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Welcome and Introduction

Studying for a qualification whilst still balancing all the other

important things in your life is a challenging commitment,

and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals at a

time and place that suits you. ICS (International

Correspondence Schools) are pioneers of distance learning.

Since 1890 we have helped more than 13 million people

achieve their aims. We pride ourselves on providing

innovative, flexible educational opportunities that allow

students to learn at a time and place to suit their needs. Our

aim is to make learning as accessible as possible, allowing

busy people to get the skills, training and education they

want, in a way that offers them complete flexibility. We are

delighted that you are considering pursuing a qualification

with us.

This prospectus should give you a good understanding

about distance learning, its benefits and the part we are

going to play to help you achieve your personal goals. If you

need any more information or assistance please do not

hesitate to contact us, we will be more than happy to help

you. We wish you the best of luck for the future and look

forward to welcoming you to ICS in the near future.

Why study with ICS?

Flexible studying to suit you, Affordable pricing, Quality

materials, Expert Support

ICS are Higher Education specialists and currently work with

a number of UK University partners to develop and deliver

distance-learning degrees worldwide. We have evolved our

courses with our students at heart – they trust us and our

university partners do too.

Over 35,000 students currently study with ICS on a range of

programmes from entry to post-graduate level. All courses

and programmes are of the highest quality, being accredited

by leading professional bodies and universities, and

represent true value for money.

You don't have to feel you're all alone, either. We support

our students with highly professional tutors and course

leaders, who are available at all times to help students

achieve success. In addition to your Tutors, our 24 hour

online Community offers a great way to connect with fellow

learners. You'll also find a wealth of material online where

you can gain new insights and communicate with your

Tutors, too feeling supported and motivated.

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History of ICS

International Correspondence Schools has been around for

some time, well over 100 years in fact. Since being

established in 1890 ICS has gone through various

incarnations and currently has its head office in Glasgow,

Scotland.

From our early beginnings in the US at the end of the 19th

Century, we moved to the UK, and were based in London.

Early images and photos capture the fascinating detail into

how businesses such as ICS were run during these times.

This photograph (below left) provides an insight into how the

textbook department looked towards the beginning of the

20th Century.

Notice how this department is mostly comprised of male

workers, yet in other departments, such as the enrolment

(below right) department, female workers were more

common. Of course, today ICS is glad to commit itself to

equal weighting of female and male workers in every

department!

The structure of ICS has changed over time. From this

period when ICS had separate divisions for textbooks,

mailings, student aid, enrolments, and illustrating, ICS now

has teams of people who work on producing our courses, a

team who supply the courses and help students with their

program of study. We also have teams who provide support

to students and prospective candidates as well as the usual

departments of finance, marketing, IT, and design.

Amazingly we also have examples of how our course

materials looked in the first decade of the 20th Century.

Here is an example of a range of materials from a previous

Steam Engine course we provided back in 1906. Modules

include Steam Engine Design and Simple and Compound

Steam Engines.

1930 -1950

Over the years ICS has ran a range of marketing campaigns

and adverts centered on encouraging students, who want to

increase their earning potential, to study with ICS. Through

research we've found that this is the number one priority

among our students and the main reason why they wish to

further their education.

The advert on the left was used in Modern Mechanix

Magazine, November 1935 and the one below was inserted

in Popular Science Magazine, March 1950. Although the

main reasons why individuals choose to further their

education might not have changed dramatically, audience

reaction to advertising campaigns is increasingly complex

and students now require a much more interactive approach

to their studies.

At ICS, we are committed to using modern methods to

supply our courses and try to align our methods with

student’s expectations. Through further development we

aim to be able to assist our students in their career

progression and support them throughout their involvement

with ICS.

Below is an example of an ICS certificate from 1958.

1960 -1990

As the century carried on, ICS started to expand and

advertised overseas. The International status of ICS

enabled it to grow in markets abroad, including places as

distant as Mexico. From a Mexican magazine placement,

1960, we have managed to find this example.

Another example of ICS advertising during this period was

Pete Duncan ‘Drop-out’ (right). This was a piece from 1968

that focused on the problems individuals may face after

leaving school with little or no qualifications. However, the

story ends happily when Pete completes his ICS course and

gains a new job, with a higher starting salary than his

previous jobs where he had faced redundancy. The hard-

hitting style of the advert is somewhat different to the

aspirational style ICS adopts today.

As the Century progressed to its close ICS enrolled it’s

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Distance Learning and its benefits

Study where you want, study when you want

Distance learning provides you with the opportunity to study

on your own, at home or wherever suits you. Most of us

associate learning with school, college or university, but all

you really need for learning are quality materials and expert

support. The ICS Distance Learning Guide provides all the

information you need to improve your qualifications without

having to attend the classroom – ICS combine easy learning

with tutor support so you can achieve your goals with total

flexibility.

As most of our course materials are printed, you can learn

anywhere you like: at home, on the train, in the park –

wherever! And thanks to modern technology, support is only

ever a phone call or an email away.

Learn in your own time

Nowadays everyone’s in a rush, and you might think you

simply don’t have the time to learn. But with distance

learning courses, you choose when to learn. There are no

term times – your course simply starts when you enroll. All

our courses are flexible and can be tailored to meet your

needs, whether you need a qualification quickly and intend

to study intensively, or whether you can only spare a little

time each week.

Lean while you earn

You don’t have to give up your job to take a distance

learning course, so you won’t be compromising your

income. What’s more, because you’re learning in your own

time in a place that suits you, rather than from a lecturer in a

university or college, we’re able to keep the costs down –

meaning you can afford to learn.

Learn to earn

By completing one of our distance learning courses you’ll

gain a respected and recognised qualification. We offer

university degrees – accredited by the University of East

London, Edinburgh Napier University or Anglia Ruskin

University – as well as qualifications accredited by Excel,

Microsoft, CIPD, and many other respected bodies (see

Links for a full list). A distance learning qualification can

improve your job prospects and increase your earning

potential. Of course, it’s not just about the money, either.

With the right qualification you can build a fulfilling and

rewarding career for yourself.

Supported open learning

Just because you’re learning from home doesn’t mean you

won’t be supported every step of the way. We care about

our students and we want them to succeed. As an ICS

student you’ll be able to contact an experienced tutor for

guidance and help with your course. You’ll also have access

to the online Student Community, allowing you to meet other

students and view our online resources.

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Testimonials here...

Stand out

from the

crowd

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Accreditations & Relationships

Partnerships for success

At ICS we have partnerships with leading professional

bodies to provide the skills and qualifications you need to

succeed in a number of professions. Advance your career

while maintaining your work and social life with a distance

learning Professional course with ICS. You’ll earn a

qualification accredited by the professional body in your field

which can often gain you membership of the organisation,

too. Whether you’re just starting out, have several years’

experience, or simply aspire to gain knowledge of a subject,

we have courses and qualifications at all levels. We have

teamed up with the following professional bodies:

Association of Project Managers (APM)

The APM is largest independent professional body of its

kind in Europe who aims to develop and promote project

management across all sectors of industry and beyond.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

CIMA is an internationally recognised and respected body

offering one of the most highly regarded qualifications in the

field of accountancy. You’ll find the scope of the CIMA

qualification goes far beyond that of pure accountancy and

even most management courses, leading to a wide range of

career opportunities.

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

CIM is the leading international body for marketing and

business development, whose qualifications will equip you

with the knowledge and tools you need to stay ahead and

excel in this most challenging of professions.

Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)

The CIPD is the UK’s leading professional body for anyone

involved in the management and development of people. Its

qualifications are essential if you want to progress your

career in HR management. The CIPD Professional

Development Scheme (PDS) is the most widely recognised

professional qualification for HR and development

specialists in Europe, and is accredited by the Qualifications

Curriculum Authority as a Level 7 qualification on the

National Qualifications Framework in the UK.

Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)

CIPS is a UK-based International organisation, dedicated to

promoting best practice in the profession.

Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM)

If you’re a practising or aspiring first line manager wanting a

solid foundation in your career development as a manager,

then formal study towards the internationally recognised ILM

industry qualification is certainly worth considering.

International Association of Book-keepers (IAB)

The IAB is the leading professional UK body devoted solely

to the interests of book-keepers. It provides high quality,

relevant financial and business qualifications for financial

professionals and owners or managers of small businesses.

An IAB qualification will stand you in good stead in today’s

increasingly finance-orientated business world – whether it’s

to advance your career as a practitioner or for personal

insight.

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Support & Maintenance

Whatever course you choose, and wherever you are based,

you’ll benefit from a comprehensive support package to

enhance your chances of success, all within the cost of your

course. This includes:

Access to an Academic Tutor Team

You’ll be assigned subject-expert tutors who will guide you

through the course material, set and mark your work and

provide constructive feedback on your progress.

Access to a Personal Mentor Service

As with any new study programme, we appreciate that

students not only have questions related to the academic

subject, but also about the study experience itself. Your

mentors will answer these questions for you. The mentor

system is hugely popular with students, who find day-to-day

support very re3assuring. All of our mentors are graduates

who understand what it’s likely to study by distance learning.

Access to our Online Student Community

With this online community you can interact with other

students via the discussion forum, take part in surveys, view

and update your personal student record and access

additional resources in the online library.

You’ll also be able to take advantage of the SCONUL

System that allows you to access any University library in

the UK during your studies.

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout your course, and

depending on the course you’re studying, the coursework

can include essays, logos, research projects and practical

tasks, which your tutor will give you guidance on. As your

confidence and abilities grow, the emphasis may shift to

examination-based assessment. You’ll be required to take a

final assessment at the end of each module.

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How to get started

Browse our courses

Looking to get a promotion or make a career change?

Maybe you want a subject for the love of it or to enhance an

interest or passion? Is there something you’ve always

wanted to learn, but time seems to escape you? Seize the

moment and take this opportunity to browse this catalogue

and explore the benefits of Distance Learning.

Set your goals

Be inspired and establish your learning goals. Browse

through our courses, each section has an introduction to the

relevant area or sector; followed by details about each

course. The qualification it leads you to and further

information to guide you, such as any pre-requisites and

recommended study hours.

If you’d like more detailed information, or explore your

options further, contact our course advisors , who will be

happy to help you get started.

Enrol to get started

Once you’ve decided what course is right for you, enrolling

couldn’t be simpler.

By phone

Call xxxxxxxxxx to speak to one of our advisors

By Web

Go online at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and chat with one of

our advisors to decide on the best training plan.