Advice on distance learning Postgrad course

Ozzy89

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Hi, I have recently graduated from the University of Portsmouth in Computing with the degree classification of 2.1. I have also secured a job as an IT consultant within three weeks of graduation. My life at academia doesn’t just end there I am planning to study master’s in Computer security and found a course offered my one of the university in Sweden via distance learning. I would like to know people’s review on distance learning courses and whether the course is manageable with my daily routine.

The reason why I want to study in Sweden is simply because education in Sweden is free of charge therefore I will save over 6K of tuition fees.

phill99

I think you'll find that Swedish tuition is free for Swedish people but as an overseas student you will have to pay. You need to look into this further.

Annisele

I think the OP is right, and Swedish courses are free for EU students (but not for "international students" from outside the EU).

Distance learning courses vary a great deal in the amount of time they take. Some of them can happily be done on an hour or so a week; others are more like 20 hours a week. I'd suggest the OP contacts the university to ask how much study time they recommend.

Whether study fits into a particular lifestyle is a very open question! I spent five years doing various distance learning and part time courses, and had a full time job throughout - but then I don't have children, and I do have a very understanding OH.

phill99

Annisele wrote: »

I think the OP is right, and Swedish courses are free for EU students (but not for "international students" from outside

oh. I didn't know that.

heretolearn_2

Lots of people work and study and do more besides, it really depends on so many factors we can't say. Full time job being how many hours, course being so many hours, what other responsibilities do you have, how good are you at self motivating yourself to settle down with your books for a couple of hours after dinner instead of relaxing in front of the tv, etc etc.

If this is your very first job though, I'd give it a year first to settle into working before trying to add studying at the same time.

hvj1983

Hi there,

All responses re International student status is true, so why not look closer to home? There are distance learning course online that aren't increasing in cost like "walk-in" universities and if you're doing a course that leads to a qualification that is higher than the one you already have (which you are) then you are eligible for various funding options through the government )

Although not in the same subject, I'm doing a degree with the Interactive Design Institute online which is affiliated with the University of Hertfordshire. Sadly it's not my first degree so I haven't had any financial help from banks/government but this institute charges around £3/4k per level/year with several hundred pounds discount if paid quite early on (you get notified of a cut off date).

agrinnall

hvj1983 wrote: »

Hi there,

All responses re International student status is true, so why not look closer to home? There are distance learning course online that aren't increasing in cost like "walk-in" universities and if you're doing a course that leads to a qualification that is higher than the one you already have (which you are) then you are eligible for various funding options through the government )

They can't all be correct can they, as there are two opposing views given .

However, I'd agree that you need to do some research on whether studying at a Swedish university is the best option, or if there are better UK alternatives. Here's a starting point:

http://www.studyinsweden.se/Home/FAQ/

t0rt0ise

It sounds a perfectly reasonable idea to me. Usually with distance learning courses you can sit any exams at your local uni if they will agree.. for a price of course but it's not usually that high. The only thing I'd be careful of is to research the reputation of the university you want to apply to. As in the UK, a degree acquired from one uni is not necessarily equal to another. Also of course it may be that there is a cost attached even for Swedish students as it is not a normal course. That's easily checked out though.

As for whether it's manageable.. if you want it enough it will be. Lots of people study and work and have families at the same time. They manage. In fact I did.

Ozzy89

Thanks for your advice guys.
I don't travel to the univeristy for exams all work is coursework based. I have applied to the university let's see what happens. :money:

daisymoocow_2

Hi there

Best of luck with your Sweden application. The Uni I work for (University of Hertfordshire) does Computer Science specialist Master's by distance learning. On the UH Computer Science online Facebook page there are students blogging about how they're finding their distance learning - how they fit it around work and other commitments -might be helpful reading.

Best of luck

SueC_2

Erm... I may be being a bit dim, but...

If it's a Swedish uni, surely all learning materials etc will be in Swedish? OP - are you fluent enough in Swedish to be able to handle such a technical subject in that language?