My name is Valentino Burattini and I decided to enrol on the HNC/D Mechanical Engineering course provided by UniCourse back in 2017. I was looking for a course to complete whilst working in full-time employment. UniCourse was able to provide me the flexibility that I needed.
I chose UniCourse because I had the freedom to choose from a wide range of optional modules. This gave me the possibility to pick the most appropriate modules according to my career path. I was interested in completing the HNC/D in Mechanical Engineering, which is accredited by Edexcel and sponsored by some great companies.
My goal was to complete a course that will prepare me for the final year of university and help me make a step forward in my engineering career path. Moreover, the support provided by UniCourse was excellent. At the time, I used to study during the night and when I sent some emails at 3am I would always receive answers back in the morning or in the afternoon.
“My experience with UniCourse was great and the tutor that was assigned to me was brilliant. The materials provided by UniCourse for studying every module were also very well structured. The workbooks provided were great and designed for an online student; easy to understand, full of worked examples and very synthetic.”
After completing my HND course I enrolled onto an Aerospace Engineering (Bsc) course provided by Kingston University. The university allowed me to start directly in year 3 and I managed to obtain a 1st Class degree certificate. In the beginning I had some reservations about online courses. I was initially concerned that a university could have viewed an online course as a “class B” course. However, I was completely wrong as Kingston University accepted my HND certificate with no problems because it was accredited by Edexcel.
I now believe that a well-designed online course can provide a student with quality academic knowledge that is comparable to an ‘in-class’ course. The engineering knowledge gained with UniCourse and the study methodology I developed as an online student were suitable for university standard. A massive bonus is that an online course can give you a lot of flexibility. Perhaps the only downside is that you miss out on building academic collaborations with other students. However, this changes if you choose to progress to university.
The main challenge with distance learning is setting your own deadlines and making sure you stick to them. In the beginning I struggled to submit assignments frequently. Then, I noticed that the main problem was my study organisation, which is why I developed a sort of ‘Assignment Gantt Chart’ to keep my academic schedules always on track.
Since completing the course, I am now working as a Technical Sales Engineer for a company specialising in bearings for special applications, such as cryogenic, aerospace, marine, F1, high temperature applications etc. The organisational skills that I have developed when I was an online student have been very handy in my current job. I am considering completing an Online Engineering Postgraduate course in the next 2-3 years.
My advice for a prospective online student is to be very motivated. An online student must consider that there is no teacher in front of you who will push you to submit assignments. You have to keep yourself constantly on the right track and remember that hard work always pays off.
"You are provided with all the resources you need and the support is fantastic. I would recommend UniCourse to anyone looking for distance learning at their own pace."
John Smith
HNC Student
"I have enjoyed my course so far with UniCourse, I have found it a lot more flexible and can fit it around my hectic lifestyle a lot easier than attending college with assignment deadlines. Any problem I have had with the course have been answered very quickly. I would recommend UniCourse to others who are busy but want to carry on with education."
Marc
HNC Graduate
"From the start of the enrolment phase, UniCourse admin team made everything simple and clear how the course would be laid out with the program ‘Moodle’ I would be using. The course is a very convenient way to study even if you are already fully employed like myself and lecturers were easily contactable and friendly. Overall I had pleasant experience with UniCourse and would recommend them to anyone looking to improve on their education"
Jonathan
HNC Student
"My dream of finishing my studies has been possible only because of UniCourse, they have given me the opportunity to be flexible with my studies and hold a full time job all at the same time. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to study and work at the same time. I have found them to be very helpful with all my queries and they are quick to help me solve my problems. This is so convenient for me - I can study in my own time and in my own home no need to travel to college at a certain time. After finishing my current HNC course I hope to start my HND with UniCourse. They are fantastic i am very pleased with them."
Golam
HNC Graduate
"With a full-time job and 2 very young kids, a normal 9-5 course was not an option. It was becoming increasingly difficult to better my career options. Finding UniCourse on the internet has really opened up my learning potential. Their professionalism, knowledge and flexibility are really first class. To sum them up in one word.... Awesome!"
Adam
HNC Graduate
"I have found UniCourse to not only be a very convenient way to study as I am a self employed full-time electrician, but also the course tutor to be very helpful. Whether I require help by phone, email or a live web session he is always available. The tutor also returns marked work very quickly allowing me plenty of time to make any adjustments. I have found UniCourse to afford me the best opportunity to progress my career whilst also continuing to work full time. "
Lee
HNC Student
"I have really enjoyed my experience so far with UniCourse.org even obtaining a Distinction on my first module. The staff and lecturers are quick and helpful with their responses to any and all enquiries and the video conferencing platform is very helpful when discussing intricate subject matter. I would highly recommend the course to anyone wishing to broaden their horizons whilst holding down a full time job."
Richard
HNC Student
"Great tutors, easy to follow workbooks, great support, would highly recommend."
Daryl
HNC Graduate
"Time and place were severe obstacles to me achieving a HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Thankfully, the flexible options offered by Unicourse have allowed me to undertake my HND from home with them while working full-time. They have personalised my HND, allowing me to choose from many optional units. The traditional colleges I looked up did not offer option choices at all. I have also managed to complete my HND with Unicourse in a fraction of the time that would have been necessary at other colleges. I am really pleased that I made the right choice. The support I got was fantastic."
Leonardo
HND Graduate
"The flexibility of the courses and the professionalism of the staff make UniCourse a great way to improve your personal skills with a chance of a future career."
Valentino
HND Student
"If you want to succeed I personally suggest you apply to UniCourse. Why? After many years away from study I did my HNC. It was hard work but with superb help and guidance I obtained 8 Distinctions. This year I am doing my HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering with UniCourse. Again, UniCourse are pulling out all the stops with high quality assignments, a one-to-one video conferencing platform, incredible feedback and comprehensive support when needed."