Part time IT courses are usually the only option open to adults with full time jobs and commitments who are looking to train for a new or improved career.

The good news is, we're not alone - many thousands of people study part-time, often in very difficult circumstances. Having said that, if you're going to invest some money, and a lot of spare time for 18 months or so, there's no harm in learning from their experience.

Part Time IT Courses - What You Really Need To Know

Many students waste time on out-of-date courses, or ones that are totally unsuited to their needs. Others choose inappropriate courses that they only have an outside chance of completing. Colleges sometimes expect only a small number of trainees to finish their courses, despite the fact that they've paid for the whole thing. Often, they can't make a profit if everyone works through the entire course.

It's essential to have sight of a college's training materials. How can you be sure you can learn from it, if you don't know what it consists of? Avoid any company that won't show you a sample.

Also ask about how much help and support they offer, and on what basis. Even the best career courses might have you flumoxed from time to time, and that's when you'll need instant help. Having to wait days for an explanation really interferes with the flow of your learning, and makes students very despondent.

Many companies say they offer 24/7 support, when in reality it's an answer phone outside of office hours. Only companies who can demonstrate you'll have access to a tutor to solve your problems there and then, 24/7, are worth your attention. (Be wary of 'friendly' message takers who'll probably get a tutor to call you back in a few days time - during office hours.)

Many companies insist on and include up-front payment for exams. Why? Pay for your exam fees when you take your exam, and leave the interest in your account, not theirs.

IT training ironically often consists of traditional teaching via books and manuals. Most people find interactive learning methods more user-friendly, and modern training companies can supply this. Look for courses with full motion videos of instructors teaching and demonstrating, where you can practise in interactive labs on your computer.

Many part time IT courses have priced themselves out of most people's reach. These are often from companies with high overheads, who want to pass the expense on to the student. Look for a training provider that's reasonably priced, offering quality courses for hundreds of pounds less than traditional colleges.