A simple guide to studying towards your AAT Qualification with Home Learning College Beth Motts-Hammond Home Learning College student AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting www.homelearningcollege.com 1
Making the decision to study can be a big commitment. To give you all the information you need to make the right decision, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions about our AAT accredited accounting courses and online learning. 1. What is AAT? The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is the leading professional awarding bodies for accounting and finance staff with 125,000 global members. The AAT qualification pathway is a recognised UK route to a career in accounting, supporting practical skills with work-based experience. If your question is not answered here, you can get answers to any questions you may have by talking to one of our Accounting Course Advisors free on 020 7173 5825 We are always happy to help. AAT x 125,000 www.homelearningcollege.com 2
2. How is the course taught? When you enrol you will be assigned your course tutor who will be your main point of contact during your studies, available by phone, email or online. You will also be sent your log in details to the Virtual Learning Campus (VLC), the interactive learning platform for your course, where there is 24 hour access to all your course ebooks, live classes and recordings, student forums, practice tests, study guides and a wealth of additional resources. You can work through the course at your own pace, moving on to the next topic only when you are ready. Your tutor will run regular online classes covering the key topics of your course which you can join live or watch later via the recording on the VLC. There are self-test questions for each lesson for you to complete as you go, and at the end of each unit a Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for you to complete and upload to the VLC for marking. 3. How long does it take to complete each level? The time it takes you to complete the course will depend on how many hours you can dedicate each week to your studies. Studying part-time you should expect to spend roughly five hours on individual study per week, which will give you plenty of time to complete your qualification comfortably within the tutorial period. If you are starting at level 2 you can expect to complete the full pathway and achieve Accounting Technician status in just over three years. Access 3-6 months 2 12 months 3 12 months 4 15 months Your tutor will mark your assignment within seven days (though the average marking time is just three days), and you will receive an email confirmation to check your grades and feedback. Once you have passed your TMAs you will be ready to take your external assessments, sat at a local AAT test centre and will be able to book these online via the VLC. www.homelearningcollege.com 3
4. Which level should I start at? You can start on the AAT Qualification Pathway at any level, depending on your experience and previous qualifications. Our entry requirements for each level will be able to help you identify which level is best for you, but if you need more guidance we recommend that you talk to a Course Advisor. ACCESS 2 This course is suitable for accounting beginners looking to learn the basics. There are no formal entry requirements but we recommend you have a basic qualification in Maths. This course is suitable for accounting beginners looking to start on the AAT Accounting Qualification pathway. There are no formal entry requirements but we recommend you have a GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths. 5. How is the course assessed? To complete the course and gain your qualification, you will need to pass a set number of Computer Based Assessments (CBAs) at each level. These are timed assessments taken at an external test centre and marked by the AAT. When you feel you are ready, you will be able to book your assessments through on the VLC. AAT Access AAT Level 2 AAT Level 3 AAT Level 4 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 4 5 3 This course is suitable for professionals and Level 2 students looking to advance their accounting skills. Number of computer-based tests/projects 4 To enrol on the Level 4 course, you must either hold the AAT Level 3 Certificate in Accounting or equivalent qualification. www.homelearningcollege.com 4
6. What is our pass rate? At Home Learning College our pass rate is consistently above the national average, with the most recent for AAT students at 92%.* 7. What is included in the course? We have put together a comprehensive package to ensure you have everything you need to successfully complete your course. This includes: AAT 2 92% pass rate *AAT Level 2, Jan-April 2013 Up to 3 years full tutorial support Course books for each unit Additional downloadable resources Online student forums 24 hour access to the VLC Assignment marking and thorough feedback Exam fees and exclusive exam booking service Regular live interactive online classes Personalised individual study plan Sage One Extra software Free access to the Career Management Service www.homelearningcollege.com 5
8. AAT membership Qualifications are awarded by the AAT who will issue you with a Certificate or Diploma upon completion of each exam. It is essential that you have AAT student membership in order to sit your assessments and access the resources and support you need to succeed on the course. As an AAT student member you will have access to a range of interactive services and resources to help you get the most from the qualification, including: Access to My AAT which has a wealth of online tools AAT MEMBERSHIP EXAM AAT QUALIFICATION Practice assessments and guidance documents to help you study E-learning modules and Green Light tests to check your understanding as you go along Career tips direct from employers and an online CV builder to put you on the track to career progression Bi-Monthly Accounting Technician magazine and monthly student e-newsletter Access to local AAT branches and chance to attend key Accounting events, networking and learning opportunities free of charge. 9. What additional resources will I get? When you enrol you will be provided printed AAT books for your course (also available in ebook format) and will be assigned a personal tutor to guide you through the course. You will have 24hr access to online learning materials via the VLC including live classes, student forums, video tutorials, study guides and a wealth of additional resources designed to help you progress through the course and check your competency in key skills areas. Personal Tutor via Phone via Email Not only will you have everything you need to pass the course, but also the tools at hand to help you understand how to work effectively in the industry. With the Home Learning College Career Management Service, you can learn how to utilise LinkedIn, improve your CV and get valuable cover letter advice. VLC classes course materials forums ebooks *Excludes AAT Access www.homelearningcollege.com 6
10. How do live classes work? As you work through the course you will be able to attend regular live classes on the key unit topics to consolidate your learning from your own individual study. These classes allow you to be face-to-face with your tutor as you would in a traditional classroom environment using Adobe connect technology. The interactive features include screen presentation, a chat-box and optional poll questions. You will also be able to revisit topics and catch up on any classes you miss via a recording on the VLC. 11. Can I contact my tutor outside of working hours? You will have guided support throughout your studies from a personally assigned tutor, who will be contactable by phone (during their contact hours), email or online through the VLC anytime you need help. If you need to contact your tutor outside of their contact hours, simply drop them an email and they should be able to respond the next working day, or you can contact another tutor within the faculty who will be happy to help. You will also be able to access additional resources and support via the student forums on the VLC 24 hours a day, so you are never alone in your studies. Personal Tutor via Email via Phone VLC www.homelearningcollege.com 7
12. How much does the course cost? One of the benefits of studying with us is that unlike a traditional college where you pay upfront for each term we allow you to pay for your course in monthly instalments. This means funding your education is flexible and easy. We have designed a number of study packages and payment options, including 12, 24 and 36 month instalment plans and, wherever possible, package together everything you need in one economical course package. In addition to this there are discounts available for paying in full. 13. What will I get out of it? Whether you are new to accounting or have your sights set on a promotion, gaining the relevant AAT qualification will develop your knowledge, prove your competency and pave the way to future success. www.homelearningcollege.com 8
14. Why Home Learning College? Home Learning College is the largest online provider of AAT qualifications. We know that most of our students have other commitments, so we offer a revolutionary approach to learning that fits around them. There are many reasons why our students choose to study with us: Strong connections We have excellent relationships with the employer recognised accrediting bodies in the accounting sector: AAT and ACCA Experienced tutors We have a large and experienced accounting faculty who take pride in their work and are 100% focused on getting you qualified 92% pass rates Our pass rate is consistently above the national average, with our most recent AAT pass rate at 92%* Our live online classes We offer regular live classes for all our courses delivered online allowing full interaction with your tutor and peers. They are also recorded, so if you miss them you can watch them at any time 8 REASONS to study by distance learning with Home Learning College Our Course Advisors All our Course Advisors are trained professionals who will support and guide you through this important decision It is all Included Wherever possible we package together everything you need for your course, such as awarding exam fees We make it affordable We offer flexible and affordable payment options, including 12, 24 and 36 month instalment plans as well as discounts when paying in full High quality course materials Our course materials are written by highprofile industry experts and endorsed by the awarding bodies; AAT and ACCA www.homelearningcollege.com 9
15. How do I enrol? It s simple to enrol; all you have to do is talk to one of our Course Advisors and they will check you have all the information you need and help you get started. Call free on 020 7173 5825 Or visit us www.homelearningcollege.com Kyveli Charalampidou and Daniel Hargreaves Home Learning College students www.homelearningcollege.com 10