f/o ufof - 'obtaining a loan from HSBC' - the ease of this depends on your circumstances. I'm 34 and could really do with going on an integrated course due to my age. I went to the recent seminar at OAA/OAT and asked about this loan. It won't work for me because:
1. In order to secure the loan you need a property.
2. I have a property but there is insufficient equity in the value against which to secure the loan.
3. I have debts which need to be paid before I embark on an integrated course (during which time I will have no monthly income and therefore unable to pay mortgage,credit card bills, etc.). The obvious answer is sell my house, but that brings us back to point 1 - no property, no loan!
4. Renting out my property for the duration of my training will not raise enough monthly income to cover the mortgage repayments.
I think the HSBC loan is a great idea if you (or well off parents/relatives) are willing to secure it against their property. It just doesn't work for everyone. That's why I am taking the modular route - no other choice!