RDI? Distance learning. Are they reputable?

tincat · 8 August 2012 at 12:45PM

I've changed the title of this as my query has changed (see post #3)

Hi all,

I have a foundation degree in IT, and need to do a top up year at level 6 for a computer science BSc. I was going to do it with the uni I did the foundation degree at, but I will be moving overseas half way through the year so need to find a distance learning option which my uni doesn't offer.

OU has a top up year course available which will give me a Computing and IT practice BSc, and then Herfordshire University offers a top up distance learning which will give me a Computer Science BSc.

On one hand, I have done OU courses before, and I thought they were very well structured, but it will be £5000 for the year. On the other, Hertfordshire is £4000 for the year.

Is there any difference in a Computing and IT practice, and a Computer Science BSc?

How can I find out about all the unis that offer distance learning in Computer Science? I have googled, but only that one and Sheffield Hallam uni have come up. Also, is there a way to 'rank' the unis that offer it?

Thanks

dizzyrascal · 8 August 2012 at 1:09PM

In my honest opinion you would be better going for an established uni like the OU or Sheffield Hallam as they have good reputations.
Herfordshire University does not inspire me with confidence to be frank. There are too many of these new universities and some of them many disappear almost as soon as they arrived if the applications do drop off due to the fees. You get what you pay for.
I would worry more about the content of the degree rather than the title. Employers will be interested in your degree transcript and the modules you studied (in most cases) and a lot does depend on what jobs you think you might want in the future.
Also, as you are doing a top up you should get a student loan from the OU.

tincat · 9 August 2012 at 6:49PM

Hi, The OU won't let me study with them as the course starts in February only, and I will have moved by then to USA which is not one of their countries to offer study.

I could apply to do the http://www.rdi.co.uk/vmchk/it-telecomms-pathway/59-ba-hons-business-computing.html

Business computing BSc through the RDI. I have no idea though whether they are well thought of. Does anyone know how to find out?

One option I have according to an OU advisor is to register with a family member's address, and then I will still get the materials sent to them (to send to me) and can complete the course online. Is there any problem anyone can foresee with this? I will clarify further with them, but that may work if RDI isn't good enough.

Aaaargh, it's a nightmare as I've already missed registration deadlines with other distance learning places.

tincat · 9 August 2012 at 7:14PM

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=46596341&postcount=10

This also worries me, that maybe they don't give out proper grading. I got a distinction for my foundation degree and would want to try and get the best grade possible.

cainy1982 · 14 August 2012 at 2:42PM

Hi I have recently finished studying with RDI (BSc Business Computing) and was lucky enough to get a first.
I have studied with them for the past 3 years – completed a HND and jumped to a top up degree with Teeside University via RDI.

The support and tutors are first class and working full time whilst studying was a real benefit to me and helped me progress.
Just make sure you have enough time as working full time and studying is hard work and it can be quite overwhelming receiving a large amount of study material.

Overall they are a Good company, you have the same tutor throughout so you can build a decent relationship with them and the study material is high quality.

The Degree is awarded as if you attended the uni and you even get a graduation with the “normal” students.

To be honest I don’t understand why more people don’t consider distance learning as a viable option as it’s cheaper than university, allows you to gain work experience and means just because you have a mortgage and various outgoings you can still obtain a degree.

jubcheer · 15 August 2012 at 10:41AM

I am a student with RDI doing a Business masters with the University of Wales. I have to say that without RDI I would not have been able to do this at all. It has been a fantastic experience, and the only way I have managed to have a life outside of the work/study cycle.

My qualification is also recognised by my employer and other employers as a significant achievement allowing me to boost my career.

By working with RDI I have managed to study while moving house, getting married, being on holiday, getting jobs and going through other significant life changes. The tutors are fantastic, everything is online so it is accessible, and you can do it at your own pace. It is not as expensive as other establishments either, which is fantastic.

I have to say, if you want to learn for academic acknowledgement, this may not be for you, but if it is career progression, I cannot recommend RDI enough.

I hope this helps.

dizzyrascal · 15 August 2012 at 11:23AM

Since the last 2 posters have sounded like they work for RDI I thought I would check out their website.
The undergraduate degrees do seem to be much cheaper than a traditional university and cheaper than the OU but I don't know how much funding help you can get from the OU for their new fees structure. Traditional universities are offering a first year fee waiver for people coming from a non-traditional or widening participation route.
I looked at the MSc in Hospitality offered by RDI which is £7,495 and awarded by Sheffield Hallam.
On the Sheffield Hallam website the same degree is

Typically £5,190 without work experience placement, or £6,675 with work experience placement

Although this is for full time study and it is not offered by Sheffield Hallam on a DL course.
It is usual for DL courses to be slightly cheaper than a full time taught course as you obviously don't get the one to one help and the tutorials/use of library etc.
I was just posting this to help give a balanced view. They also make you register before you can see any prices although fees do tend to be easily visible on more traditional university websites.

Dunroamin · 15 August 2012 at 11:40AM

jubcheer wrote: »

I am a student with RDI doing a Business masters with the University of Wales. I have to say that without RDI I would not have been able to do this at all. It has been a fantastic experience, and the only way I have managed to have a life outside of the work/study cycle.

My qualification is also recognised by my employer and other employers as a significant achievement allowing me to boost my career.

By working with RDI I have managed to study while moving house, getting married, being on holiday, getting jobs and going through other significant life changes. The tutors are fantastic, everything is online so it is accessible, and you can do it at your own pace. It is not as expensive as other establishments either, which is fantastic.

I have to say, if you want to learn for academic acknowledgement, this may not be for you, but if it is career progression, I cannot recommend RDI enough.

I hope this helps.

Beware of new posters who only register to recommend a company and beware of a company that uses these sorts of tactics!

Former_MSE_Andrea · 15 August 2012 at 3:00PM

Hi

RDI has asked for a right of reply. MSE doesn't endorse anything a company says on the Forum.

Hello, my name is Cristiana and I work for RDI.

I notice that you are unsure about RDI and the credibility of the degrees we offer.

All of the degrees RDI offers are UK university degrees, so when you enrol you become a student of the university you choose and graduate with their qualification. RDI helps you through the application process and because RDI is an online distance learning specialist, in some cases we assist the University to deliver the course to you. RDI has been helping students to succeed in their studies for the past 22 years, over 50,000 so far. We are a UK organisation based in Coventry and are well respected across the UK university sector as evidenced by the many universities we partner with.

I hope this addresses your concerns with respect to the credibility of RDI and the degrees it offers. If you have any more questions you can email me at cradulescu@rdi.co.uk

jubcheer · 16 August 2012 at 9:49AM

Dunroamin wrote: »

Beware of new posters who only register to recommend a company and beware of a company that uses these sorts of tactics!

Thank you for highlighting that I am a new poster, I have never come across this website before, everyone needs to start somewhere. I would like to assure you I do not work for RDI, I am a proud student. If you want to know what it is like for students I recommend you look at the video's and blogs, where many people have had the same expoerience as me.

Dunroamin · 16 August 2012 at 5:20PM

jubcheer wrote: »

Thank you for highlighting that I am a new poster, I have never come across this website before, everyone needs to start somewhere. I would like to assure you I do not work for RDI, I am a proud student. If you want to know what it is like for students I recommend you look at the video's and blogs, where many people have had the same expoerience as me.

And you just happened to come across it at the point that there was a thread about this organisation?:rotfl:

RDI? Distance learning. Are they reputable?

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