Course Fees - £200 plus VAT

(excluding exam fees)

You have up to 8 months to complete this course (excluding holidays)

Fees can be paid in full to benefit from a 10% discount.

Course fees can also be paid in instalments over 2 months.

Start Dates

Autumn Term start dates:

• 31 August which is 50% full
• 21 September - 55% full

Shorthand is a versatile and useful skill to have whether working as a secretary/PA, journalist or in some other profession where taking down the spoken word quickly and easily would be of benefit.

You can study this course via our distance learning scheme and is tutor led.

You need to study between 5-10 hours per week on average and based on this study time the course will take approximately 6 months to complete.

You may study at a pace to suit yourself, completing the course as quickly as you wish or to fit in around other comitments.

The approach to teaching shorthand at this college - is to develop confidence at an early stage so students will start to use the skill in their working lives - albeit on a limited basis to begin with.

We teach all the aspects of learning shorthand at the same time, namely..

• Reading shorthand
• Theory
• Speed development
• Transcription skills

If you feel confident in reading your own notes, you are more likely to use the skill - so it is important to develop this at an early stage.

Students can progress quite quickly and by the time they have completed the 5 Unit of theory most are writing at around 50 wpm.

Lessons are sent via email covering the theory, Unit by Unit, with additional exercises included involving writing stories, letters and articles in Teeline to develop confidence.

Guidance on effective ways to learn Teeline are also included to ensure quick progression.

MP3 files are sent via Internet providing a range of dictation exercises and speed passages which students can use again and again for practice whenever they wish.

For those who wish to use shorthand in a general business environment, then reaching speeds of 80 wpm plus would be sufficient.

Journalists and others in a more demanding role, would need to develop their speed further to 100 wpm and above.

As you complete your course work you can either scan in your shorthand notes and email them for feedback or post them if you would find that easier.

You will also provide your transcripts on a word processor.

You will need to have a computer with a sound card and headphones or speakers.

EXAMS

Various exam boards have speed exams from 40 wpm to 100 wpm plus.  You can choose which board you prefer depending on availability in your area.

We can also provide our own speed exams if preferred.