I have a couple of friends that have taken their X licence, by licence by post self study. Both have passed but said that it required a lot of self motivation. Maybe a course at one of the colleges is easier on the motivation, but harder on the wallet?
I am trying to do all mine by self study for the JAR 66 conversion, but there is little or no information avaliable on this and the caa are a little confused.
Good luck anyway, I don't think there is an easy way!