BPP pulling out of Ireland?

cory2608

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this board and am just seeking opinions. I intend taking 2 strategy level CIMA papers at the November sitting, having taken some time off exams over the last few years (rearing kids and other commitments!). I was going to do my course with BPP in Dublin but a work colleague has just told me that BPP are pulling out of Ireland and closing their Dublin and Limerick colleges!

Has anyone else heard this? If so, it doesn't leave CIMA students with many options as I haven't heard anything good about the other college that does CIMA (can we mention names?)

Cory

J.Ryan

I would imagine that if they did pull out, then the lectures would form their own college again and just step in, its what the 3 (Guessing here - P. Plant, D. Aherne & M. Corboy) original owners did before selling to BPP. I think it was called BATS (Business and Accountancy Training) back in the day.

statss

cory2608 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this board and am just seeking opinions. I intend taking 2 strategy level CIMA papers at the November sitting, having taken some time off exams over the last few years (rearing kids and other commitments!). I was going to do my course with BPP in Dublin but a work colleague has just told me that BPP are pulling out of Ireland and closing their Dublin and Limerick colleges!

Has anyone else heard this? If so, it doesn't leave CIMA students with many options as I haven't heard anything good about the other college that does CIMA (can we mention names?)

Cory

Can you give any feedback on what you've heard about the "other" college doing cima in Dublin, I am considering using them

rebelabu

DBS in Dublin offer CIMA, but I don't know much about the lecturers there, so cant really comment on them.

As for any CIMA classes in Limerick, I don't think there is any other CIMA tuition provider outside of BPP. Griffith College in Limerick only offer ACCA courses.

cory2608

statss wrote: »

Can you give any feedback on what you've heard about the "other" college doing cima in Dublin, I am considering using them

I did the Certificate Level courses by Home Study but then I attended evening class for the Managerial Level subjects as I find the discipline of Home Study beyond me-I know it works for some people but I needed classes as I didn't have an accounting background or degree.

I rang BPP in Dublin and the adinistrator I spoke to (she was very nice but very upset!) said that all the admin staff had been given their redundancy notices and that she thought all the lecturers were busy sending their CV's to other colleges.

I never went to the other college but some from work did because it is near our offices. The feedback was not great, there was very little classroom contact hours, people were expected to do a lot of homestudy but the fees charged were the same as BPP. Also, the strategy lecturers were not supposed to be great, managerial level were OK but that is no help to me.

I suppose I could try homestudy again, but as I say, I'm not overly excited at the prospect.

Cory

mr_edge_to_you

That's a sad to hear. Obviously when Ted threw in the tea towel had a bigger impact than anyone could've ever imagined. Seriously, if it's true it is sad to hear. I spent too much time in the place over the years.

Anyway, found good and bad lecturers for CIMA in both BPP and DBS.

In DBS I though Marcus McInerney and Gerry Hunt were brilliant lectures. They have an excellent approach mixing teaching the subject properly coupled with honing skills to pass the exam.

In BPP I found John Riordan brilliant for Business Strat and likewise Adrian Simms for TOPCIMA.

frogstar

I never heard BPP were closing in Dublin. Where can I find more info?

I home study at the moment but get my books from them in lad lane. Was thinking of using them for dec exams for f6 and f7.

Can't find anything on their site?

statss

One point I find strange though is that BPP were represented at the CIMA open day last week. Not the action consistent with a company about to cease trading in Ireland

cory2608

statss wrote: »

One point I find strange though is that BPP were represented at the CIMA open day last week. Not the action consistent with a company about to cease trading in Ireland

I assume that BPP will still sell their material for ACCA and CIMA, it's just the colleges in Ireland that are closing. However, I'm only commenting on what I was told by them-anyone with concerns could try ringing them directly. The girl I talked to yesterday in BPP siad that there was a possibility that some P papers for ACCA would run next term (whatever that means-finals I assume) but then the college would close it's doors in December. She had no information at all on whether CIMA courses would run and to be honest, I don't think I would pay any fees and take a chance given that they're closing.

Looks like it will be DBS for me then.

statss

cory2608 wrote: »

I assume that BPP will still sell their material for ACCA and CIMA, it's just the colleges in Ireland that are closing. However, I'm only commenting on what I was told by them-anyone with concerns could try ringing them directly. The girl I talked to yesterday in BPP siad that there was a possibility that some P papers for ACCA would run next term (whatever that means-finals I assume) but then the college would close it's doors in December. She had no information at all on whether CIMA courses would run and to be honest, I don't think I would pay any fees and take a chance given that they're closing.

Looks like it will be DBS for me then.

yeah, thanks for posting this, no way would I trust giving them any cash. DBS for me too so.

daheff

cory2608 wrote: »

I suppose I could try homestudy again, but as I say, I'm not overly excited at the prospect.

Cory

I did all mine by home study...1 at a time (except strategic level). Its achievable. You just need to spend the time you would have in classes reading instead (maybe you could go to your local library to get quiet time?

statss

daheff wrote: »

I did all mine by home study...1 at a time (except strategic level). Its achievable. You just need to spend the time you would have in classes reading instead (maybe you could go to your local library to get quiet time?

Do you mind me asking how long did it take you to get to the strategic level?

daheff

i had only 5 managerial to do..so I did 2 a year for 2.5 years. another session for strategic and another for Topcima. I also skipped a session in between...so i think all in it was about 4 years.

cory2608

Just confirmed today with Fiona Arnold of the CIMA office in Dublin that BPP are indeed leaving Ireland for CIMA and ACCA. She did indicate that a new college would be offering courses with effect fom next term. Has anybody done Strategy Level by Home Study, specifically P3 and E3 (I already have F3) and if so, which would they recommend-Kaplan or BPP material. I understand that BPP willl not offer a Home Study service from Dublin anymore but you can still get the packages on-line (in fact, that was always the cheaper option anyway!)

Infoanon

J.Ryan wrote: »

(Guessing here - P. Plant, D. Aherne & M. Corboy) original owners did before selling to BPP. I think it was called BATS (Business and Accountancy Training) back in the day.

ABC was the name of the College - BAT was the former name of Griffith College

Paddy001

BPP is definitely closing anyway, but where would people recommend for ACCA now? I've F5 and F8 to do out of Foundation papers and I was planning to sit both in December

Soulcrew09

Just phoned bpp in limerick and there not running anymore classes, anyone any ideas where else in limerick you can sit acca papers besides griffith college?

TraceyH

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Just phoned bpp in limerick and there not running anymore classes, anyone any ideas where else in limerick you can sit acca papers besides griffith college?

I know Limerick City College are doing ACCA papers, not sure which ones though. Soulcrew, have you been to Griffith for any of them?

Soulcrew09

TraceyH wrote: »

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Just phoned bpp in limerick and there not running anymore classes, anyone any ideas where else in limerick you can sit acca papers besides griffith college?

I know Limerick City College are doing ACCA papers, not sure which ones though. Soulcrew, have you been to Griffith for any of them?

No i haven't been to griffith for any acca subjects.

The Dublin Whale

Got an email today from BPP Dublin. They are advertising their taught courses at Lad Lane for the resits and the November papers. There's an open day at Lad Lane later this month.

lolipop2005

Aggghhh! I've just completed Knowledge level, via distance with BPP, chosen on recommendation.... In Limerick, so was planning on starting the skills level in classes in September! Don't know anything about any of the other colleges in Limerick

Does anyone have any further information on these colleges:
Limerick City College - only heard of them last summer
Griffith College - took over HSI
Pery's Square Business College - i know they run the courses but know nothing about them

Any advise would be welcome... Only came on here by pure accident tonight!

rebelabu

Don't think Pery Square Business College are offering ACCA courses, the are not listed in the ACCA tuition provider directory for providers in Limerick, you can check this on the ACCA website.

A friend of mine did the P2 & P3 classes last term in Griffith in Limerick and was happy with the classes, well after he get his results in August that might be different!!!

statss

BPP have a new brochure for November 2012 exams. Whats going on?

http://www.bppireland.com/wp-content/uploads/BPP-Ireland-CIMA-Brochure-November-2012.pdf

cory2608

statss wrote: »

BPP have a new brochure for November 2012 exams. Whats going on?

http://www.bppireland.com/wp-content/uploads/BPP-Ireland-CIMA-Brochure-November-2012.pdf

I can't make much sense of it either, it seems that they will only offer strategy level classroom courses-what they call face to face and all other levels will be some kind of on-line courses delivered from the UK? Anyway, I've made up my mind, I'm not chancing parting with my money for BPP, I've heard that all the top lecturers have already been picked up by the other colleges. Will be interesting if anyone goes to the open night if they can post some feedback on this thread.

PJP

Hi Everyone (Peter Plant here...no point in hiding behind a user name),
I have notice lots of comments on the site concerning BPP and the delivery of CIMA courses in Ireland.
The facts are briefly as follows:
(1.) T4 Free Master class with Adrian Sims commences this coming Saturday and the following day the actual T4 course commences.
(2.) Courses for the CIMA strategic level resits commence on Saturday 28 July with E3 (Owen O'Reilly)
(3.) Courses for the CIMA strategic level courses commence on Saturday 21 July with E3 (Owen O'Reilly)
(4.) Live on-line classroom courses for all Operational and Managerial level also commence in the coming weeks
Why not check out our website www.bpp.com/ireland for details or phone the college on 01 662 3395

As for Peter Plant, Martin Corboy and David Ahern coming together to start a new college called BAT ... You can bet your shirt (including your Hawaiian shirt) that this will never happen.

Quiz: Is cory2608 really Martin Corboy?

PS: Everyone in BPP would like to wish our CIMA students the best wishes on results day (July 12th)!
Kind regards,
Peter

mr_edge_to_you

Thanks for the clarification. Thats great news.

I was told today that my CIMA application was approved so I won't be needing the service anytime soon but I would hate for it to be gone.

I found different lecturers in different colleges suited me best so I'd hate for new students to have the choices taken away from them. Competition is healthy and important.

Continued success to BPP! Were always great to deal with.

Martin Corboy

PJP wrote: »

Hi Everyone (Peter Plant here...no point in hiding behind a user name),
I have notice lots of comments on the site concerning BPP and the delivery of CIMA courses in Ireland.
The facts are briefly as follows:
(1.) T4 Free Master class with Adrian Sims commences this coming Saturday and the following day the actual T4 course commences.
(2.) Courses for the CIMA strategic level resits commence on Saturday 28 July with E3 (Owen O'Reilly)
(3.) Courses for the CIMA strategic level courses commence on Saturday 21 July with E3 (Owen O'Reilly)
(4.) Live on-line classroom courses for all Operational and Managerial level also commence in the coming weeks
Why not check out our website www.bpp.com/ireland for details or phone the college on 01 662 3395


As for Peter Plant, Martin Corboy and David Ahern coming together to start a new college called BAT ... You can bet your shirt (including your Hawaiian shirt) that this will never happen.

Quiz: Is cory2608 really Martin Corboy?

PS: Everyone in BPP would like to wish our CIMA students the best wishes on results day (July 12th)!
Kind regards,
Peter

I don't believe in hiding behind user names either, I can confirm that I was never involved in the setting up of BAT or Lad Lane Business School with Peter Plant, (as suggested by J Ryan) and I never will be either in the future, end of!

Martin Corboy

smcgiff

Far too much conjecture going on here - if anyone has links to official bpp etc updates please pm me. Thread closed in the mean time.