scrubbedexpat141

Yeah, without a degree and other shit behind me I think it worked out to about 6 years of studying to get one. Seemed a bit much to me, oh and the cost was astronomical. It's something I'd like to have when I'm 30ish though, that's for certain.

LaLaLayla

I did my MBA here through the OU and absolutely loved every minute of it. I would highly recommend it.

The Dean

M.B.A. = Means Bugger All
M.A.S.T.E.R.S. = Moderate Achiever Still Trying the Educational Route to Success

There's also a really good definition of D.I.P.L.O.M.A. but I can't bloody well remember it - anyone?

The Dean

By the way: if you want to study because it is a good thing to do in its own right, go ahead.........

...... but if you just want a qually, why not buy an online 'life experience' degree from one of those US-based degree mills (e.g. Almeda etc)?

They cold-called me (having obtained my CV from somewhere) and told me that I was eligible for a BSc Economics based on my previous work experience, and if I also took a ten-week correspondence course in "Economics with Applied Maths" (or something) and then passed the exam, I'd get a MSc in "Econometrics".

Total cost = USD 1,275 plus administration fee of USD 225.

I declined, but they're still on my case...........

typical

Sod that - just award yourself one.

http://www.cynicalbastards.com/ubs/courses.html

LaLaLayla

Sounds like sour grapes from somebody who did not go to university.

typical

I find it funny

typical MA* MEng MBA

* Cantab

Bob

Thought OU allowed folks to sign up when not UK residence these days, so probably worth giving them a shout.

My missus did her masters, part time over a few years online via University of London, Kings College.

They were really good, she even got all the benefits of regular students, photo student ID, all those coupons for money off book shops and the like, but best bit was the access to the biggest digitised library in Europe, or it was at the time.

The Dean

Oh I went to university all right - then had the good sense to stop before becoming labelled as one of life's permanent students........

Philip Green, Alan Sugar, Richard Branson, John Harvey-Jones........ not a qually between them......... reasonably successful though. You can't teach what they've got.......

Victor Meldrew

To Echo what others have said, decide what area you find most enjoyable/interesting and motivates you most.

It's like physical activity - if you choose and activity you enjoy, you will do it more often and put more into it.

I would aim as high as you can (ie dont do a Diploma level course with a view to moving to a Degree course afterwards, if you are capable of doing a Degree already).

It will be a big commitment both time wise and monetarily particularly if you are working f/t as well.

Check out the institution you are going to do the qualification with. Reputation can count for a lot in some areas and if you are competing for a job against somebody with the same quals, the institution you have done it with can make the difference.

Good luck

Millhouse

Degrees are generally pointless - especially anything business releated.

Learn arabic and do your job well - or better still, mandarin and be prepared.

Victor Meldrew

Is that in all fields? what do you base that on?

Millhouse

You take it too literally. Obviously i mean medicine

But all those MBAs are not necessary - or indeed my engineering or accountancy degrees for what i do. My point is that most do not use their qualifications and scamp is better off learning someting useful (like a language) than a pointless degree.

Autonomy

but, but.... say Scamp wants to move into a different vertical (the lovely phrase he used) - how do you propose he does this without any academic qualifications or experience? Ask nicely in Mandarin?

douglasgrant

There are literally tons of higher education institutions which are offering degrees and certificates online and you ever need to set foot on campus to get one. Open University is one of them and there are also tons in North America (US and Canada) also getting in on the action.

The bigger well known ones off the top on my head are:
OU (UK), Capella, U of Phoenix (US), Athabasca U. (Canada)

If I were you, I would pick an industry and/or an employer you are interested in working at and make sure they know and are aware of the online program. Its not free and it is a time commitment and it would really suck if you spent it on something no one at that company or industry knows that it exists or gives a flying hoot about. Don't under estimate how small minded people in the workplace can be.