Q When can I start?
A You can start most courses at any time. Once we have received your pre-course assessment we will contact you regarding your enrolment, prior to forwarding your details to your dedicated home study tutor. Once you have agreed your requirements with your tutor, we can help you complete the enrolment procedure and order your materials for you. For most subjects, the start date is flexible. You will need to consider however the date which you wish to study towards, including final examination dates, and will need to complete your home study course within 18 months.
Q What is my first step?
Your step-by-step process to begin study is:
1) Contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 01756 693880
2) Complete and return your Pre-Course Assessment. Our subject tutor will look at your assessment to check course suitability.
3) Once you've been accepted for a course, we send you a Distance Learning Enrolment Form to complete and return, and ask you pay for your course. Payment can be made either by calling 01756 791411 and paying by debit/credit card, or making a cheque payable to 'Craven College' and posting to Distance Learning, Craven College, Aireville Campus, Skipton, N Yorks, BD23 1US
4) Once you have completed enrolment we send your study materials, your tutor will contact you and you can begin learning!
Q How long do I have to complete the course?
A We ask you to complete your course of study within 18 months of your start date, although many courses can be completed in a shorter timescale. Please note that most exam dates are set by the national exam timetable. Please check your exam dates with your Distance Learning Tutor or Co-Ordinator.
A Yes. Entry to all distance learning courses require learners to complete a short pre-course assessment. This allows the student to get a feel for how home study will work, to outline their objectives and, if any, concerns they may have about the course. This also provides the tutor with a small insight into whether the course is suitable for you.
Q Do I need to buy other materials?
A Usually all course materials required are included within the course fee. You may wish to talk to your tutor about additional support material or text books that they can recommend.
Q Are examination costs included?
A Yes, the course information provided will details the examination costs for your course. These need to be paid at enrolment to the college, fees are then forwarded to the appropriate examination body.
Q Are there any hidden extra costs?
A All costs are detailed on the information provided. This may include Association membership, examination fees, simulation fees, etc.
Q Do I need to come to college?
A No. You can choose to access tutor support by telephone, e-mail, by post or by occasional face-to-face tutorials. You will need to discuss with your tutor whether you plan to take your final examinations with the college or whether you wish to take them as an external candidate elsewhere. In some Science courses, you may be required to come to college to complete assessed practical work – please ask your tutor about this.
Q Do I need to take examinations with the college?
A For foreign language courses we recommend that you take your examinations here in Skipton, as the oral & listening elements require tutor assistance. For other subjects you may wish to make your own arrangements through a local education centre. Craven College does not accept external candidates.
Q Where is Craven College?
A Skipton, 25 miles from Leeds/20 miles from Bradford, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Q What can I expect from my tutor?
A You will have a dedicated tutor for your course. You will be able to discuss support arrangements with your tutor during your induction. Your learning agreement with college indicates what you can expect from your tutor, and what the college will expect of you as a learner.
Q Do I need a computer to complete my course?
A In most cases, access to a computer may be beneficial. You may wish to contact your tutor via e-mail rather than by telephone, and you may have access to the college Intranet for further support material. Assignments do not need to be submitted electronically.
Q What study materials will I receive?
A This varies depending on the course studied, but generally we offer a Distance Learning Study Pack and/or Textbook; access to the Distance Learning VLE; and/or elearning package; and additional learning materials. You also will have regular contact and support from your Distance Learning tutor.
Q How long does a course take?
A This will vary from course to course, and learner to learner. However, you should plan to take no longer than 18 months to complete a course. If your course has examinations, you will need to discuss with your tutor the examination date that is most appropriate for you, within this timescale.
Q When do my materials arrive?
A Unless we hold your materials in stock, these will be ordered for you once you complete enrolment. You should then allow up to 3 weeks for materials to arrive. Once you have paid for your course, your tutor will be informed and will contact you regarding your course of study.
Q Do I need to be a member of the NUS?
A No, as a student of the college you are able to access the college services available, but do not need to be a member of a student union to do so.
Q Is there a discount if I enrol to more than one course?
A No. We keep costs to a minimum so there is no opportunity to discount courses.
Q Is there a limit to the number of courses to which I can enrol?
A Craven College would not normally recommend that you enrol on more than 2 A-levels and no more than 3 GCSEs at any one time, due to the number of hours of study required.
Q What happens if I am struggling with distance learning?
A In the first instance, contact your tutor who will be able to give you advice and guidance. If you are close enough to the college, you may wish to consider transferring to a taught class – bear in mind that all taught classes have published start and end dates.
Q Is there anything else I should know?
A The range and specification of courses we offer may change from time to time. We will keep our website as up to date as possible and our Distance Learning Co-Ordinator will advise any changes when you make your initial enquiry.
Q Where can I obtain further information?
A If you have any further queries please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or telephone 01756 693880.
