would you describe your learndirect study experience so far?

Prior to embarking on a course with learndirect, I was sceptical about distance learning but overall my experience has exceeded expectations.

How do you feel about the resources & support you received and the training platform itself?

The resources provided were excellent. The course was structured in a way where it felt like I was going through at a reasonable pace, whilst learning a lot from each module too. The combined resources of videos on the topics, along with the recommendation for further reading, helped cement what I had learned. This allowed me to look back with ease when doing assignments to make sure I was on the right track.

The learndirect platform was great and very easy to navigate. Uploading assignments was a breeze too. I never experienced any problems uploading my assignments and even the large-sized videos I had to upload went smoothly as well.

The support provided was the best I have ever experienced in my academic life. The course director was amazing in her support of me. Due to an unexpected illness, I missed a month of study, but through her and the team's hard work, I managed to get my course done in time so I could go to university. The support from learndirect is, hands down, one of the best.

How have you benefitted from the course and what have you gone on to do since achieving your qualification?

The course has benefitted me greatly academically as well as personally. I felt I learnt so much about social work and all the interlocking parts of it, like sociology and psychology. It was one of the smoothest learning experiences I have had. Also, the study skills I took from the course have helped me a great deal, as I am now writing essays much better and clearer than I have ever done before. Plus, my grammar, which I struggled with in the past, has improved as well.

I am now at university having just completed my first trimester and it is going very well. Since I have a good background in social work from the course, I feel like I have an advantage over some of my other classmates and have found it easier to complete my assignments this trimester.

How has the online nature of the course helped you study?

The online nature of this course has been one of the greatest advantages of studying with learndirect. Due to my Asperger’s Syndrome, I did not get on well in a normal class setting at A-levels and didn’t perform well the first time around as a result. By doing a course via learndirect, there was no need to go into a class environment, which made it far less stressful as I felt more able to learn from the comfort of my own home. I would not have been able to do so well on this Access to HE Diploma had I been in a normal classroom environment.

What advice would you give to future students?

My advice to future students is to not underestimate the importance of the study skills section of the course. You may find it does not relate to your Access to HE Diploma, but it is a big help when you move on to the bigger assignments in your course.

Some other advice is to enjoy the course. It may get stressful at times and you may feel like you’re struggling, but keep going. The reward is worth it. From your tutors to the course director, there are plenty of people to contact for help. If you feel overwhelmed, just remember you’re not alone in this.

Overall, how would you describe your learndirect study experience?

My learning experience with learndirect was amazing. If I ever need to take any more courses to expand my knowledge or take a new career path, I would pick learndirect again in a heartbeat.

I developed so much in the year with learndirect that I can honestly say I am a different person now than I was before. I am now at university doing the course I love and it can only be attributed to the knowledge and help I received from learndirect.

I am currently studying a Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course and it’s going very well. The course’s learning resources and study materials provide the right amount of information and they have been of great help so far.

I also have a great tutor who always replies promptly to me and is a huge help whenever I need the support. Overall, I’m finding learndirect great. You can pay monthly and they also allow you to complete the work in your own time. For those with children or other priorities, I would definitely recommend learndirect. You have the flexibility to get on with your day-to-day life whilst you study and gain a qualification.

How do you feel about the resources & support you received and the training platform itself?

The resources in each unit were a very good starting point, giving a good indication of what topics I then needed to cover by further research.

As I was working full time, distance learning was ideal. The flexibility of it meant that I could fit studying around my job. Initially, I was concerned about not having any face-to-face contact, but the assessors and the programme manager were only an email away if ever I needed anything.

How have you benefited from the course and what have you gone on to do since achieving your qualification?

Without this course, I wouldn’t have been able to consider applying for university. As a mature student who has not been in full-time study for many years, the Access to HE Diploma was the necessary stepping stone for me to go to university. Along with subject-based modules, the course also has units that teach you how to research different university campuses, put together a personal statement and even keep on track of your university application.

I was very lucky to gain the qualification I needed to be accepted for a degree in Paramedic Science at St George’s University, London.

How has the online nature of the course helped your study?

The online nature of the course has helped me to plan and manage my time better and be an independent learner. I’ve also learnt how to cite and reference work, which are key skills needed for higher education. The course gives you the option to try out and reflect on different study and planning techniques to see which ones suit you best.

For the course’s earlier units, it was helpful to have the option to submit a draft of your work, as this meant any changes could be implemented before submitting your final work.

What advice would you give to future students?

I would advise to not lose focus of where you would like to be, to just do it and to not give up! Even when you feel it’s too much on top of everything, there is always someone to help. I also suggest:

• Planning to help manage your deadlines. Even if your deadlines change, planning them gave my study structure and an overview of what I had to do.
• If you don’t understand a topic, looking at simpler resources and working your way up can really help you to get to grips with it.
• Gathering books and resources from early on is a great way to have everything you need at hand during the course.
• Organising your work into folders on your desktop so that each unit is easy to access when you need it.

Overall, how would you describe your experience studying with learndirect?

I would recommend learndirect as a great way to begin your learning journey.