Programs at University of Portsmouth

Hi,

Is University of Portsmouth (UK) a recognized university in UK and accepted for further studies in US/Canada ?

They have a few online degree programs (Masters). Has anyone taken any program at Portsmouth or planning to take one ?

Thanks,

 

I´ve been looking into a Master´s program.

Here is an interesting article.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3501-409850,00.html

 

Yes. It's one of the "new" universities that were upgraded to full university status around 1990. As such it probably isn't as prestigious as one of the longer established schools, but it's clearly legitimate and may actually be quite strong in some areas.

That would depend on the entrance requirements of the particular program that you are applying to. They may require a particular major or satisfactory grades. But the University of Portsmouth's institutional status and legitimacy shouldn't be any problem at all.

I should add that you probably need to earn a four-year bachelors degree if you plan on applying to graduate school. You may encounter some difficulty getting a three-year degree accepted at some graduate programs.

Sorry. Can't help you there.

 

Re: Re: Programs at University of Portsmouth

Not sure though, maybe with additional courses or a combination of 3 year BS and a Masters would allow admission to a graduate degree, correct ? specially in Computer Science/IT graduate program.

 

Re: Re: Re: Programs at University of Portsmouth

Yeah, I suppose that could work.

 

I need a little clarification here...

1)

A US 4-year degree is one which has 120 credits. I have however seen some UK based universities which has courses in their Bachelor program worth a total of 120 credits but its a 3 year degree. ? I believe there is a difference between 120 (US) credits and UK credits, not sure what though ?

So a UK school degree worth 120 credits (3 year) same as US 120 credit (4 year) degree ? If it is then it should be acceptable for graduate program, atleast based on the number of credits ?


2)

Athabasca has BSc Computing/IS (Post Diploma). Total is 120 credits. The degree requirement says

"Students holding a Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS)-accredited applied diploma or any approved three-year applied computing diploma, will be awarded 60 credits towards the 120-credit degree. Athabasca University specifies 60 credits to complete the degree "

Is this a 4-year degree although they specify 60 credits to complete it ?


Thanks..

 

The difference is mainly that GB Bachelors are specialized one-course-programs without liberal arts components because British students learn those already in high school (and US students in their first year of the Bachelor), if I´m correctly informed...

 

Portsmouth is OK

When comparing US and UK degrees there is always the danger that those unfamiliar with the UK Bachelor degree systems (there is more than one as the UK consists of four countries, not one) cannot safely extrapolate from within the US system(s).

In England, Bachelor degrees tend to be three-years in duration but that is in no way is equivalent to three year US degrees. Reading off the US rules leads to errors. The English 3 year degree is an Honours degree. Large numbers of British graduates with English 3 year degrees enter US Masters programmes with no trouble at all, if they have a "First Class" or "Upper Second Class" Honours at the Bachelor level, especially where it is a single subject Honours Bachelor degree (i.e., maths, economics, physics, and so on).

Portsmouth is an English university, its three year Honours degrees passed by a student at 1st and upper 2nd class levels will make the applicant eligible within the US system for a Masters programme (individual acceptance at the discretion of the institution).

In Scotland, we have four year Bachelor Degrees at Honours level (a three year degree is classed as an 'Ordinary' and those who leave at that point do not go on to the "Honours" 4th year).

The difference between English and Scottish Bachelor degrees? Certainly not in the Honours component, because the award is interchangeable between graduates from each country. But in England, students enter university aged 18 through achieving 'A' levels', roughly equivalent to the first year of a university course in Scotland, where Scottish students aged 17 enter at 'Highers' level, roughly equivalent to an English 'sixth form' School course.

As ever, the input 1st year is different (English students with 'A levels' can go straight to a Scottish Bachelor 2nd year on entry), but the output Honours year of both systems is the same, and it is the output that is relevant to entry to a Master's level course.

Portsmouth is a fully accredited UK university with a Royal Charter from the government. It is developing a fine reputation in both b & m and distance learning degree programmes.

 

Thanks Professor Kennedy for your comments. I believe it then gets down to the subject your degree is in, the degree classification and the individual institution itself for admission in graduate program.