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Things to check when buying an online course
Online learning has grown rapidly in recent years. So, it’s important to know what to look for when purchasing an online course.
We have compiled this handy checklist to help you make the best decision and avoid any potential problems further down the line. There are plenty of rogue institutions around.
This advice 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 practices 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.
Accredited courses backed by 20+ years of proven success
Join thousands who’ve upgraded their careers since 2003.
Read the success stories
Real success stories from real people
Our courses have outstanding track records in helping people find work, establish themselves as successful freelancers and generate new income streams. They’re also used by numerous respected organisations for staff training purposes.
CMP graduate lands Harvard University role
CMP proofreading and editing course graduate, Felicity Harrison, has landed three very impressive job roles since starting out as a freelancer. Felicity, who graduated from her CMP last year, is now working as a [...]
Emma builds career writing for the UK’s leading publications
Completing the Copywriting course at the College of Media and Publishing was a turning point in Emma Drew’s career. Gaining accreditation as a certified copywriter led to opportunities to write for a wide [...]
New freelance business launch for Michelle
Since completing three accredited online courses with CMP, graduate Michele Cant has successfully launched her own freelance business, MDC Editproof, offering proofreading, editing, copywriting and webwriting services to clients across the UK. After studying [...]
Proofreading course graduate lands first paid job
Successful CMP proofreading and editing course student, Lucinda Hennessy, has landed her first freelance job since completing her course four weeks ago. She told us recently: "I am really pleased so thought I would [...]
David launches Devon proofreading
Proofreading and editing course student, David Kingdon now runs his own freelance business from his home in Devon. Devon proofreading offers proofreading, copyediting and copywriting services in and around the Devon area. David [...]
New freelance proofreading website launch for Sarah
CMP proofreading course graduate, Sarah Groves, has officially launched her freelance website to showcase her newly acquired services. Check it out Her website recently went live and is already beginning to generate interest [...]
CMP graduate launches proofreading and editing business
CMP proofreading and editing course graduate, Debbie Sewter, has successfully launched her own freelance business called Lexicon Proofreading. See her website Debbie, who completed our course with us recently, is available to proofread literature, [...]
Rachel’s copywriting business takes off
Copywriting course learner, Rachel Nottingham got in touch with us recently to tell us her copywriting business is thriving! Rachel chose to study with us in the hope of switching careers. She was an [...]
Specsavers uses our proofreading course
Yes, really. Specsavers - the optical legends have had staff complete our proofreading and editing course. Now, we’re not saying they needed help seeing typos… but let’s just say it takes more than [...]
New proofreading business launch for Carol
CMP proofreading and editing course graduate, Carol Ashford has launched her own website, offering professional copyediting and proofreading services to businesses and individuals of all industries. Check it out Carol spent many years [...]
Vodafone uses our copywriting course for staff training
Vodafone are using our copywriting course to train a team of seven members of their marketing team. They are one of many organisations who are using this highly effective course to develop their [...]
Claudia puts her new skills into practice
CMP copywriting course and SEO content writing course graduate, Claudia Kozeny-Pelling is putting her new skills to good use! Claudia, who is fluent in both English and German, runs a freelance business which [...]
Freelance copywriting career launch for Charlotte
CMP copywriting course student, Charlotte Boyars, has launched her own freelance business since completing her course. See her website Charlotte has used her newly learned skills to help build a thriving copywriting business, [...]
Arsenal staff members kick off their copywriting course
Arsenal Football Club are using our copywriting course to train members of their marketing team. Copywriting is a very in-demand skill these days, especially among people who work in marketing orientated roles. Arsenal are [...]
The Times staff members book our copywriting course
The Times has recently booked some members of its staff on to our copywriting course. They are one of many organisations who are using this practical copywriting course to develop their employees' writing skills. [...]
The British Medical Journal uses our proofreading course
The British Medical Journal booked several members of its staff on to our proofreading and copyediting course recently. The BMJ wanted to improve some of their staff members' accuracy when writing in the workplace. [...]
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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 practices 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
