Frequently Asked Questions

You may have some questions before you decide to enrol with The Learning Net. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. We believe it is important that you have all the information relating to your course of study before you make a decision to enrol.

Finance

How much will it cost to study with The Learning Net?

The cost will vary depending on which course or courses you choose to study. However, we always strive to be more affordable than our competitors and tend to offer our courses for 15-20% less.

Course fees are displayed on the right hand side of the course page. The total amount can be paid in full or you can choose to spread the cost with one of our monthly instalment plans.

Can I spread the cost of my courses?

Absolutely! A payment plan is the perfect way to help you get started on your studies without the big expense. If you’d like to set up a payment plan, please contact our course advisors on 07587 394520 during business hours.

Are there any additional fees after enroling?

We hate hidden costs as much as you do, which is why we try our hardest to give you total costs up front, before you decide to enrol.

If there are any additional fees, for example; Exam fees or registration fees, these will be clearly stated on the course page.

Are your instalment plans interest free?

No. Interest rates are based on the plan you choose, we will however always offer at least one plan interest free for the students who require this option.

How do I enrol?

How do I enrol?

Enroling with The Learning Net couldn’t be easier. Choose your course, add to basket and complete purchase at checkout. During office hours, you will receive a unique login key within 15 minutes of enrolment so you can get started straight away.

When can I get started?

Almost immediately. Enrolments are processed within 15 minutes during office hours. Once you have login details you can get onto our website and start studying. Printed materials can take 5-7 working days to print and despatch.

How does it work?

Why don’t you try our free trial for a couple of days and find out how awesome Online learning can be. We are so confident in our learning system.

What do I need to get started?

With the majority of our learning material delivered Online, you will need to have a device such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet and connectivity to the internet in order to access these materials. If there are any entry requirements these will be advised on the course page itself.

When will I receive my course materials?

You will receive your The Learning Net login details within 15 minutes (within office hours), giving you access to all your course materials anytime, anywhere.

If you have chosen printed material, you will receive these within 5-8 working days of enroling.

What format will my course come in?

The majority of our courses are fully digitised and available Online through our Cloud. However, some courses are only available in printed format. Please check the course page for details on which format your chosen course will be.

Is an iGCSE the same as a GCSE?

Yes. The only real difference between iGCSE and GCSE is that the iGCSE is made available to international students. Both qualifications are used by private schools, distance learning and online providers. Apart from that there is no real difference, iGCSEs are recognised as an exact equivalent to the GCSE by employers, colleges and universities.

Study

How do I study?

Any way you like! Our course materials are available Online in our Cloud or through print, allowing you to choose the format that suits you best. You work through the course one unit at a time, completing activities, interactive assessments and mock exams ensuring you are fully prepared for the final examination.

How is the training delivered?

Our courses are delivered Courses. Each course contains the learning materials (dictated by the awarding body syllabus), formative assessment and tutorial support required to prepare for the examination. Courses are availabe Online and in print.

Can I "Fast-track" my qualification?

Absolutely. We have had students who have completed a GCSE in as little as 4 weeks. This however, requires intensive study. All The Learning Net courses are flexible and can be studied at the pace chosen by the student, allowing you to complete the course within your required timeframe.

How long will it take to study a course?

It all depends on your lifestyle and commitments. Each course has a recommended study time which should be undertaken before sitting the final exam. An IGCSE has a recommended study duration of 120 hours. If you commit 10 hours of studying per week, the course can be completed in 12 weeks.

Will my courses work on any device?

Yes. As long as you have access to the internet our courses are displayed on all devices.

How long do I have to complete my course?

When you enrol on a course you will have access for a period of 12 or 24 months depending on your course of study. You will be allocated a dedicated tutor who will support you for this time.

However, once this support period has passed there’s nothing to stop you taking longer if you need. Course extensions are available at an additional cost: £60 for 6 months or £100 for 12 months.

My child is home-schooled - are these courses suitable?

The Learning Net offer a fantastic solution for anyone looking to homeschool their child. Our iGCSE and A-Level courses follow the awarding body specification, so you can relax knowing you are teaching your child the relevant content for the final examination. All of our iGCSEs and A-Levels course materials are available online through our Cloud, however there is also the option to purchase printed study guides. If you purchase the study guides, we would recommend the parent/carer use the printed study guide simultaneously as your child is studying the material online.

Our Cloud supports engagement reports allowing you to access your child’s progress as they work through their course of study. Volume discounts are available for home-schooling students who enrol on 2 or more courses.

Is it possible to study overseas?

Yes! One of the main benefits of studying with The Learning Net is you can take your study material anywhere in the world and access it at any time. iGCSE and A-Level exams can be arranged via the British Council in many overseas countries. Follow this link to access the British Council website for more information about taking exams overseas.

Suppport

What support will I get with my course?

Upon enrolment, you will have access to a student advisor and a dedicated academic tutor.

Your student advisor will support you with any administrative and technical issues. Whilst, your academic tutor will support you with any course related questions you might have.

In addition to this support you will also have access to the student community forum where you can interact with your fellow course students.

Our core methodology of teaching highlights the significance of peer support in the learning process, as a result we encourage all our students to utilise the forums to support their fellow students.

Who is the tutor?

The Learning Net academic tutors are carefully chosen subject matter experts with years of professional experience in their field. All tutors are experienced in teaching and supporting online learning. Your tutor will help you plan your studies and answer any questions about coursework, study materials, assessments and exams, and help you work through any part of the course you might have difficulty with.

Is tutor support delivered by phone?

No. Tutor support is delivered on our Online platform. Students can communicate with their tutor in real time using the online messaging system. Student queries are answered within 1 working day. When support is delivered Online ALL queries and responses are recorded in your profile so that you can refer back whenever required. This is particularly useful during revision periods.

When can I contact my academic tutor?

You can submit any course queries through the support forums 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact your tutor anytime and they will aim to get back to you the same day, at the latest within 1 working day. This is the fastest Online tutorial turnaround time.

Exam

When are the exam dates?

iGCSEs are sat twice per year, once in January, once in May/June. A-Levels are sat once per year in June. Depending on the awrding body, exam dates will differ. Please refer to our exam timetable section on our exam information page.

For a detailed breakdown of all exam information, download our ‘Private Candidate Exam Guide’ on our dedicated Exam Information page.

Where do I take the exam?

Use the CloudLearn Centre Finder to locate your nearest exam centre. You are recommend to book the exam at least 6 months in advance of the exam date. Exams are held twice per year once in January and once in May/June.

For a detailed breakdown of all exam information, download our ‘Private Candidate Exam Guide’ on our dedicated Exam Information page.

Alternatively, avoid the hassle and use the CloudLearn Gold Standard Exam Service. We will make all your exam arrangements. Additional fees apply.

How much are the exam fees?

Exams fees are addition in cost and are paid directly to the exam centre. Exam fees vary significantly so we always recommend that you ‘shop-around’ to get the best deal. Awarding bodies charge approx £40 for iGCSE exams, centres then charge an administration fee on top, so you should expect to pay upwards of £100 for an iGCSE exam. Full A-Level exams start at around £375 depending on the subject chosen.

How do I arrange my iGCSE or A-Level exam?

The Learning Net will provide you with everything you need to prepare for your exam. However, we cannot book your exam for you, this needs to be done by the student themself.

Use the CloudLearn Centre Finder to locate your nearest exam centre. You are recommend to book the exam at least 6 months in advance of the exam date. Exams are held twice per year once in January and once in May/June.

For a detailed breakdown of all exam information, download our ‘Private Candidate Exam Guide’ on our dedicated Exam Information page.

 

What is the cut-off for booking exams?

To avoid late fees, book at least 6 months in advance for IGCSE & 7 Months for A-Level

For a detailed breakdown of all exam information, download our ‘Private Candidate Exam Guide’ on our dedicated Exam Information page.

Do I need to take A-Level practicals?

You can complete the new science A-levels without doing any practical work, but this means your certificate won’t have the “Practical Endorsement” on it. Most universities will require this endorsement if you wish to study a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject at university.

For a detailed breakdown of all exam information, download our ‘Private Candidate Exam Guide’ on our dedicated Exam Information page.

How do I complete the practical element of the exam?

All new science A-Levels include an optional practical lab-skills pathway which will be required by most universities for students pursuing STEM subjects. These practical assessments will be taken at the exam centre you have chosen to take your written exams. Not all centres will offer this pathway so you will need to check availability in your area.

The practical assessment includes 12 hands-on laboratory experiments which are completed under observation.

When do I get my exam results?

iGCSE exam results are generally published 8-10 weeks after the exam date. This is usually the 4th week of August and 2nd week of March.

A-Levels exam results are generally published 8-10 weeks after the exam date. This is usually the 3rd week of August.

What kind of results do your students achieve?

As our candidates take exams at hundreds of different centres across the country, we have no way of collating these results. Without the permission of the individual student, we are not at liberty to publish cohort results. 80% of CloudLearn students who submit formative assessments achieve a B+ grade. These assessments are sat prior to examination (mock exam).

Is this a recognised qualification?

Yes. All of our courses are mapped to specifications ensuring that all qualifications are recognised by all employers, colleges and unversities.