Affordable University of London online degrees (starts from 6k GBP)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nomaduser, Dec 11, 2020.

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  1. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    Btw, their Coursera program gives you an option to transfer as their on-campus student.
    So you can complete most of their modules online and transfer to their real campus and finish your degree there.
    That'll convert you to a legitimate Goldsmiths alumni. I will ask them about this option.
     
  2. GregWatts

    GregWatts Active Member

    Johann, don't totally agree. Yes, distance learning degree are conferred by the "University of London" and not any of its constituant colleges. However, the syllabus for the degree and the examinations are developed by the constituant colleges and not all the colleges have the same reputation. For example, LSE ranks much higher than SOAS even though they both have curriculum in similar areas offered by London distance. Long story short, for a distance student both the "University of London" AND the constituant college would be relevant for a CV. For all practical purposes, I would consider a degree from LSE and someone with a degree from UoL (LSE curriculum) as equivalent... assuming one accepts distance degrees to be equivalent to campus counterparts (which I do). This does not mean that one should represent that they have a degree from LSE since that is not how degree is awarded but methinks it is a bit of a technicality.

    The University of Toronto has a "constituant college" system in theology. Not the same in that you get a "cojoint" degree from both the college AND the University of Toronto. However, imagine if they said that distance students would not get a "cojoint" degree but just a degree awarded by the University of Toronto. You couldn't represent that you have a degree from the college but the college you studied under would be VERY significant.
     
  3. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    Here's the solution for you all:

    The University of London distance learning program will allow you to transfer to their on-campus program after you complete some modules.
    You can then finish your degree at their real campus location to get the real campus degree and alumni status.
    i.e. complete 90% of their required modules online, leave only few. Transfer to their campus, finish your remaining modules there.
     
  4. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    But you'll be getting the same degree!

    Here's Goldsmiths Q&A:

    Q: "Is the degree the same as one offered on campus in the UK?"

    A: "Whether you study online or on campus, you will receive a University of London Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. The academics are those who teach in the on campus programme at Goldsmiths in London. The programme structure and content is similar to that taught on campus but adapted to suit the needs of learners studying online."

    Q: "What's on the degree certificate?"

    A: "Your certificate will show that you have successfully completed the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. It will also show that the awarding body is the University of London with academic direction provided by Goldsmiths, University of London."

    Q: "Can you switch between online and on-campus programmes?"

    A: "Goldsmiths welcomes applications from students who wish to transfer to an on-campus degree. To complete your degree in two years of full-time study at Goldsmiths, you must have completed eight Level 4 modules successfully. To complete your degree in one year of full-time study at Goldsmiths, you must also have completed eight modules at Level 5."

    So, if you take their online Coursera course, I'd say, you can totally say you studied with Goldsmiths, University of London.
     
  5. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    This is different from Purdue Global.
    Purdue Global is a different branch of Purdue University. They have different admins, diplomas, and transcripts.

    This UoL program will give you the same diploma, transcripts through the same UoL awarding body.
     
  6. GregWatts

    GregWatts Active Member

    And why would you do that? I think you are exaggerating the discount from having a UoL degree vs the college.
     
  7. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I think nomaduser might agree with me here: It might well be MORE than a technicality to a hiring manager. A door may stay shut that otherwise might open.

    That would be "wrong?" If you say so. But here it is: 2 applicants: LSE / Goldsmith's - (s)he's in. UoL - you're toast. That's nomaduser's concern - and, I think, a valid one.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
  8. innen_oda

    innen_oda Active Member

    True. All else being equal, one applicant with the 'lesser' school will probably lose out.

    But if the resolution to that is upping sticks and moving to the UK for a year or two, in order to be the one with the 'superior' school, I would suggest instead that time and money would be better spent on other endeavours. Save the cash of moving and relocating, and use it towards a masters or post-graduate certificate. Since we're talking about an economics and maths degree (subjects which can be a tad esoteric), some industry-specific certificates with practical applications would probably get you well ahead of that applicant with only a undergrad degree - no matter which school they went to.
     
    Mac Juli and Johann like this.
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    And LOTS of those come with big-name universities on them - some through ed-X, some by FedEx... Plenty of choice to "major" in industry you want to be part of. Good suggestion, innen_oda.

    PS - I don't think any applicant, anywhere was EVER disqualified for knowing Python. They have Python certs in everything: Python for Big Data, Python for Finance, AI etc. etc. There's probably Python for Python. :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
    innen_oda likes this.
  10. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    [​IMG]
     
  11. GregWatts

    GregWatts Active Member

    Nope, don't believe so... let me put it this way. Let's say you want to study philosophy with Birkbeck. You have three options. First is FT study over three years. Second is PT study. They have PT programs for older working adults. The courses are offered in the evening and the duration of the degree is longer. My counsellor at Leeds did his undergrad via the PT Birkbeck program (MSc Edinburgh, PhD Leeds). Third, you could study philosophy via distance learning. However, Birkbeck doesn't offer distance learning directly... their program is offered through UoL. On the UoL web-site (i.e. distance program) they note:

    "The programme is developed by the Department of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London. Birkbeck is ranked among the leading UK University institutions for its levels of national and international excellence in research in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences."

    In other words, they are offering Birkbeck. One should also note that, to my knowledge, none of the colleges of the University of London offer distance programs... their programs are offered by the UoL.

    If one is concerned that UoL is "ranked" lower than LSE... they shouldn't be. UoL isn't "ranked"... only it's colleges are. Therefore, if one wanted to evaluate the ranking of the UoL degree one would need to look to the college that provided the academic direction... i.e. LSE.

    I don't think this distinction is generally viewed as meaningful across the pond.
     
  12. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Well, not in philosophy, perhaps...
     
  13. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

  14. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Can we take time to acknowledge the fact that University of London examined external students since its charter of 1858, effectively making it the world's oldest degree-granting DL program?

    My own UoL degree was sent to my old address months ago and sits somewhere (apparently in UK) in the shipping company's warehouse. Can't say what it looks like. My wife's DipGrad, while not a LSE award, does mention the academic direction by LSE.
     
  15. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    University choice shouldn't be a popularity contest. UoL just isn't much of a party school, I guess.
    Oh, you DO want the best party schools? OK. All here: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/top-party-schools/
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
  16. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Johann likes this.
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Yep - best place for a party school -- Florida.
     
  18. GregWatts

    GregWatts Active Member

    ROFLMFAO... peace; when want to find a pulse on rankings I usually look at the Times Higher Education, Guardian, etc. These are generally the ones that have a voice in my ballpark.

    I needed a laugh, and this made my night.
     
  19. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    Guys, I found some of the UoL programs are not fully accredited:
    https://www.reddit.com/r/UniversityOfLondonCS/comments/hzumke/everything_you_want_to_know_about_the/

    The coursera BSc program is not accredited by British Computing Society either.

    Q: "But wait, is the specific University of London Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science degree programme accredited? "

    A: "In the U.K, many (but not all) degrees in Computer Science and IT have an additional accreditation from the British Computing Society, a private professional body for computing. As of the time of this writing (July 2020), the University of London's Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science is not independently accreditation by the British Computing Society.

    The reason that the University of London's BSc in Computer Science is not accredited by the British Computing Society is very simple. There has been no graduates of this programme yet. This BSc in Computer Science, like it's on-campus counterpart in Goldsmiths College -- simply is not old enough to have any graduates.

    As per the 50-page accreditation guidelines of the British Computer Society, in order for a Higher Educational Institution to be eligible for consideration of accreditation, they must at least have one graduate cohort. If you take a look at the list of criterias and subjects of evaluation, you can see that the accreditation process inspects the achievement of graduated students at multiple stages. A programme that has yet to have any graduates simply is not able to be accredited by the British Computing Society, due to mundane logistical reasons."
     
  20. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Oh, goody! I'll come back in 2040. I'll be 97. :(
     

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