Is it a PADI or BSAC course you are looking at if its BSAC and you have any questions please feel free to drop me a message and I will do my best to answer them as I am a BSAC Open Water Instructor, I originally trained with PADI so may be able to help out a little there as well.
I'd recommend BSAC(British Sub Aqua Club) over Padi(Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
I've done around 30 scuba dives across the world, my late father had finished over 400 and was a scuba instructor. Padi costs a fortune for a "qualification" that is supposed to be recognized world-wide, regardless if you go anywhere and demonstrate you have the ability and knowledge they won't stop you hiring gear and going out for a dive.

I would still highly reccomend BSAC over PADI
They have a massive community, meets and trips together all around the world.
https://www.bsac.com/home/

On your own? That's just dumb.
I'm halfway through my PADI Advanced, last dive was 16th Oct off the Farne Islands. Two Wetsuits and I was just about warm. Be too cold now. Had to put the course on hold because I got sick. Hopefully finish it next year, then i'll invest in a drysuit.