Studying for HNC/D whilst in fulltime employment
Discussion
Has anybody here studied for an HNC/D whilst in fulltime employment? It is something I really need to do if I want to progress my career. My main problem is I will have to do it all off my own back and in my own time. I won't get any help at all from my employers as they know as soon as I have my qualifications I will be off. I also work offshore, abroad and all round the country as and when needed so I would really struggle to make the 2 evening classes a week, every week over the course of each year.
Is it possible for somebody in a situation like mine to study for an HNC/D? I'm not too clued up at the minute so any information etc would be great. If it makes any difference I am based in Aberdeen.
Thanks.
Is it possible for somebody in a situation like mine to study for an HNC/D? I'm not too clued up at the minute so any information etc would be great. If it makes any difference I am based in Aberdeen.
Thanks.
what are you aiming to study Easty?
as russ says Open University is a possible option, I know a fair few guys offshore who do courses from there, i'm fitting mine in around full time (office based)
or if its 'work' related have you looked at http://www.petroleumopenlearning.com/ a colleague of mine did a few of their modules for work & found them handy.
as russ says Open University is a possible option, I know a fair few guys offshore who do courses from there, i'm fitting mine in around full time (office based)
or if its 'work' related have you looked at http://www.petroleumopenlearning.com/ a colleague of mine did a few of their modules for work & found them handy.
trix-a-belle said:
what are you aiming to study Easty?
as russ says Open University is a possible option, I know a fair few guys offshore who do courses from there, i'm fitting mine in around full time (office based)
or if its 'work' related have you looked at http://www.petroleumopenlearning.com/ a colleague of mine did a few of their modules for work & found them handy.
Either Mechanical Engineering, Electical Engineering, Instrumentation or Process Engineering. I have looked at COLU - a techincal college based in teeside and you can do these course via distance learning through them but the costs is massive. Circa £300 per module. It is work related, but it's for progression. I don't need the quals for my current job and my employers would know I'm planning on leaving if they knew I was doing it.as russ says Open University is a possible option, I know a fair few guys offshore who do courses from there, i'm fitting mine in around full time (office based)
or if its 'work' related have you looked at http://www.petroleumopenlearning.com/ a colleague of mine did a few of their modules for work & found them handy.
I'm currently a quarter of the way through an HNC in Electrical Engineering via distance learning through Logis-Tech. It's very similar in cost to COLU at £300 per unit and £280 for those which do not require a textbook.
It is quite a difficult way to learn and you have to be quite dedicated which is easier said than done at times. I often work away from home spending several nights in hotels so the books go with me and I try my best to get up early(ish) at the weekends for a couple of hours morning study.
I aim for about 10 hours study per week which seems to get me through the coursework at a reasonable rate.
It is expensive at £3k+ for an HNC but you can pay as you go per unit which helps spread the cost.
Edit to add below:
You are required to have an industrial supervisor, this is the person they will send the exams to and who will invigilate the exams making sure you don't cheat or run over the time limit. I'm pretty sure most folk just take them home and do them in their own time with the books open in front of them
I think COLU operate the same but you would need to check. If you don't want your work to know then this isn't ideal.
It is quite a difficult way to learn and you have to be quite dedicated which is easier said than done at times. I often work away from home spending several nights in hotels so the books go with me and I try my best to get up early(ish) at the weekends for a couple of hours morning study.
I aim for about 10 hours study per week which seems to get me through the coursework at a reasonable rate.
It is expensive at £3k+ for an HNC but you can pay as you go per unit which helps spread the cost.
Edit to add below:
You are required to have an industrial supervisor, this is the person they will send the exams to and who will invigilate the exams making sure you don't cheat or run over the time limit. I'm pretty sure most folk just take them home and do them in their own time with the books open in front of them
I think COLU operate the same but you would need to check. If you don't want your work to know then this isn't ideal.
Edited by Laplace on Tuesday 8th November 23:01
I am currently studying for an HNC in electrical engineering at aberdeen college, twice a week on a Tuesday and Thursday evening, 6-9pm. Its very interesting and I felt the same as yourself, that if I didn't do it I wouldn't further my career.
It is fairly difficult to commit the time to do it though as I have a 4 month old amongst other commitments, but I just keep thinking it'll be worth it.
With regards to being away alot, I think there are a few guys in my class that work offshore and if they miss any assessments they just do the resit a few weeks later.
It is fairly difficult to commit the time to do it though as I have a 4 month old amongst other commitments, but I just keep thinking it'll be worth it.
With regards to being away alot, I think there are a few guys in my class that work offshore and if they miss any assessments they just do the resit a few weeks later.
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