U Roehampton $10,000 USD Master Degrees - online

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Phdtobe, Aug 29, 2014.

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  1. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    Phdtobe, Aug 29, 2014
    #1
  2. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    They offer a lot of degrees that seem to be popular by inquirers on this site.

    I've never heard of the school before. It's affordability is enticing, though. A $10k masters? I might have to do some research and soul searching. :cool2:
     
    Maniac Craniac, Aug 29, 2014
    #2
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That's a good price relative to most American schools, but for Americans that means having ten grand lying around, or being creditworthy for it, since one cannot get guaranteed federal loans for degrees earned by distance from abroad.
     
    SteveFoerster, Aug 29, 2014
    #3
  4. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Great point that I didn't even consider. Presumably, and maybe you can chime in if you know otherwise, it's still possible to claim tax benefits from payments towards foreign degrees. These would include both the HOPE tax credit and, for individuals who itemize rather than take the standard deduction, a full deduction of all expenses paid to an institution of education.

    In my situation, the tax benefits would be more important than the loans since I'd prefer to pay with money I already have rather than money I hope to have some day. I might be in the minority, since college is generally considered an investment- a risk of debt most likely to be worth taking on considering the potential ROI.
     
    Maniac Craniac, Aug 29, 2014
    #4
  5. FJD

    FJD Member

    It looks like you would be eligible to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for a degree from Roehampton, which would permit you to claim a refundable tax credit of 20% up to the first 10,000/year of qualifying expenses. For this degree, that would essentially drop it down to $8,000 total. The degree price includes books and materials, so the 8 grand is the walk-away price. And the school offers a payment plan. Not bad at all.

    Foreign schools qualify for the tax credit provided they participate in the Federal Student Aid program. According to DOE website (click on the link on the website to open spreadsheet with foreign participating schools), Roehamption is on the list. It looks like you are good to go.

    Publication 970 (2013), Tax Benefits for Education

    https://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools/types/international#international-schools
     
    FJD, Aug 29, 2014
    #5
  6. Pelican

    Pelican Member

    Would your estimated discount of $2000 only matter to someone who only matter to someone paying $2000 or more in taxes? If someone pays $1000 in taxes would they only be eligible for $1000 of that in a refund?
     
    Pelican, Aug 29, 2014
    #6
  7. FJD

    FJD Member

    This is what's called a refundable credit. That is, you can claim it even if it outstrips your tax liability. So, yes, you could get the full $2,000, regardless of what you pay in taxes, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.
     
    FJD, Aug 29, 2014
    #7
  8. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Fantastic info!

    Now, if only someone out there who knows something about the school can give us an idea of what we are dealing with. According to a very quick, superficial, online search, it is a public, accredited university that has a reputation for high job placement and high standards of academic integrity. Sounds great! But what are the classes like...? I might just be a failure at interneting, but I still haven't been able to find out how grades are based, if they require proctored exams and the like. I might have to fill out their form and talk to a representative to get that info. If I find it, I'll share it here. If anyone else knows, please preempt me!
     
    Maniac Craniac, Aug 29, 2014
    #8
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I notice Laureate International Universities is U. Roehampton's partner in delivery of the online programs. Laureate has also done the same for U. of Liverpool for some years. Only these two Universities in the UK, but many in other countries. Laureate International Universities is a big outfit. You can see all their partner schools here:

    Our Network

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 29, 2014
    Johann, Aug 29, 2014
    #9
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    More on Laureate here: Laureate International Universities - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Yeah, they're big - 800,000 students. Bill Clinton has been their Honorary Chancellor since 2010. Previously known as Sylvan Learning Systems. They've owned Walden U. since about 2004. Doesn't answer Maniac's questions - sorry - but at least you know a bit more about the co. that runs Roehampton Online - the co. you'd be dealing with.

    Johann
     
    Johann, Aug 30, 2014
    #10
  11. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Well, that's a relief, since there's no better paragon of rock solid integrity than Bill Clinton. :thinking:
     
    SteveFoerster, Aug 30, 2014
    #11
  12. Tlon

    Tlon New Member

    Are there any students with experience in a Masters @ this school? Very interested in feedback, and also why they chose this one vs. others. (say HW, RMIT, Leicester, Middlesex or Liverpool)
     
    Tlon, Sep 20, 2014
    #12
  13. Tlon

    Tlon New Member

    Interested to know any feedback on Roehampton…from anyone who has been in the program?
    Also, anybody chose this over say Heriot-Watt or Middlesex or RMIT? if yes why?
    RMIT looks very interesting too.
     
    Tlon, Sep 21, 2014
    #13
  14. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    I'm taking a close look at this school's online MPH program. Anyone enroll yet? If so, got any feedback to share? At 10k, this one might be hard to pass up. I'm not thrilled with the program length (29 months), and mention of "shared group activities" (I'm guessing group assignments, which I loathe) but otherwise it looks pretty good. According to their FAQ page, students can make 9 equal payments of $1,111 at the beginning of each module (so every 14 weeks, given each module is 12 weeks long with a 2 week break in between).

    Maniac - if only this school had a LINGUISTICS program! :seek:
     
    japhy4529, Oct 20, 2014
    #14
  15. DxD=D^2

    DxD=D^2 Member


    Steve, you had me laughing with this one...
     
    DxD=D^2, Oct 20, 2014
    #15
  16. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    FYI... Tuition is now 11k
     
    japhy4529, Dec 24, 2014
    #16

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