The Open University/Distance Learning

That does seem like an awful lot! What course are you wanting to do? x

I want to do a diploma in business or business management ...

I would advise checking local colleges first. They often do night courses combined with distance learning and I found it a cheap and quick way to get my HNC & Diploma while working. I then went on to uni at night and converted to a BA Business Studies in under two years, so 3.5 years all in FoM the start and it cost a fraction of the price!

I would check your local college. I'm doing an hnd on Saturday mornings as well as working two jobs so it is doable, I get a saas grant for £500 a year which means I only pay about £80 odds a year.

Can I ask what courses you did and why you chose it and if you think it has helped/benefitted?

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I did the hnc and am doing the hnc Administration and Information Technology. I'm not in this area of work and to be honest I did it because it was the only thing I could do without cutting down on work. I enjoy it and I think I'm quite good at it. Although there are no jobs up here in this area so I couldn't say whether it's helped sorry!

I did a HNC in Management, purely because it was the only business course which they offered as a fast-track, meaning that I could complete it in the evening, but in only a year, which is how long it would normally take full time. It was tough going, but I am impatient and the pace suited me. I then carried on to Diploma in Management, as it was only another £600 or so, and was a year of distance learning. I then went to a local Uni with my Diploma, and they told me which modules I needed to take in order to obtain a degree in Business Studies. These were all done via evening and distance learning. I would have perhaps chosen differently if there were more options available to me, I would have liked to specialise in Finance or HR. However, my experience is that evening courses are few and far between, so I picked the courses that best enabled me to get a degree (any degree) at night while working full time. My long term goal was to use that degree to do the PGDE to become a teacher, so the degree specialism was less important to me.

I'm really confused as to what to do. I'm currently covering a secretary/PA role. They are going to be advertising this role out soon and want me to apply - the Prof I will be working for has basically told me that If I apply, I will get the job (it will offer no more money, but will offer a permanent contract) and that if i stay with him for 2 years, during that 2 years, he will pay for me to do a HND in business/business management/business and marketing..

I feel that is a great opportunity for me and can't really pass it up as I can't afford to put myself through a HND on my own! My only thoughts are that I will be able to manage it? He has said that if days are 'quiet' I could study at my desk etc etc.

Also - we were hoping after next summer to start trying for a family so will I manage with this in mind also?

I'm probably over thinking this - as I do most things!!

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A HNC is only one step up from a higher, a HND is only one more step up again. I'm confident you will do fine. At the end of the day all you can do is try. If you don't do it you will never have a HND, if you try then you might. Stop over thinking it ?