What do you want to achieve?

Are you:

• looking for a particular qualification;
• looking for particular skills, not qualifications;
• wanting to change career;
• or just interested in the subject?

Good providers will offer advice on qualifications and careers.    But they also want to sell you a course.    So get advice from elsewhere if you can (see Further Advice)

What qualification will the course lead to?    Is that qualification widely known and respected?

Qualifications and certificates vary considerably.    They may be widely-respected.    They may be almost worthless.

Is the qualification awarded by an independent body, or by the provider itself?    Does it recognise a level of competence, or simply that you have completed the course?

ODL QC accreditation guarantees a good service; it does not endorse qualifications.

Is the awarding body, or the qualification, well known and respected by employers?

In some subjects (like alternative therapies), there can be competing awarding bodies.    Words like National, International, or University, in the title of an organisation do not guarantee quality or respectability.

Some professions require certain qualifications before you can practice.    For other professions there may not be any requirement, but certain courses may be respected more than others.

Is there a professional body (e.g. a Chartered Institute) that can advise on the qualifications necessary for your chosen profession?

Will there be an exam at the end?

When and where will you be able to sit the exam?    Distance learning students can have difficulty in finding a venue.    Most providers will help, but some may leave it up to you.

Will the syllabus be the same when you want to sit the exam?    If in doubt, ask the awarding body, not just the provider.

Are there time limits?

Do you have to finish the course, or take the exam, by a certain date?    Can you re-take the exam if you fail?    Or are there restrictions?