Online Learning - Self-sufficiency, horticulture, agriculture, psychology, IT and more

If you are unable to find the right course, you can design your own.

ACS Distance Education offers around 700 short courses or modules (usually around 100 hours in duration). These modules can be taken as stand alone courses, or they can be combined to create a formal qualification that meets your own very specific needs or interests.

SELF DESIGNED QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

	Proficiency Award	Certificate	Advanced Certificate	Foundation Diploma	Associate Diploma	Diploma	Advanced Diploma
Duration	500 hours	600 hours	900 hours	1000 hours	1500 hours	2100 hours	2500 hours
Requirements	3 modules; plus 200 hours of work experience or industry meetings.	6 modules.	8 modules; plus 100 hours of industry meetings.	10 modules	14 modules, normally including Research Project I; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.	20 modules, normally including Research Project I and II; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.	24 modules, normally including Research Projects I, II and III; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.
Pre-requisites	A reputable certificate or higher qualification; or significant industry experience which demonstrates a foundation knowledge in the subject; or equivalent.	Year 10; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 9; or equivalent.	Year 11; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 10; or a reputable certificate; or equivalent.	Year 12, or 1 year of full time work following year 11; or a reputable certificate; or equivalent.	Year 12, or 1 year of full time work following year 11; or a reputable certificate; or equivalent.	Year 12; or a reputable certificate; or equivalent.	Year 12; or a reputable certificate (of 600 hrs); or equivalent.
Fee Code	PA	CT	AC	FD	AS	DI	AD

Selection of Subjects/Modules and Work Experience Available

Standard ACS Modules

Any short course of 100 hours duration, offered by ACS, where the course code begins with "B" or "V"; can be included in any of the above qualifications.

Exceptions are courses designated specifically as “hobby courses”, or as not being relevant to a commercial situation. These include: Landscaping Home Gardens, Home Garden Expert Course, Home Vegetable Growing, Home Fruit Growing, Herbs (basic Course), Efficient Writing, Hobby Photography.

Industry Meetings

To meet this requirement, the student must attend meetings such as conferences, seminars, trade shows, exhibitions, study tours, committee meetings, or any other industry events which might be considered as contributing toward their awareness and education of industry. Proof must be shown of attendance. This may be in the form of references or letters from the organisers of the event, by supplying a written report and photographs; or by any other reasonable method.

Work Experience

This must be shown to be both relevant to the qualification; and a valuable learning experience. Work that is menial or unchallenging may not be approved. A reference from an employer, client or colleague must be supplied, describing both the nature and duration of the work.

Research Projects

Research Projects I, II and III are generic 100 hour modules. Each module involves some formal studies to learn about research methods and techniques, followed by conducting some real research into a subject relevant to the discipline being studied.

Build Your Own Course

Step 1

Choose the qualification required and give your course a name.

Qualification:

Suggested Title

Step 2

Choose a category from the category list and add the modules you want to the " My Course" list. You can choose modules from 1 or more category by selecting different categories on the options list.

Please choose a category from the following list

Please select your module preference from the list and click on the “ADD TO COURSE” button. You can select modules from multiple subject areas.

MODULES

MY COURSE:

TOTAL HOURS:

Learning Method

E-Learning (USB Stick)
Online (5% discount)

Step 3

If you would like a quote, please complete this form. Skip this step if you are buying now.

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Tell us why you selected these subjects?

What are your goals for studying?

If you would like to have some more advice on your selection, please mention this in the notes and we can contact you and advise you on which modules would be a suitable selection for you.

You can contact us by phone on (UK) 01384 442752, or (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or by using our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE.

If you would like to have some more advice on your selection, please mention this in the notes and we can contact you and advise you on which modules would be a suitable selection for you.

There is more on design your own courses here.

	Duration Total	Elective Modules	Core Studies
Proficiency Award 500 hours 3 Modules (300 hours) * 200 hours work experience or industry meetings	500 hours	3 Modules (300 hours)	200 hours work experience or industry meetings
Certificate 600 hours 6 Modules (600 hours)	600 hours	6 Modules (600 hours)
Advanced Certificate 900 hours 8 Modules (800 hours) * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings	900 hours	8 Modules (800 hours)	100 hours work experience or industry meetings
Foundation Diploma 1000 hours 10 Modules (1000 hours)	1000 hours	10 Modules (1000 hours)
Associate Diploma 1500 hours 13 Modules (1300 hours) * Research Project I * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings	1500 hours	13 Modules (1300 hours)	* Research Project I * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings
Diploma 2100 hours 18 Modules (1800 hours) * Research Project I * Research Project II * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings	2100 hours	18 Modules (1800 hours)	* Research Project I * Research Project II * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings
Advanced Diploma 2500 hours 21 Modules (2100 hours) * Research Projects I * Research Project II * Research Project III * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings	2500 hours	21 Modules (2100 hours)	* Research Projects I * Research Project II * Research Project III * 100 hours work experience or industry meetings

You might be eligible to apply for RPL. Read more about RPL here.

Exams

To gain an official Statement of Attainment or to be awarded a qualification (i.e. Certificate, Diploma etc) successful completion of the exams is required. Exams are to be sat and paid for on completion of each module.

Exams are UK £27.00