Hi, I've been been bouncing around now for awhile with the decision as to what my next course of academic study will be. I've actually applied to, and been accepted into, Capella's PhD program in Business. However, as I've been in the business world for over fifteen years and already have two other degrees in business, I'm freaking sick of subject for the moment. Not studying something isn't an option for me and I'm thinking about pursing a BS degree from the University of London. Specifically, the Bachelors degree in Political Science and International Relations looks very interesting. I know it won't make me an additional dime, but it's something that would be very personally satisfying to study. However, I'm feeling like quite the idiot because I can't quite grasp the whole examination concept or ascertain how much the program is going to cost me. If anyone here has any experience with the University of London's programs, I would be grateful if you would share you knowledge with me. As always, thanks for your help.
I have a U. London MSc (though through Birkbeck directly, not external programme). For costs, look under the specific program at http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/undergraduate/. There should be a page called "Fees." You need to total up the registration fees (per year) and exam fees (per course/unit). Plus a few other costs -- e.g. application fee. Also cost of textbooks. The exams are likely to be one per unit, closed book, essay-style, proctored by a local college. The U. London examination office will help you make arrangements with an approved exam site.
DC- I sounds like you could use admission as an "occaissional student" - a British equivalent of "guest" or "nondegree" student in America. This means one course first. If you pass, then you can continue to take courses as before, or at a higher level. Now, I'm describing the Imperial College at Wye prgram post-graduate program, not LSCs PoliSci and IR Bachelors. But I do so because it seems to me that the "fun" of education should also be rewarding - i.e., at the appropriate level that could gain you more recognition and authority (if you want it). Another recent thread has discussed King's College London MA in War Studies in the Modern World; it covers a lot of IR ground, which strikes me as both fun and rewarding! Here I excerpt: "the King's College MA War in Modern World. It looks like they are aiming for a 30 Aug 04 start date and it will be conducted online through the EKeU. The program prospectus can be found at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/wsg/pro...eprogramme.html In regards to how the grades will be determined "The course is assessed by continuous assessement, not by timed examination. The pattern is the same for each module and the requirements are as follows: " In each module (except induction and dissertation modules), students are evaluated on the basis of four pieces of assessed work: " · Two 750-word essays (referred to as short answers), each of which represents 15% of the marks for the module; " · One individual report on a group activity (1,500 words), which represents 20%; and "· One 3,000-word essay from the list of essay topics provided, which represents 50%. " For the MA only, students are required to submit a 15,000 word dissertation." Thus, this would not have the usual end of course comprehensive exam, sight unseen. And without having examined the prospectus recently, I believe they allow "occaisional students!" And this is closer to American Style "course-unit" approach of evaluation and teaching. This is really the ideal route for people from other fields to prove themselves capable of achieving in new ones. I did it for environmental management. --Orson
Orson, Thank you very much for the tip on the King’s college program. It looks extremely interesting and right up the ally I was looking for. I signed up for pre-registration and guess that I’ll have to wait until September to find out how it goes. Maybe all of those nights I spent annoying my wife with my constant watching of the history channel will pay off after all. Thanks again, Del
