University of London

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by St.Jayne, Dec 29, 2005.

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  1. St.Jayne

    St.Jayne New Member

    Hi. I'm new and after doing some reading I'd like to know what people think of the University of London. I've a read a complaint or two, but have read some good stuff also... But I still have questions. For one I'm not sure if I understand how the University works. Is it sort of like COSC or TESC? The reason why I ask that is when they talk about their fees (the fees for attending the UoL) they then say:
    "You should also budget for the cost of any tuition that you arrange, and the fee that is levied by your local examination centre to cover its costs."
    :confused:
    Also what is a "paper-based" degree? When you're there in person?

    I bet these are pretty basic questions, but I just haven't found the answers. Thanks.
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    St.Jayne - U of L is a good school that's been doing distance learning for a long, long time. In general, you sign up for a course, they send you the materials, you study your ass off and then you take the exam. There are some programs (I think it's mostly the grad programs) where there is an instructor/tutor/mentor or whatever they call it - someone to answer questions. I believe that most of the undergrad programs are strictly self-taught. I've heard that the exams are tough (but in the end, that's a good thing, no?) I think that the idea of "budget for any tuition that you arrange" means that there are places you can go to get tutoring for the exams. This is not directly connected to the school and so the cost of this tutoring is extra, beyond the cost of the course. The "fees levied by the local exam center" refers to whatever is charged (usually something like $50.00) by the place where you take your exam (they provide a proctor to insure that all the exam rules are followed). I'm not a U of L guy but perhaps some other members will chime in. Our very own Nosborne is involved with the U of L and could probably shed some light. If he doesn't spot this thread then you could send him a Personal Message (PM). Good luck.
    Jack
     
  3. St.Jayne

    St.Jayne New Member

    Thanks Jack. That helps.
    I'm both excited and terrified at the thought of going back to college. I wish I had the time I did when I was a bit younger! Again thanks for your help.
     
  4. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    tuition

    St.Jayne,

    Your confusion might arise from the fact that the word "tuition" means different things in the U.S. and the U.K.

    The University of London charges "fees" for its educational services.

    Most U.S. Universities charge "tuition" for their educational services. (UC Berkeley uses "fees" rather than "tuition"; I don't know why.)

    Now, the University of London per se, does not educate anybody. Lectures, seminars, laboratories, etc. are all the responsibility of the constituent colleges. In the University of London external postgraduate programme in Laws, for example, two Colleges develop all the materials and run the program. These are University College London and Queen Mary.

    (There are six or so constitutent Colleges that have postgraduate Laws programmes for resident students but only these two are involved in the External programme.)

    Examinations for degrees are conducted University wide. Students all take the same examinations regardless of their College or whether they are internal or external students.

    Now, in the U.K. system, "tuition" means the stuff constitutent colleges do to educate their students and prepare them for the University exams. But if you are an external student, you HAVE no College and must therefore obtain, and pay for, "tuition" from some source unconnected with the University. (I was using an outfit called, "Law Tutors Online" for a while.)

    The Laws programme is theoretically designed to allow the student to "tutor" himself. Maybe so; the NEW program does seem to be somewhat better designed than the old "sink or swim" model, but tuition helped me a lot and I'd guess MOST external students would require it, at least at first.

    As to "paper based"...this is a term that's new to me. I'd GUESS that it refers to research degrees such as the M.Litt, M.Phil. and D.Phil. where the sole criterion for the award is the production of a high quality research paper.

    The English have several different kinds of master's degrees; some, like the Oxbridge M.A. are strictly honorary awards given to B.A. graduates after a few years. Others, like the M.Litt. and M.Phil. are research degrees requiring little or no coursework. Most common are "taught" master's degrees, awarded for successful completion of University examinations. (A "taught" Master's sometimes allows, or requires, a comparatively minor research paper called a "master's essay".)

    This is, no doubt, much more than you wanted to know.

    Maybe Angela (who defined "bubble and squeak" for me and therefore knows EVERYTHING about England AFAIAC) will correct my errors.
     
  5. telefax

    telefax Member

    What field are you interested in studying at UoL?
     
  6. tmartca

    tmartca New Member

    Re: tuition

    This goes back to the CA Master Plan for education. Under the plan, CA residents did not pay "tuition" for higher education at state colleges and universities. No fees either, at least intially.



    I thought "paper-based" meant a degree program through traditional correspondence rather than it being online??
     
  7. novemberdude

    novemberdude New Member

    Hi,

    I studied with UoL for one year in the LLB programme.

    My personal experience was generally good.

    - The materials provided (study guide and textbooks) were excellent.

    - The school has great name recognition, even if people haven't actually hear of University of London, they think they have.

    - The programme was extremely rigorous.

    - Dispatch of materials was slow, but they compensated for this by having the first several chapters of the study guides available online.

    - I always got quick and relevant responses whenever I had to contact the shcool regarding administrative issues.

    - There is no tutorial support from the school directly (in the LLB programme at least). I knew this up front and signed up with a good tutorial service with which I was very pleased. I am not sure about the availability of tuition for other courses.

    In terms of how UoL works, for the LLB it is like this.

    You register and pay your fees. You get study materials. You get no tutorial support. When exam time comes you go to a local exam location (they told me where it was, I then made the arrangements directly with the school) abd write the exam. I think I paid the princely sum of $60/exam to the exam centre. A few months later results came by Fed Ex.

    Overall I think UoL is a good deal. You get a great name school at a cost that won't break the bank.
     
  8. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    The fees/tuition thing tripped me up too. When I figured the Post Graduate Diploma thing, I expected about $4000+ because I got the "fees" and "tuition" turned around. As it turned out, it's about half that.
     
  9. St.Jayne

    St.Jayne New Member

    That is something I've been tossing back and forth a bit. A big part of my work history has been IS and IT... but I'm think about a change. So I'm not sure yet.

    I want to thank everybody for all the help! you all have been great. There is so much good info on this board. Thanks again.
     
  10. telefax

    telefax Member

    Jayne,

    If you stay in that field, your constituent school within UoL would be the London School of Economics. That is a neat opportunity to earn a degree from a school with global name recognition. That is not to say that a degree from Royal Holloway or Birkbeck isn't good (if they weren't, they wouldn't be part of UoL), just not as prestigious as LSE.

    The UoL federal college system is a little different to us on this side of the Atlantic. UoL holds the Royal Charter and issues the degrees. Each college is a stand-alone with its own programs, many of which are duplicated at the other schools. University College London has a broad range of programs, while LSE or Heythrop are more focused on a single area. In the External Program, a single school takes the lead in each subject area.

    Best wishes, Jayne.
     
  11. tcmak

    tcmak New Member

    Hi,

    Do you have in mind what level of study you are interested? Undergraduate or Graduate?

    Studies within UoL in IS/IT is pretty limited. Colleges offering studies in this area, as I can remember, are Goldsmith, LSE, and Royal Holloway.... as other member mentioned, LSE looks more prestigeous.

    Good Luck, if you are looking for a change, it really deserves time thinking... and of course discussing over this forum!
     

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