Don't be too concerned with the hours. If you are studying by distance learning, then these time are only a guide. It will take as long as it takes, depending on your existing knowledge and experience. With Distance learning, you will aslo be required to attend 2 sets of 2 week brush up courses at the relevent school.
Having said that, most schools in the UK base their syllabus around the 650 hours total. If you attend a full time course then this will take around 6-7 months in total. Studying distance learing (DL) can take anywhere from the same time, up to many years to complete. As I said before, depends on the person.
All the schools in the UK are good, and have a reasonable pass rate. Try and get as much feedback questions as you can. Learn the subject, do the feedback questions, then use the feedback to highlight any parts that you are not confident with. Repeat process until you cant think of anything other than calvert lighting systems, then sit the exam, pass, then process to nearest bar to celebrate.
Best school in the UK? Who knows! I'm sure this thread will end up with a list of people recommending their own school. Anyhoo but here is a list of their webbie sites.
Brizzol
Cabair
Oxford
AFT
Glasgae ya wee chube!
Landahn init