WWW,
Interesting post, I have to concede that having recently had a look at Bristol Groundschools website, they seem to have a very professional setup going on - although a distance learning course was not for me personally.
You make a point about a smaller school having a more approachable CFI and not the layers of management. Well it might just be me, but I have had several chats with the OATs MD, Head of Training, SGI's (not been involved in the flying side yet, but I am sure the CFI is equally approachable), without any kind of bouncing around in management structure. Don't get me wrong, the structure of Course Mentors etc is in place, but the management doors seem to always be open if you want to go direct, so in my opinion I wouldn't say this is a disadvantage with all big schools - its definitely not the Yes Sir/No Sir environment a lot of people think it is.
Anyway, Doing the modular you missed the MCC and JOC course that you do in the APP price - 40 hours Total and a few more £££, which narrows the gap a tiny bit more. You also say £3000 for accomodation on the APP, well I think being realistic for Food, Accomodation and Socialising in and around Oxford you are looking at £700 per month - or maybe I am eating and enjoying myself too much......
Send Clowns, I think with an integrated course you can have a perceived sense of "Security" in the sense that you pay your BIG cheque and everything gets sorted for you. I think this extends more than people realise. That is to say, when you have your funding arranged and your contract signed you are commited and will be completing your training. Modular is always open to doing some modules, then having a big lifestyle change (girlfriend up the duff for blokes, you up the duff for the ladies etc.) that could mean you spending the money for your IR on something else, despite all your best intentions.
We all know the modular vs. integrated thing has been done to death over the years, I think Wannabee's can be divided up into 3 categories.
1. Those that just "Feel" integrated is best for them (whatever the reason).
2. Those that would like to do integrated, but for personal circumstance reasons can't
3. Those that Want to go Modular, save some money/keep their options open, train more locally etc
Each individual having done their research into the available options will know what they want - so lets try and get people on this Forum to be more helpful and if someone says they want info on integrated courses because it is for them, then let them have it as it is what they feel is best for them. Don't make them trawl through 20 responses saying "well have you considered modular..." because they almost certainly have.
BigAir