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In te r n a ti o n a l P r o s p e c tu s 2 0 0 9 - 1 0 1 0 Degrees awarded by 2 Why study with ICS? 3 4 1930 -1950 Over the years ICS has ran a range of marketing campaigns 5 6TRANSCRIPT
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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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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.