Hello there acuba 290
I would say that Distance Learning works for some and not for others. It all depends on your self discipline, your aptitude and how much you are in a rush to finish. I did distance learning though Bristol from August 2003 through August 2004. It worked for me. I had to keep my job going for financial reasons. I used to study on the tube to and from work and then devote what ever else I needed to in the evenings/weekends in order to get through whatever I'd set for that week. After thoroughly going through each subject in the order Bristol recommends, completing all of the progress tests, I then revised once through each subject before attending the brush up weeks where you really do get it crammed into you.
The support is excellent. I would email any queries and found they'd be answered within a day. Also there is a study forum which I made use of also.
Regarding Oxford vs Bristol... I can't say. I didn't do both. I believe they are both good courses. Bristol certainly did me proud.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
GM