Posted By Mr.Z Bhunnoo Hello all, I just wanted to seek your views on open distance learning. I wish to take the first part of the nebosh diploma. As I am self funding and not in a health and safety job, I was going to gain the qualification through open distance learning as it is cheaper and more convenient for me. However, it seems a little too easy as it makes out. I just wanted to know if anyone out there has studied for a diploma through open distance learning and to give your views on what it was like and whether you would recommend it ???. I would also be interested in the views of those of you who have studied for your diploma in other ways and what you think on open distance learning ie. do you think lots of contact time with tutors in the form of lectures was vital to you passing ???. I will be extremely grateful for any input from anyone Thanks. Z.

Posted By Jane Blunt I studied for the (old) diploma, on the subjects of Law and Risk Management, by distance learning, also with RRC. I too found their written materials were very good. I do think that studying by correspondence is more difficult than face-to-face tuition, since there is more effort required to make the time and to concentrate. There are also difficulties in that you do not have someone to ask you questions to check that you really do understand the material. I did do a revision day with a 'real' tutor before each exam, and found that this was essential as it gave me the insight into what level of knowledge was expected by the examiners. I passed both first time (probably by the skin of my teeth, but a pass is a pass). When self funding (as I was) there are excellent reasons for going by this route. In fact I did safety technology and occupational health without the distance learning course, but I did do the one-day revision sessions. I passed these as well. Why did I do it this way? Because I felt that safety technology and occupational health were much easier to learn from books than the law and risk management. I now have a good job in safety! Good luck to you in your studies. Regards Jane