Online or classroom training: which CeMAP course is right for you?

September 20, 2024 by Mark

Studying tips

The CeMAP qualification is crucial if you want to be able to advise people about mortgage and protection products. Doing this without the qualification is against the law, so it really is essential.

When it comes to taking CeMAP courses, you have two options though – studying them online or in a classroom setting.

There are arguments in favour of both options. Furthermore, some course providers – including Beacon Financial Training – offer both in person and online training. This blog will make a comparison of the two choices, to help you decide which one is the best for you.

Classroom training

The most common way to complete CeMAP training is to study in a classroom setting. If you have plenty of free time available to you for completing the course of study, this method has a lot of potential benefits. The first of them is that you will be taught by people who have a lot of experience of the mortgage advice industry. They will be able to help you see where you are going right or wrong in your course work. They will also be capable of applying their real-world knowledge to the course, ensuring that everything you are taught is relevant to scenarios you might encounter when you start working as an advisor.

A second advantage of studying in a classroom is that you get the chance to learn through role playing. This involves taking the part of either an advisor or a customer and playing out different situations. This may be slightly more difficult to replicate if you are studying for the qualification online.

Finally, there is the social aspect of classroom training. CeMAP is a tough and demanding course of study. Therefore, it can be valuable to go through the modules with other people, as you can support each other and exchange ideas. This helps to keep students feeling positive and focused on reaching their shared goal of finishing the course. At Beacon Financial Training, we offer in-person training because we recognise its advantages.

Online training

The other method of getting the CeMAP mortgage advisor qualification is to study for it online. This is starting to become a more popular choice now, and is also something we offer to prospective students. There are benefits to completing the modules that make up the course in this way, just as there are to studying them in-person. Probably the most significant benefit is that of greater flexibility.

Greater flexibility means the online course of study can be undertaken whenever you choose. If you attend a classroom training centre, you will be restricted to certain hours of the day. By contrast, you can do the CeMAP course online at any time, day or night. This advantage would make it a better choice for people who have other commitments – whether that would be work or looking after children.

A second benefit is that the course can be completed online from any location. If you have a portable electronic device such as a tablet, you can work on the modules during spare periods in the day. This again makes it a very good way of doing the course for people who have busy schedules.

Online training is also likely to suit those for whom travelling is difficult. We offer in-person courses that run for two days at a time in several UK locations, but not everyone can journey to them. Our online training courses are an excellent alternative for people without transport.

Finally, studying CeMAP courses online lets you complete them at your own pace. This may suit students who are more likely to struggle under time pressure.

Which is the best for you?

The method of learning that’s right for you will depend entirely on your individual circumstances. Those who have largely free schedules and the ability to travel will probably want to take advantage of what classroom training offers. The chance to get feedback from tutors and other students can be invaluable.

On the other hand, people who have less free time or who are unable to drive will probably find online training more convenient. All of our online CeMAP training modules provide the opportunity to work with a tutor. This means you can still get the benefits of constructive criticism from someone with real knowledge of the industry. Each method has its advantages, so it’s important to choose based on your personal situation.

There has never been a better time to train as a mortgage advisor, with business booming in areas like remortgaging. You can complete the course online or in a classroom, as long as you get the qualification.