5 ms·

The UK has a similar concept in the well-regarded and successful Open University. They’re even accredited in the US. http://www.openuniversity.edu/ http://www.

The UK has a similar concept in the well-regarded and successful Open University. They’re even accredited in the US. http://www.openuniversity.edu/ http://www.openuniversity.edu/

cosmodisk 6y ago
I studied there.Graduaded with £15K debt. While it's highly accessible,the quality of studies is a bit hit and miss tbh..
- toby- 6y ago
  I studied with the OU too, though only a Diploma of Higher Education (equivalent of 2/3rds of a Bachelor's; I think Americans would call it an 'Associate's Degree'?). I found the material of good quality, and the tutorials/lectures I attended were fantastic. I did, admittedly, feel that the level of support could've been greater, but for a predominantly distance learning education that's par for the course, IMO. The debt is indeed a bummer! Still, their fees are lower than most other UK universities right now, and my study landed me my current DevOps position, so I'm very happy.
  - GordonS 6y ago
    I did a BSc in Computing at the OU, completing it around 2010. I was also very happy with the quality of the courses - I don't recall any module being sub-par. While I didn't personally feel like I needed support, there were others in my tutor groups that did, and it was apparent that the level of input from tutors varied wildly - I recall one that offered weekly 1-on-1s for anyone that wanted, and another that took days or even weeks to respond to any query whatsoever. My wife is now studying at the OU, and her more contemporary opinion echos everything I said above.
- peteretep 6y ago
  > the quality of studies is a bit hit and miss I studied at a university that regularly ranks top three in the world, and felt exactly the same way...
Tomte 6y ago
Many Germans use it over the FernUni, because (a) there are many, many more courses, and (b) you don't need Abitur. The FernUni is a traditional university with traditional limits to access.
godelmachine 6y ago
Is it accredited by WES Global Services?
- peteretep 6y ago
  In the UK it is in every way considered a real university on a par with the others, so I would have to imagine so. It’s been running since 1969.
gallegojaime 6y ago
Shameless plug for the UNED, as well. From what I've heard, it's very similar to FernUni: they have exam points you attend, and the rest is online and with UNED books (they used to have these hilariously Soviet-like designs). I considered it for my studies, since my area's universities were pretty far away. They're as strict as the regular Spanish universities and you'll get the same degree.
- iagovar 6y ago
  Studying through UNED is pretty hard though. Spanish universities are still pretty opposed to other countries style of handholding education that Bolonia (tried) brought to Spain, and UNED is probably the most extreme version of that. Also, depending on the faculty, UNED books can be pretty bad (and expensive), although I heard this changed lately. From what I gather from people in other countries, they also require you to study and to be competent, but it is extremely rare to find teachers and professors with ridiculous standards that you often find in Spain. So, If you have the opportunity, save yourself the pain. You'll still learn, be respected and it will be easier.

The UK has a similar concept in the well-regarded and successful Open University. They’re even accredited in the US. http://www.openuniversity.edu/ http://www.openuniversity.edu/

cosmodisk 6y ago

I studied there.Graduaded with £15K debt. While it's highly accessible,the quality of studies is a bit hit and miss tbh..

toby- 6y ago
I studied with the OU too, though only a Diploma of Higher Education (equivalent of 2/3rds of a Bachelor's; I think Americans would call it an 'Associate's Degree'?). I found the material of good quality, and the tutorials/lectures I attended were fantastic. I did, admittedly, feel that the level of support could've been greater, but for a predominantly distance learning education that's par for the course, IMO. The debt is indeed a bummer! Still, their fees are lower than most other UK universities right now, and my study landed me my current DevOps position, so I'm very happy.
- GordonS 6y ago
  I did a BSc in Computing at the OU, completing it around 2010. I was also very happy with the quality of the courses - I don't recall any module being sub-par. While I didn't personally feel like I needed support, there were others in my tutor groups that did, and it was apparent that the level of input from tutors varied wildly - I recall one that offered weekly 1-on-1s for anyone that wanted, and another that took days or even weeks to respond to any query whatsoever. My wife is now studying at the OU, and her more contemporary opinion echos everything I said above.
peteretep 6y ago
> the quality of studies is a bit hit and miss I studied at a university that regularly ranks top three in the world, and felt exactly the same way...

Tomte 6y ago

Many Germans use it over the FernUni, because (a) there are many, many more courses, and (b) you don't need Abitur. The FernUni is a traditional university with traditional limits to access.

godelmachine 6y ago

Is it accredited by WES Global Services?

peteretep 6y ago
In the UK it is in every way considered a real university on a par with the others, so I would have to imagine so. It’s been running since 1969.

gallegojaime 6y ago

Shameless plug for the UNED, as well. From what I've heard, it's very similar to FernUni: they have exam points you attend, and the rest is online and with UNED books (they used to have these hilariously Soviet-like designs). I considered it for my studies, since my area's universities were pretty far away. They're as strict as the regular Spanish universities and you'll get the same degree.

iagovar 6y ago
Studying through UNED is pretty hard though. Spanish universities are still pretty opposed to other countries style of handholding education that Bolonia (tried) brought to Spain, and UNED is probably the most extreme version of that. Also, depending on the faculty, UNED books can be pretty bad (and expensive), although I heard this changed lately. From what I gather from people in other countries, they also require you to study and to be competent, but it is extremely rare to find teachers and professors with ridiculous standards that you often find in Spain. So, If you have the opportunity, save yourself the pain. You'll still learn, be respected and it will be easier.