Frequently Asked Questions


About the tutors

Are the tutors professional freelance online writers?
Yes, all tutors are freelance professional online writers. Some other organisations use college lecturers, which means you don't get the information from the real 'coal face'.

Course costs

Does the cost for the course include everything I need? Or are there any extra fees?
There are no other costs or fees.

How could I get my money back if I don't like the course?
Just return the course in good condition within 60 days of receiving it, and we'll send you a full refund.

Course duration

How long does it usually take to complete the course?
Many students complete the course in five months. But you can do it as quickly or slowly as you want. That's one advantage of distance learning.

Do I need to finish the course within a certain time?
You can take as long as you want. Unlike other organisations, we don't set any time limits.

What does the course cost?
You can find the cost of the course by clicking here.

How can I contact my tutor or the Institute?
There have two types of people you can contact - your tutor and a course advisor.
The tutor marks your work, and helps you with any problems. You can fax, e-mail or post assignments to your tutor, whenever you want.

We don't give out the tutor's phone number, because a few people would spend all day talking to their tutors, who would never get any work done.

But sometimes students get stuck, or have an urgent query. If so, you can phone a course advisor at the Institute at any time during work hours. If you leave a message out of work hours we'll ring you back the next day. You can contact course advisors as often as you want, and about anything to do with online writing.

Will the course give me credits towards a degree or some other study?
No. But it will help you set up and run your own business. And we encourage all students to continue their studies after completing the course.

When can I do the course?

Can I start the course at any time?
Yes.

Where can I study the course?

Is the course all from home, or do I have to go to a test centre?
It's all from home

How can I be sure that you're legitimate, and that you won't disappear with my money?

Here are some answers we hope will reassure you.

  • We've been in operation since 1995; so we're very established.

  • We publish our physical address at the bottom of each page - and you are welcome to visit us.

  • We're audited by NCFE twice a year (you can phone them to verify they do that).

  • You can read the Reviews of our students on the web site.

  • You can ask us for the contact details of former students who will talk to you about their experiences.

  • We publish an Ethical Statement here: www.inst.org/ethics.htm

  • We're registered at Companies House: registration number 352 4886

  • Our VAT number is 729 1528 23

  • Our bank is NatWest, 7 High Street, Wells, Somerset (we have money in the bank and no loans or overdraft).

  • We're registered with the UK government's Register of Learning Providers (www.ukrlp.co.uk); Number 10009490.

And finally, we love what we do; and we wouldn't do anything to jeopardise it.

Click here to enrol on the freelance web writer course now
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The Blackford Institute
Overbrook Business Centre
Poolbridge Road
Blackford, Wedmore
Somerset BS28 4PA, UK
Tel: 0800 781 1715
From outside the UK:
+44 1934 713 563
The Blackford Institute
Australia and Asia
Contact: Miki Petrusic
Sydney, Australia.
Tel: +61 2 9620 4066.
       
The Blackford Institute
Contact: Hester Burnett
North West Province
South Africa.
Tel: 072658 2575