Useful

**Kim Webb** · 18-10-2011, 13:11

Thank you!
Can I ask when you went to Solent? Would you be interested in sharing your experience? I've created a social network site not just as a means to collect information but also as a forum where individuals can support/discuss their experiences.

I'm in the process of trying to promote the site - but finding people is proving difficult!

**Kim Webb** · 18-10-2011, 13:14

Yes, I am at the moment looking at university courses - this is mainly because education is a large area and I have to narrow it down for my PhD. But I will bear in mind the comments you have made

**Kim Webb** · 18-10-2011, 13:15

Sorry to be so 'green' but what is the Int. Cell?

**PapaGolf** · 18-10-2011, 13:17

Originally Posted by Pond_Balls

What 2008 pledge is this? Seems to have passed me by! Anyone know about this?

Passed me too, even with ELC I still had to pay a big lump for my BA

**PapaGolf** · 18-10-2011, 13:18

Originally Posted by Kim Webb

Sorry to be so 'green' but what is the Int. Cell?

Intelligence Cell

**Kim Webb** · 18-10-2011, 13:19

The pledge was made in the 2008 MoD The Nation's Commitment: Cross Government support to our armed forces, their families and veterans. London HMSO. The concession is for eligible personnel only - they have to have served for 6 years and belong to the enhanced learning credit scheme but the concession is valid for up to 10 years post-service.

**Camberwell Carrot** · 18-10-2011, 13:34

Do you have a thesis? Do you have a proposal for your thesis? If so, what are they?

**Kim Webb** · 18-10-2011, 13:55

My research is anthropological and I'm not testing a hypothesis as such. The aim of my research is to investigate the experiences of British army personnel in relation to studying at higher education institutions.

**The Dude** · 18-10-2011, 14:04

I left the Army last year, I had completed about 1/3 of a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with the Open University before I left, I found work/duties/operations/family hard to balance with studying, I managed to fit enough time in to pass all my assignments; however now that I am a civi I have much more time on my hand and the quality of my work and my assignments has jumped much higher.

The ELC's are really helpful, I am doing 2 x 60 point Open University courses this year which would cost £1830, but will only cost me about £266 (however be warned Open University fee's are jumping to £15,000 after Sept 2012 for new applicants).

I have not heard anything else in regards to Soldiers getting a free University since it was announced in 2008, apart from the Troops to Teachers programme that has still not been released.

On a negative note I have seen many Soldiers try to pass long distance courses whilst abroad, and struggled because of operations/exercise commitments, some line-managers try to give Soldiers some time off to concentrate on their study, while others dont; depends where you are or what job you are doing. The Open Univeristy does give lessons abroad, but trying to travel to these events is hard if its hundreds of miles away, although the forums are very handy and the help given to long distance students can be very good. I hope to finish my Degree in late 2012.