Plebble News

Please note that The national home study college HAS NOT gone into administration, they are still trading and their status on companies house is "active".
It appears they have set up business elsewhere and not paid their bills.
Their website now just says "not available" as they could be getting ready to set up a new one!

Posted by dannyboy2004 at 23:10 on 27-Feb-2010

Well looks like I'm right at the back of all this and cross that I didn't see it before... Basically, I got recommended this 'College' via an official careers helpline (am avoiding naming names at this stage). They took extra money from my account which I've been battling to get back for over a year. I completed the courses (which I brought to their attention as being appalling) and am still waiting for the Diplomas (for what they're worth).

According to Companies House they haven't heard from Astra since June last year so are looking at Dissolving them. Insolvency Services don't have any action information on them - so looks like its a case of watching and waiting to see who's playing the next move.

In the mean time, I've written to Watch Dog, Trading Standards, Consumer Helpline. The more of us who do this the better. I don't know how many of you still come on here for updates, but if any of you do, it would be extremely helpful to see who is happy to put their name forward as witness's to this setup (whether you've had your money back or not).

Posted by Fairytales at 14:30 on 04-Mar-2010

I also purchased a course on psychology from Open College where it was stated that it was accepted by the NHS. I enrolled and received the first books where were appalling written and edited. The material was a mish-mash of information. I submitted my first assignment for which I was given an A and then was asked whether I would like to become a tutor and that I could pay extra money to take a tutors course. I did received the second part of the course which was even worse than the first but did not receive any assisgnmen. It was obvious to me that this was a sub-standard college so I left it alone.

Posted by BrianCG at 15:46 on 08-Jun-2010

I completed the tudor course which was 600 hours and had paid for it in full. It was a lot of hours work and have no certificate,refund or anything. It is a disgrace

Posted by Elaine at 22:54 on 20-Jul-2010

I bought 2 courses from these and have never been able to get hold of anyone for support so therefore did not complete my course, I have contacted my credit card company who are going to look into it but they say the more information I can get the better so if anyone has anything which will help please could you email it to me at lmassam@hotmail.co.uk I would be very grateful.

Posted by loopy at 13:14 on 28-Oct-2010

I enrolled and completed the National Home Study College's Higher Diploma in "Family Violence Counselling". I received consistent A Grades and an overall Grade A Level 3 Pass. Today I have found out this Diploma is worth NOTHING! I am appalled to have spent money and time on this. I am also University educated up to MSC level and did this course as something to do over the Summer in between Uni. I should just rip the piece of paper up and bin it since it's so worthless :(

Posted by spookymulder at 16:48 on 30-Jan-2011

I'm really shocked and saddened by this news. I did a Higher National Diploma with the National Home Study College in 2006/2007. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a lot. When I went to Australia the people there did suggest that it wasn't worth the paper it was printed on which upset me but when I returned to the UK last year I was offered a place at University based on the fact I had done this qualification.
I feel really sorry for those of you who have been let down by the college and I hope you can resolve your issues and use your current work towards a course with another college. I am currently studying with Oxford College ODL although they are in no way perfect so maybe it is a tread with distance learning companies.

Posted by user #7170 at 17:54 on 21-Feb-2011

National Home Study did indeed register with the protected studies service, if you email them at info@dvsprotect.com they can help you complete your course. All you have to pay for is the certificate. Me and two friends did it and top marks it came thru ok. Seems NHS did something right anyhow!

Posted by user #7323 at 14:24 on 13-May-2011

I too did courses with national home study. I only found out this morning that the company was bogus through the BBC Matt Alwright programme 'Scammers'. This was shown 12/04/2013 approx. 11.00am. Can anyone tell me if I could get my money back and what happened to the business ? Thanks

Posted by user #8020 at 18:46 on 12-Apr-2013

Go on strike and force BA to go bust = no job
Don't go on strike, keep job and continue to receive higher than average pay.
I would have thought the choice is obvious...

Posted by (details private) at 10:49 on 17-Dec-2009

Perhaps Amazon should sign up to a service like http://www.kiala.co.uk/ as it solves the delivery problem without expensive leases.

Posted by (details private) at 16:40 on 07-Dec-2009