New FO
I can see your points of confusion - you are assuming all modular students do something other than the course at the same time, and also have the wrong timescale for the integrated course. Apart from a break waiting for a place on the next module I did my course full-time, as did many others I know, some of them timed things better with course dates and weather, were not ill and were working hard to get on the job market quickly. Then it can be done in a year. Also I knew at least one who did the distance learning quicker than the full-time course I did.
In the UK at least the integrated course quotes I saw when deciding were around one year. I don't know where your timescale of a year and a half comes from. I saw quotes from Spanish schools for 2-year courses, but they seem to do a very long groundschool.
Nevertheless Mcgoo sounds to be doing uncommonly well, and must be working damned hard to get taht schedule while working. Well done mate!