Like Maria I've done the NCFE level 1. Unfortunately the college didn't run the L2 or L3 due to funding issues, so I went to another college and did Advanced Digital Management (or something). Planning to start the AS level in September and complete an A2 the year after that. It's around 3 hours a night, once a week and assesment is usually via a project which will take up a little more time.
I can heartily reccommend the evening classes at college over home learning.
- Interactive training - you ask a question, they reply instantly.
- Use of college facilities - The studio, the library and the computers as well as the printer for nice big cheap prints. Usually, there's a cheap shop for mountboard, photographic paper etc.
- Being a student! Gives you (usually) a student card which = big software discounts on things like Windows7, Photoshop & Lightroom.
- Social Aspect. This is the killer for me. It's nice to share your hobby with others who do the same thing. Getting tips for where to go locally to take photos, going on the occasional day out etc etc. Also, with the mix of people at the course, you're likely to have all sorts of levels of experience. Experts in computers after looking to their photographic skills, expert togs looking to bone up on computer skills etc.. Some people only do these courses for the social aspect, and are vastly over-qualified. In some cases, more qualified than the instructor!
Have a look at your local college prospectus and see what they offer. I guarantee you'll have a good time.
Ian.