Good news from Univ. of the Western Cape

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Roscoe, Nov 5, 2002.

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  1. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    I took the advice offered on this board and made a phone call to UWC. Additionally, I sent emails to various heads of departments. Althought I'd been told by one UWC rep that no DL programs were offered to U.S. students, I reminded them of their "thesis only" degrees and stressed it would be ideal for a U.S. student.

    Well, I received two messages (one by phone) in which I was told that yes, I could apply under the condition that the research would be supervised by UWC.

    Remember, the school's postgrad degrees are under $1,000.

    Needless to say, I was elated. So in the clearest way I know, I want to say THANK YOU to Degreeinfo and to all of you who provided tips, advice and suggestions on negotiating with overseas schools.

    One other thing ...

    I got the impression that if I'm accepted, I could be the first U.S. student to hook up with UWC. Does anyone here know of any other U.S. student or UWC trailblazer?

    Regards,

    Roscoe
     
  2. At one time I had the list of the number of U.S. students studying for degrees at each of the South African universities. For example, Unisa had around 370 U.S. students (in 2001). I will see if I can locate the list. The UWC number would have been low (and quite possibly 0).
     
  3. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    Uh-oh. I could make history while studying history at the same time? This keeeps getting better :)

    Thanks Gert.

    Roscoe
     
  4. John Roberts

    John Roberts New Member

    Roscoe, congrats on your UWC potentital candidacy in History. Are you doing the Masters or Doctorate?
    In terms of your correspondance with OWC, what do you have to produce as evidence to be accepted into the program and the process time to being accepted?

    Did they also indicate the typical timeframe to completion by going this route?

    The cost of the program seems too reasonable (I never said cheap)?

    For the other board members the link to Postgrad at UWC: http://www.uwc.ac.za/students/indexr.htm, then click on Postgraduates, programs.

    Cheers.

    J.R (ic)
     
  5. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Good luck Roscoe.
    Gert, if you find that list, please post it. It would be fascinating to see how it works out.
     
  6. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    E-mail message
    Here's an email I received from UWC. Feel free to follow up for more details.

    Regards,

    Roscoe

    ***********************

    RESPONSE FROM UWC ABOUT DISTANCE EDUCATION

    Date:    Tue, Nov 5, 2002, 9:35am (EST+7) From:    "Collette Haupt" <[email protected]> To:    <[email protected]> Subject:    Response

    Dear Roscoe

    Thank you for the interest you are showing in studying with our institution. You are more than welcome to apply for 2003. Distance learning for a Masters degree by thesis and a Doctoral degree is possible, provided that our university is able to provide supervision. This will only be determined once you have supplied us with an outline of the research you would like to undertake.

    We do offer Masters degrees by coursework in both the History and the English departments. You do not mention what your current qualification is, but that will determine at which level you will enter our university.

    I would like to encourage you to contact the following persons for more detailed academic information :

    [email protected] Dr Leslie Witz Chairperson, Department of History

    [email protected] Ms Cheryl-ann Michael, Postgrad co-ordinator, Department of English.
    Yours
    Collette V. R. Haupt
    Faculty Officer
    Facultyof Arts
    University of the Western Cape
    Private Bag X 17
    Bellville
    7535
    Tel : +27 21 959 21 52
    Fax : + 27 21 959 2376
    [email protected]
     
  7. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    John,

    You raised some good questions. In fact, I am now looking into them. BTW, what are your thoughts about UWC? You mentioned the cost seems too "reasonable." Do you feel there's a catch or perhaps, something that seems suspicious?

    History was a consideration for me, but I think I would do a better job with a PhD in English. My thesis would focus on a journalism/communications topic.

    If I'm approved, I will work on the PhD with UWC and a ThD with UNIZUL at the same time. I believe this is possible because I already have years of research at my finger tips for both programs. And, as I noted in another post, I'm single and have time on my hands.

    I think the study will keep me out of trouble :)

    Looking forward to your reply.

    Roscoe
     
  8. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    Campus time required

    If I'm officially accepted into a doctorate program at UWC, I would have to make two trips to S. Africa.

    Unfortunately, that's not what I was looking for. Guess the old saying is true: If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

    Roscoe
     
  9. John Roberts

    John Roberts New Member

    Roscoe, other postings on the site this week (see Javad thread) have dealt with the issue of travelling to far away places to do resident weeks.

    I think you could negotiate a ONE only visit, remember its marketing for them and also they want to see you for real and to see if your as good as you say you are.

    Having said all that, I believe if you factor the numbers in terms of $$, its still a lower cost and of course the cultural experience will be great, that is providing the program that they offer is quality and meets your outcomes.

    Watch for the red herrings from the SA universities and dont get caught in what the Brits do, where they have you come in to do a research MPhil (or equivelent), then think about putting you on a Ph.D program a year later.

    Tell them your willing to do the travel bit (one visit only since your a poor student), ask for the offer of placement and assigned advisor/tutor/supervisor abd give them what they usually ask for in a 500 word idiology about why you chose UWC, your research interests, your CV and the 3 references.

    Clean sweep application..no doubts if they start to waffle.

    Good luck

    J.R(ic)
     
  10. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    Thanks John,

    Great advice.

    I should mention that they've already asked me to submit a proposal. They reviewed my outline for research on U.S. media and asked if I was interested in a "comparative study."

    I suppose I could do this type of research to make it relevant to S. Africa. But with the all the work that goes into a proposal, I thought I could be accepted first, based on my topic outline, and then, with their assistance, begin work on the proposal.

    Maybe I have something backwards.

    Thanks again for your suggestions. I will certainly follow them.

    Roscoe
     

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