Hezza
It was 6 months full time groundschool. Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 16:30, and some of the instructors were often around in the evenings to help out, and give extra advice.
The experience of the instructors, and the additional tips and knowledge I've picked up outside of the ATPL sylabus has made this well worth doing. I really don't think distance learning would've suited me.