jumping on this thread late, but thought I'd put in my pennies worth:
I am amazed there are still courses for GBP3000 around, when you can get the 737 NG MCC for GBP2000. What sim would they be on? Big Boeing or Airbus?
WWW mentioning acceptability internationally: This is one ot the few courses in the UK that are fully JAR compliant, and so they are internationally acceptable. I have flown in 3 JAR contries with 4 operators since I did my MCC in the UK and had no problems.
Also, if you want a check, you can do that in some countries (eg. Germany), at no extra cost, with an examiner from their CAA. This will give you an MCC according to JAR plus a German CCC according to national regs. And yes, people do fail, though not many.
It is a requirement to have flown 1500 MPA, this can and is not usually gained in something resembling an airline, but in an airline.
cheers, IP