University of Liverpool vs Harvard Extension School - Software Engineering Masters

Hi All,

I have been reading lot's of different posts on here about both UoL and HES and hope you guys could give me some advice. I am trying to decide which insituton to complete my Masters degree in Software Engineering at UoL or HES.

While UoL is cheaper (and I live in Liverpool - not that it makes much difference!) I am worried they are abit degree mill like after speaking with the 'advisers' who seem more like sales. Also some of the modules seem well abit meh.

HES seems to have good modules that would allow me to get the technical depth I am after but I am worried that it is not a MS and how this would be viewed if I applied for a role at the likes of Google or Microsoft.

Anyone studied with either. What is the quality like? How available are lecturers? How would either degree be seen by a large companies HR team?

Thank for reading!

 

I think your decision is pretty easy here. I'm not sure HES is an option for you since you have to complete some courses on campus as the Extension School no longer issues student visas.

 

tdshipley, can you post a link to the UoL program (programme :surprised? I cannot seem to find it via Google.

 

No problem here you go.

Software Engineering MSc: Online Degree offered in partnership with Laureate Online Education

 

Yes I did take a look at that. While the HES do not offer the visa's the Harvard Summer School does which if I enroll full time would count as my residency (HES Residency Requirement - Harvard Summer School).

 

If I can be a Buttinsky (yet again) I think you can find it from here. University of Liverpool :: Information Technology

There's a Master's in Software Engineering info link on that page.

The "advisers" sound more like sales... well, because they ARE, I suppose. The University is fine, as far as I know, (founded 1881) but you were likely dealing with Laureate Education, which acts as the sales-and-delivery vehicle for U. of Liverpool distance, uh...programmes. :smile: You pay Laureate and get your degree from U. of Liverpool.

OK, time for my nap... :smile:

Johann

 

No "buttinsky" at all, I guess I need to be a better "read the entire post including subject-insky".

I was digging around the internet for the University of London's "Software Engineering" program. UoL, get's you in trouble every time. At least I did not go searching for the University of Louisville's "program".

The literal mentioning of Liverpool flew right over my head.

D'oh!

 

Here's the real content, not the marketing come on.

Study Online - Computer Science - University of Liverpool

 

Let's get even "more real." :smile: The world needs another "reality show," I'm sure. Here's the full PDF describing the modules. I think this one is even sans any "Laureate Education" logo whatsoever...or any Kardashians, for that matter. :jester:.

http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught_courses/Brochures/ProgrammePDF_SE.pdf

Johann

 

Or University of Leningrad. :jester:

Johann

BTW - I believe one STILL has to deal through Laureate, to sign up for a University of Liverpool distance program. Don't think there's any way around that....

 

True ... And Laureate/Liverpool certainly doesn't neglect to stress those networking benefits in its web-pitch for the degree program.

Johann

 

While yes I am in the area, Laureate stress that I am unable to access any of the physical facilities of the campus. Perhaps I should check if there are any restrictions in alumni benefits such as these networking ones but there does seem to be some segregation between campus and distance students.

 

I don't know about the EdD but for an MSc Software Eng it breaks down like below:

Cheapest is if you pay all the fee at once which is £10,977.91 compared to a full time student which pays £5,135 Home & EU Postgrad Taught Course Fee's.

As well as this there is £270.00 library and technology fee, £115.00 application fee, £350.00 reservation fee.

If you chose that you cannot pay all the fee at once (which I wouldn't be able to) there are options to pay in installments from three (probably my choice) and 45 months. This can cost between an extra ~£1000.00 and £3000.00.

I wonder what the split is between Liverpool/Laureate...

 

That's not true, Steve. You need to search further. The total cost of that (distance) Ed. D. degree is a mere $44,856.57 as listed here:

Laureate Online Education & University of Liverpool - Online Degrees

Only $45k. And you haven't signed up yet? What's keeping you? :jester:

Johann

 

---and I think that $45K figure applies only if you complete the degree in the minimum time-frame allowed. In this case, I believe it's 3.5 years. I saw it somewhere on the Ed.D. program pages. Go beyond that time and there will be extra costs. I know it works that way at some South African Universities and I have no doubt it applies to British programs, too. Wherever an all-inclusive degree price is quoted, there is usually at least one catch.

Johann

 

Alas Johann, you seemed to have missed the little "Laureate Education" logo on the top left of Page 1. It seems Laureate Education is akin to Ronald Reagan's indirect quote Muammar Gaddafi (and all terrorists for that matter) in the 80's -- "You can run, but you can't hide"

Sorry for keepin' it real (a la Dave Chappelle) since mine seems to have gone wrong.

 

But Steve, there are so many wonderful options.

Your payment options include:

A single instalment to give you the best possible savings
A monthly payment plan to spread your tuition fees over 36 or 45 months
A pay-as-you-go plan so you pay as you progress through your degree
A three-instalment plan that lowers the cost of tuition

I bet you might even get a shiny new set of ginsu knives.