I've finally decided..

I haven't studied CIMA in particular but I'd always say my order of preference would be classroom, live online/online then distance learning (ie more support is better - and I have actually used all methods now!)

Classroom is my favourite - you can ask any questions straight away and the tutor can pick up on how the class grasps things and then hurry on or slow down depending on this. Also lots of quick feedback on your answers and it's always nice to have other students there too.

I don't really rate live online much higher than normal online, presuming normal online gives you videos of course that have been prerecorded. I find it really fdifficult to concentrate on a specified evening on the live videos as there is no 'pressure' from a tutor to stay focused. The lectures are really good to watch back though.

With distance learning I'd say the biggest flaw at this level is that it would be up to you to work out what the questions are really asking - it's sometimes easier just to be told what to concentrate on!

Obviously all the above are considered in the costs of the options so that needs considered too.

Good luck!

I'm currently studying CIMA and I've been using Kaplan's LiveOnline for all of my studies (I've sat 4 exams so far). If you can't make it to the classroom I definitely recommend this option - no being interrupted by late arrivals, students' phones going off (irritated me so much when I did AAT! Rude students too), and you can lay things out however you want. Not sure how BPP's online classroom works but for Kaplan there is usually one lecturer and one assistant to answer questions as they come up. Questions are answered quickly and I haven't had any problems with using it. No travelling, doing lectures in my cosy slippers, I love it!