home study degree in UK - any experience?

surfboard2

I'm currently pursuing an MSc with SOAS through the University of London International Programmes.

I considered things like the reputation of the university/distance learning programme, how much study time is expected (there is a more intense version of my course which i would not have been able to manage,) how the course is set up in terms of coursework/exams and if it is a brick and mortar university with a distance learning programme, how does this reflect on the degree certificate e.t.c

I too work full time, and so spend an hour or two reading most weekdays after work and then a good chunk of my weekends.

I've only been at it for a month so will see how things go but very much enjoy the flexibility it has afforded me.

Sanne

I have studied online with the university of Derby - they have a separate online school so the support is great as it!!!8217;s all dedicated to online students. Didn!!!8217;t do psychology (IT so very different) but all their psychology courses are accredited if you do the residential week. If you don!!!8217;t need accreditation that!!!8217;s possible too.

They also offer an attractive payment scheme (monthly instalments) while many others want the module fee or more upfront if you don!!!8217;t want to take out a student loan. (Wasn!!!8217;t an option when I studied but also didn!!!8217;t want the interest, as a higher rate tax payer the re-payments would have been sizeable anyway).

Access to online study and research materials was great and you can use your nearest university library (though never done this). I!!!8217;ve done two modules at a time while working full-time which was do-able.

elsien

A psychology degree in itself doesn't really qualify you for anything any more so than any general degree. For careers such as clinical or educational psychology you would need to go on to do further training.
Technically, anyone can call themselves a psychologist and set themselves up in a business - doesn't mean they know what they're talking about.

Have you chosen psychology for any specific reason?

Manxman_in_exile

elsien wrote: »

A psychology degree in itself doesn't really qualify you for anything any more so than any general degree. For careers such as clinical or educational psychology you would need to go on to do further training.
Technically, anyone can call themselves a psychologist and set themselves up in a business - doesn't mean they know what they're talking about.

Have you chosen psychology for any specific reason?

All correct. If the OP wants to study psychology for career purposes, they are unlikely to get anywhere without a higher degree - probably a Doctorate. And that's probably at least another three years full time.


I think UEA used to provide a clinical doctorate in psychology that could be done in two years, but I know it was a "rigorous" course.