Greetings! Does anyone here have any personal experience with DL from the University of Sunderland in the UK? I have investigated undertaking an Bachelor of Engineering degree via DL there and am at the point of submitting the actual application and starting course-work (have already been approved for admission by the directing prof). So any info I can get would help. Thanks in advance!
Despite having no personal experience with Sunderland, I'll say something since nobody else is. If I were in the market for a second masters degree (unlikely at this point), Sunderland would definitely be on my short-list with (this) program. (Oops, programme.) Regarding a DL Bachelor of Engineering, the issue I'd be most concerned with is labs. An engineering programme without labs would be suspect in my eyes, but if it requires them, then there's the problem of how and where they are arranged. Unfortunately, I have no information on that. In the UK, the new Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) performs a function very similar to an American accreditor. One of their practices that I like a lot is their posting reviews of British universities directly on their website, in detail. These include general institutional assessments and reviews of some (not all) departments. Sunderland's can be found (here).
Thanks for the response! Here is what I have come up with in my research into this program. Yes, I completely agree with the labs aspect. However, I communicated directly with reps from The Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE, essentially the UK's equivalent to ABET) and they informed me that the program is fully accredited and graduates can become licensed engineers. The only stipulation (since it is a DL program) is that the graduates would be looked at individually to ensure that they meet the practical aspects required. (Here is a quote in reference to the practical aspects: "...because of the nature of distance learning awards final checks must be made when an applicant applies for membership".) Also, being a resident of Canada, if I am able to gain IEng (incorporated engineer) in the UK then I would more than likely be able to attain PEng (professional engineer) status in Canada because of the agreements between the engineering societies here and in the UK. One of the things about Sunderland that I consider a positive aspect is that they will give only limited advance credit when applicable because they do not want students who are "degree collectors". They only want students who are committed and are working toward a specific goal. I also reviewed the quality assessment report as part of my research into this program and was satisfied with it.
