University of Leicester?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TCord1964, Jun 6, 2008.

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  1. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I never thought I would be considering a program outside of the U.S., but the University of Leicester has a very interesting MA in Communications, Media and Public Relations. Taking into account the currency conversion, the program is about $13,800 US, which is actually about the same price or even lower than similar DL programs I have found in the USA. I know the University of Leicester has proper accreditation in the UK, and most employers in the USA have probably never heard of it (but then again, they probably haven't heard of Austin Peay University, either...another school I'm considering), but the program looks great.

    Does anybody have any feedback on the University of Leicester in terms of what they think of the DL offerings, rigor of the programs, reputation in the UK or elsewhere, etc.?
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I represent the University of Leicester's Centre for Labour Market Studies in North America. Therefore, my opinions are subject to bias, even if you're inquiring about specific programs we do not represent.

    I continue to be impressed by the university's efforts to deliver effective distance programs to students around the world.

    The University of Leicester is a top-20 UK university, and is in the top 200 around the world. Its programs and degrees are widely recognized and accepted. Additionally, its students routinely rate it as one of the best in the UK for students.

    Good luck in your search!
     
  3. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Thanks for the prompt response, Rich. I do have a few more questions, if you don't mind.

    It appears that the University of Leicester's programs are correspondence, rather than online courses, correct? Are there exams? If so, are they proctored, do they require attendance at a specific testing center, or does a student simply submit a thesis via email?

    I looked over the university's web site, and believe it or not it appears to be similar to Penn Foster College in terms of program delivery, but I couldn't figure out if there were final, proctored exams, which PFC does have.

    Thanks!
     
  4. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    The course assignments are written essays which would likely indicate the courses are traditional correspondence delivery rather than online delivery. However, it might be possible, and highly likely, that assignments can be submitted via email.

    [quoteAre there exams? If so, are they proctored, do they require attendance at a specific testing center, or does a student simply submit a thesis via email? [/quote]

    Yes, there are examinations held twice yearly at designated locations in the UK. I could not find any information indicating that the examinations are held globally unlike those of the University of London. The assessment information provided more details.
     
  5. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Yes, there are examinations held twice yearly at designated locations in the UK. I could not find any information indicating that the examinations are held globally unlike those of the University of London. The assessment information provided more details.[/QUOTE]

    I didn't see any mention on their web site that exams are taken on site in the UK, which is why I was wondering how the exams were taken if there are any. I've looked all through the University of Leicester's web site, specifically the information dealing the master's program I'm interested in, and see no mention of on site exams. In fact, the web site states the degree can be done completely by DL.
     
  6. Scott Henley

    Scott Henley New Member

    The University of Leicester is a Ranked #21 out of 113 UK universities by the Times Good University Guide; quite a respectable ranking. I have known two professors in Canada that had Ph.D.'s from Leicester.

    Summary: Leicester is a well-ranked British university that is very well known internationally (well, anywhere outside the US).
     
  7. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    The web site mentions an examination at the end of Year 1, but does not say anything about whether it is proctored or its location. You should write the admissions office of University of Leicester and inquire.
     
  8. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I got an email today from the University of Leicester. I found this line to be very interesting:

    "Applications are welcomed from students who do not have the formal qualifications of a first or second-class honours degree, but have relevant professional qualifications and experience. An applicant may be invited to submit a 2,000 word entry assignment in support of their application. A choice of questions will be provided should the admissions panel require this."

    I do not yet have my BA. I currently have about 107 credit hours, and I'll have about 15 more when I finish the current semester with Penn Foster College. I only have a couple of upper level credits and still need to finish about 15 credit hours worth of General Education courses. Still, I'm giving serious thought to enrolling in this graduate program. I have more than 20 years worth of work experience relevant to this degree, so I think I have a better-than-average chance of being accepted.

    However, I am concerned that there might be consequences to bypassing an undergrad degree (for now, I would still finish it later), although I'm not sure what they would be. Also, I would need some type of student aid, which I'm not sure would be available for a DL program in the U.K.
     
  9. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    I would complete the BA since you are so close, but you could also apply to the MA programme concurrently. You have worked very hard to earn those 107 credit hours; it would be foolish to toss them aside now. The fact you are completing a BA in addition to your professional experience would likely help your application.
     
  10. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    This paragraph I found on the University of Leicester's CLS web site make it appear more unlikely I'll be able to swing this program:

    "Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education changed the rule on this in 2006, and distance learning students studying at non-U.S. universities are no longer eligible for financial aid. However, there are many loan programs designed to pay for tuition; we will be glad to assist you in locating a lender."

    I would definitely need some type of aid or loan to be able to afford the $13,000 price tag for the program. On the plus side, books are included in the program, which would help me save money. Perhaps somebody knows of some type of loan program available to encourage students to study overseas?

    Who knows...maybe the U.S. dollar will bounce back and the conversion rate will make the program more affordable. :rolleyes:
     
  11. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    As a journalist you could possibly write and sell a few freelance articles to earn the money to cover the costs of the degree. I have no idea about the lucrativenesses of freelance journalism, but it might be an idea worth exploring. On the other hand, a personal loan or line of credit for USD13000.00 over a two year period could pay sufficient dividends upon completion to make the investment in yourself worthwhile.

    Take a look at these resources to determine if there is any grant or loan for which you might be eligible:

    Study Abroad Loans
    SallieMae International
    US Department of Education
     
  12. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    You can find lenders who will loan you the funds. All loans accrue interest while you're in school, and payments are often deferred while enrolled. But interest accumulates. Some lenders have you pay the interest only while in school, while others will allow you to capitalize it (fold it into the principal).

    These loans are not unlike unsubsidized Stafford loans, by the way--hardly a disadvantage.

    Finally, if you have current student loans, you can still defer them while taking your degree program at the University of Leicester. The University is approved to participate in US Federal Financial Aid programs, and their school code is G22291. You can request the necessary paperwork from the University after enrollment, then send it to your Stafford loan lender for deferment.
     
  13. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    The problem with private loans is that my credit score sucks due to my wife's medical bills. I would not be comfortable seeking a co-signer.

    I already do some freelance writing and I suppose that is an option to help me pay for a program like this, although I currently live off some of that money, so things would be tight. I agree the payoff after completing the program would be worth a couple of years of pain, but I do have a family to support in the meantime.

    I'll have to give this some thought. I do like the Leicester program, and I do still plan to get my BA in the meantime, since I am so close. If funding my studies in the UK proves to be too much of an obstacle I may have to stick to a stateside program.

    Too bad...my ancestors and my last name are British. It would be cool to have a degree from my "homeland".
     
  14. Scott Henley

    Scott Henley New Member

    I wouldn't count on this. In fact, I would calculate that it will get worse into your budget. It is currently 1.57:1. I would expect 2:1 by the end of the year.
     
  15. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    It's already pretty close to that. The university accepts payment in Great Britain Pounds, not the Euro. The current conversion rate is 1.96 GBP to $1 U.S. Dollar.
     
  16. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I emailed the University of Leicester. I have to say that the more I deal with this school, the more impressed I am by them. When I email Penn Foster College (which I love), I might receive a response within a week (it's best to call student services). When I email the University of Leicester, I get a response within a day or two, and the information is always a direct answer to my questions (Penn Foster tends to send form emails).

    As a reminder, the specific program I'm interested in is the $13,800 MA in Communications, Media and Public Relations. I asked how exams were handled for the program. The university responded that there is one exam, at the end of the first year. In the U.S., the exam can be taken at a university. I'm assuming they have made arrangements with various universities around the country, or will allow students to take the exam at a testing center.

    I asked about the ability to enroll in this program without a BA if a student has significant experience in the field, which is mentioned on their web site and a previous email to me. I have more than 20 years of experience in journalism, and currently work in PR. The university stated the minimum experience required is 4 years, and my experience is "more than sufficient".

    Student aid is out. They don't offer it for DL students, and U.S. law won't allow federal student financial aid for non-U.S. schools.

    The more I look into this program at the University of Leicester, the more impressed I am, and I am giving serious thought to applying once I finish my current semester at Penn Foster College. My only obstacle at this point is figuring out how to pay for it. I can split the tuition into three payments each year for two years, which means I would have to come up with $2,300 every four months, which is a lot of money in my one-income household.

    Has anyone here studied with a foreign university via DL? How did you handle cost, time differences, cultural differences?
     
  17. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Yes.

    Cost: payments over the course of the degree program. 3rd-party lending (with deferred payback) is another avenue for some. The lower cost of the degree program--despite an onerous currency exchange rate--helps, too.

    Time differences: Since most communication is via e-mail, not really a problem.

    Cultural differences: Really not an issue--and I suspected it might be. You don't even have to use UK spelling--they're just fine with "Americanized" English. Depending on the program, the course materials may or may not be oriented towards British vs. American differences, but even these tend to be small.
     
  18. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I went to Australia in 1992, and managed to get by with my "American" English. The only real problems I had were when I ordered a coffee and they asked me if I wanted a "flat white" (cream no sugar which is apparently the most common order), and I had to walk them through what I wanted.

    The other was when I went to a liquor store and bought a case of "Foster's Light" which I believed was a lower-calorie version of Foster's Beer. After I drank half the case and barely had a buzz, I noticed that "light beer" in Australia means half the alcohol content of regular beer, not calories. :D
     
  19. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Applied for the Loan

    Today I bit the bullet and applied for a loan to attend the University of Leicester. I haven't enrolled there yet, but my enrollment is dependent upon me finding the funds to attend. I have spent the past few days researching cheaper alternatives to a degree of this type, and there just aren't any. Also, Leicester is the only graduate program of its price which will allow me to enroll without an undergrad degree (I plan to eventually get a BA in Communications from Excelsior, after I finish this semester at Penn Foster College. I currently have about 100-110 credit hours). The ability to obtain a graduate degree would be huge for my career and my family's financial future, although the payoff would not be immediate. After obtaining this degree, it is my plan to become accredited in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America, an important designation for any public relations practitioner to have.

    To be honest, I'll be surprised if I get the loan. Medical bills have sort of ravaged my credit, but I had to give it a shot. If this fails, I will have to figure out some other way of getting about $7,000 for my first year's worth of tuition at Leicester (which includes all study materials!)
     
  20. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    As I suspected might happen, I was denied a third-party loan for the cost of tuition at the University of Leicester. I'm disappointed, but not surprised. Medical bills have really thrashed my credit.

    For now, I will have to budget and possibly take on extra work to raise the necessary funds for this program. It has delayed my plans, but it has not changed them.
     

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