Now THIS is what I call a university…read more
I've gone to a few schools well, and worked for a few others and I'm a hard person to please when it comes to quality education. So this five stars from me is genuine.
Let me give you some pro's:
1. I did my bachelor's degree in Information Systems online and not once did I ever feel like I was 'one of those foreigners'. At almost any hour of the day (including the unholy hours like 3am on a Saturday morning) my course tutors and supervisors were available to chat with me through either Studynet or Elluminate. I haven't seen their faces but I did hear their voices, we chatted often, whether about work or just opinions of the course, and with that I felt very safe.
2. My degree was fast, full of new, up-to-date information, it was a challenge, but not backbreakingly impossible to do. It's well paced, and each course comes with a very handy recommended planning schedule that gets you into the gear of learning regularly. Best of all, the degree is fully accredited, internationally. I'm proud to have a degree that places like oxford, yale, cambridge and harvard actually accept as an entry requirement.
3. It hasn't been a year I've completed this yet and already I'm reaping huge benefits. I've been constantly put in decision making and leadership positions; in my job, my opinions count. This is because I have the knowledge that matters, the knowledge that's worth something. It's that sort of stuff you just can't go google and find out for yourself that easily, because what I know isn't just how to do things, but I also learned how to solve problems that accompany challenges. That stuff only comes with experience, and you get that experience you need. As a result of this program, I can maintain my knowledge and stay relevant. I now know what to look for and what to brush up on where my education is concerned. This degree taught me the value of time management and self-direction. Other companies have heard of what I do and are asking for my services at very well paid rates. I couldn't present myself in the way I've had to if it wasn't for the kind of quality teaching the UH provided me with.
3. I am a person with health issues and at my final semester I fell very ill and was almost unable to complete my final project. Even though those teachers hadn't seen me or had any sort of real-life contact with me they trusted my despair and granted me an entire extra MONTH to finish my project. I fought, they stuck around, and helped me finish. If not for their understanding I'd have had to repeat that entire semester.
4. When I did finish, and graduation time came around, I didn't even have to buy a single plane ticket - they even visited my country and hosted a graduation ceremony just for me and my fellow students here! It was beautiful, hosted in a gorgeous hotel with lovely accommodations and our certificates were presented to us just like they did for their students in the UK.
Cons:
1. It's not free. It's definitely not the highest of the high in prices, it is affordable, but my course did cost me 4K GBP. Not that it's not well worth every cent, but if you're on a shoestring budget, be careful before going into this. You can pay in sections however at no extra interest cost, which says a lot about the integrity of this institution. It's far from a money pit. The best part - the online library fees and textbook fees are included in this, and your books are mailed to you, so how cool is that??
Oh wait, this is a pro, isn't it? heh!
2. I can't believe I'm saying this but I wish this degree was longer and I'm upset it's over so fast. I learned so much, I could have done with an extra semester or two of more subjects. Now I'm seeking a higher degree from them with some more courses so I can fine tune what I've learned. Degrees are best served with a side of enhancement courses, if you know what I mean. If you want to become a complete package that can do anything your career might throw at you, don't just stop at a BSc. Enhance, enhance, enhance. Think of it as a newly installed program that now needs some plugins to become truly cool and suited to you.
In all:
I recommend this to you, your mom, your grandpa, and that funny looking guy sitting over there on that bench. You want a degree that pays you back within months and then some? Then attend this school, I guarantee you won't regret it. It's not easy, but it's worth every bit of sweat and every cent of cash. Can't wait to start my Master's in HCI in September.