Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Designed to make things clearer
- Everything you need to know before enrolling
- Clear, honest answers
- Support if you’re unsure at any stage
What our students say
Your questions answered
Got questions about our online courses? You’ll find answers to the most common ones below – covering everything from tutor support and payment options to certifications and getting started as a freelancer.
When you register for one of our online courses, you receive your own account in our Online Learning Area. There, you can access your course materials, contact your tutor and complete your assignments.
Your learning materials are presented as:
- Microsoft Word documents.
- Ebooks or pdfs.
- Links to videos, podcasts and other websites.
- Short practical exercises to help sharpen your skills.
- An overall final assignment based on a real-world industry brief.
- Online study is flexible. You can enrol when you like and begin when you are ready. Please watch the video above to see more about how our courses are delivered and assessed.
Yes. We provide a 14 day money back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if the course isn’t suitable or you change your mind. You should receive your money back within five working days, no questions asked.
Yes. Organisations like Seetec Pluss, ReAct, Shaw Trust and the Department of Work and Pensions have provided financial support for hundreds of our learners in hardship. To apply, contact one of them directly.
If you meet their criteria, they will get in touch with us to start the process.
At the end of your course you will receive the Certificate of Achievement, which is endorsed under the Quality Licence Scheme, and a Learner Unit Summary, which lists the subjects you have studied.
You will also receive the accredited CMP diploma, which is recognised in the UK and overseas.
Yes. Our courses are recognised in the copywriting, proofreading, social media, SEO and publishing sectors. Our learners have gone on to get great jobs, and many organisations use our courses for staff training.
Yes. We have students in more than 100 countries, and are accredited by the European Association for Distance Learning. The EADL promotes excellence in worldwide online study, so international students can enrol with confidence.
Yes. We comply with the very highest external standards. We are:
- Accredited by the European Association for Distance Learning and the CPD Standards Office.
- Endorsed under the Quality Licence Scheme.
Each organisation has its own standards, code of practice and complaints procedure, so you can enrol with complete confidence.
We are also registered by the UK government.
We started in 2003 with just one course and one student and are now one of the UK’s most successful online colleges. We have helped thousands of people learn new skills, and also work with organisations all over the world.
Yes. Many of our learners are beginners. We deliver our courses in simple, straightforward stages, and you’ll have a personal course tutor to help you every step of the way.
Yes. Many of our learners use our certifications on their CV to apply for jobs, gain promotions and demonstrate their credibility in the freelance world.
Yes. Each course has a comprehensive lesson on finding freelance work, and tells you how to get started, what to charge, which agencies to join and how to market yourself to attract clients.
We also offer full support after you have finished, and provide expert advice on entering the freelance market.
Yes. Many organisations, including Arsenal FC, BT, Disney, Domino’s Pizza, John Lewis, Vodafone and Waitrose use our accredited courses for staff training.
Our courses are flexible, so you can fit them around your work commitments and apply your new skills to your job. You will also have lifetime access to the course materials, and refer back to them if you need to.
Our courses are flexible, so you can study at your own pace and fit your course around your lifestyle.
On average, most people who study for four hours a week usually complete their course within four months. But you can work as quickly or slowly as you like. There are no deadlines or time constraints.
We are one of the only online colleges that offer unlimited tutor support. So, you can contact your tutor whenever you need help, and will usually get a reply the same working day.
Our tutors also offer careers advice, and will help you find work, write your CV and covering letters, prepare for job interviews, and much more!
Yes, all of our tutors are active industry professionals, and still work in their sectors. You can find out more them here.
Yes. If you fail an assignment, your tutor will show you where you went wrong, and what to do to pass.
Once you enrol on a course, you don’t have to start straight away. Our courses are flexible, so you can begin studying when you are ready.
Yes. You can pay for any of our courses in monthly instalments.
You can enrol on our courses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive your login details and Enrolment pack, and can start immediately, if you want to.
You can enrol on a course by visiting the course page, and clicking any of the “Buy this course” buttons. This will bring up an enrolment form for you to complete.
Find your course
Enquire
Not sure which course is right for you?
Our expert course advisors are happy to help you choose the right course and will reply the same working day. Get in touch
You can also read our quick checklist before enrolling.
How to choose the right online course
Online learning has grown rapidly in recent years, so it’s important to know what to look for when choosing an online course.
We’ve compiled this handy checklist to help you make an informed decision and avoid potential problems further down the line. Unfortunately, there are plenty of rogue institutions around.
This guidance is accurate and objective, and follows our accreditors’ marketing rules.
1. Accreditation
It’s important to check that any online learning provider has been externally accredited. Alarm bells should ring if it hasn’t.
2. Awarding body
Remember to ask a learning provider if their certifications have been endorsed by a recognised awarding body.
3. UK Register of Learning Providers
Is the provider listed on the government’s UKRLP? You can check here
4. Quality endorsement
Find out if the learning provider’s course materials, tutoring, and practises have been independently assessed for quality.
5. Expiry dates
Check how long you have to complete your online course.
6. Tutor experience
Find out who the tutors are, and their experience. Not all providers list this information on their websites, so you may need to email them and ask.
7. Tutor support
Remember to ask how much tutor time you get. A lot of course providers limit it.
8. Tutor marked assignments
Check how many assignments are personally marked by a tutor.
9. Ongoing support
Ask whether the provider offers support after you’ve finished your course. Some online providers provide careers advice, and help you find jobs or get started as a freelance.
Also, find out how much they charge for post-course mentoring, and how long it is available for.
10. Personal replies and response times
It’s important to check how long the provider takes to reply to an email or an enquiry, and whether you receive a personal reply, or just an auto-generated response.
It’s also important to find out their typical turnaround times on marked assignments and tutor queries.
11. Reviews
It’s helpful to check what previous learners thought about their time studying with the provider. Check how many reviews they have, and whether they are legitimate and verifiable.
12. Success stories
Ask if the provider can give you examples of job successes, and of how their courses have helped people further their careers or ambitions.
13. Clients
Check if the provider’s courses are used by respected businesses and organisations such as government, charities etc.
14. Active social media accounts
Find out if the provider has active social media accounts, and how many followers / page likes they have.
15. Check the telephone number
Most online course providers have a landline number listed on their website. Call it, to see if it’s answered.
16. History
Check how long the provider has been established for. The search feature on Companies House is usually the best way to attain this information.
Need help choosing the right course? Speak to one of our expert course advisors.
Call us: (+44) 01243 930353 | Send us an email
