hello! good to do some research and talk to others. the huge huge difference is that the degree is academic and therefore completely different to NVQs which demand very little in terms of academic writing. About 70% of my degree students do an academic writing course first and they report it prepares them well. Those who dont invariably flounder as of course you dont get chances or re assessed, your work is graded, then pass or fail.
It is a superb course DEPENDING on where you do it of course! it isn't easy, of course it isn't its a degree but if you enjoy study it is a powerful experience.
On my degree NVQs dont count for any points, the learning is so different it is irrelevant it may count in terms of ucas points but i have yet to see anything from the L4 translate to FD.
i would always counsel a taught class but some of my mentees do it distance learning, they do however miss out on the learning they get from others and the whole uni experience but if you are an independent motivated learner it can work.
Go and see some unis and read the prospectuses very thoroughly.
as to books there aren't textbooks as such the range of topics is so vast it is misleading to look at them as they are merely dictionaries of what to cover. There is a level 4 5 book but we dont use it as it is completely inadequate. Quoting from a textbook, a course book is highly discouraged as they are not deep or rigorous enough. but for example
this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Ear...9162357&sr=8-1
marketed as degree level is just an intro and not approved on the 3 unis i work for
this book however
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbook-Ref...9162397&sr=8-2
in the one my first years are using among 4 or 5 for their first unit assignment.