The home advantage: studying with distance education

You don’t have to travel overseas to get a world-class education. Many leading universities around the world also offer distance education – which means you can study the same course that students receive on-campus, but from your own home.

It’s an ideal solution if you have work or family commitments, and it does save on travel expenses. But you need to think first about whether distance education is right for you.

Distance learning has come a long way from the old correspondence courses – thanks to the internet. But it also has some unique challenges for students. To do well in your studies, you need to be self-motivated. You will need to make time every day, and every week, for your coursework and assignments – which can be hard when you’re balancing it with all those other commitments.

You will also need to make an extra effort to connect with your fellow students and teachers. Technology makes this much easier – most courses will encourage discussions through online forums and learning groups.

How does it work?

The University of New England, in Armidale, Australia, has had extensive experience in teaching by distance. If you choose to study there from your home, you’ll receive a range of course materials to support your study, such as textbooks, CD-ROMS, DVDs and access to online materials. Each unit requires a 15 hour per week commitment, and you would usually take 2 units per semester. You have email and online contact with your lecturers, tutors and fellow students, and the online university can even mail your library books to you.

Making friends

The University of Southern Queensland, in Australia, has been at the forefront of distance learning for many years. Now, 17,000 students study off-campus in 80 countries – that’s 75% of their total students! USQ encourages students to form ‘learning circles’. These are an informal group of three to ten students from the same region, who can keep in touch by phone and email, or even meet in person.

This way, you can still form friendships with other students, and also share books and resources.

Designed for independent learning

The University of London also offers distance education through its External Program. You can choose from over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate internationally recognised diplomas and degrees. 34,000 students are studying this way, from over 190 countries – which makes London one of the largest universities in the UK.

Your study materials have been designed specifically for distance learning, and you will also pay a lower fee than students studying on-campus. You can take your exams in a centre near your home, but all papers are returned to London for marking.

Anusha Lewis studied a BSc Banking and Finance with the University of London’s External Program. She says; “I could study when it suited me, and I really enjoyed the flexibility. Options in Sri Lanka were limited… I wanted a degree from a recognised and high quality university.” During her study, she moved to Ottawa – but could keep studying independently. “It just requires self-discipline, perseverance and good time management,” she says.

Flexible entry

Although most distance courses require you to meet the same entry standards as an on-campus student, there are no entry requirements for studying with Open Universities Australia. Specialising in online education, this service is owned by seven leading Australian universities: Curtin University of Technology, Griffith, Monash, Swinburne, University of South Australia, RMIT and Macquarie University.

IELTS preparation is just one the 100 subject areas available at Open Universities Australia – is a flexible way to improve your IELTS score and gain confidence without leaving home. You can study individual units from any of the universities, or combine units towards a degree. If you do complete a degree, you graduate from the university offering the program – the same diploma as any on-campus student.

It makes sense to consider all your options when you are choosing a university or course overseas. But make sure you have the motivation to complete your studies – it’s easy to be distracted when you’re still at home!

For more information on distance education, talk with one of our StudyLink Student Counsellors today.

UK: Cutting-edge biotech studies at Newcastle University

Located in the north-east of England, Newcastle University was recently ranked 7th in the world for international student satisfaction in the International Student Barometer Survey Autumn 2007.

It is also a member of the influential Russell Group, an association of the leading research-intensive universities in the UK. And it offers excellent undergraduate and postgraduate studies in one of the fastest growing research areas, biotechnology.

The Newcastle University program allows you to gain a good understanding of the relevant basic sciences, including:

• molecular biology,
• biochemistry,
• genetics, and
• microbiology

You can then focus on specific areas of interest, and undertake an in-depth research project of your choice in the third year of the undergraduate degree.

A unique aspect of the course is the ‘Business for the Bio-scientist’ module. This covers issues such as intellectual property, business planning, financing a new biotech company and real-life commercial case studies.

Newcastle University also has an outstanding graduate employment rate, and its Careers Service has won seven prestigious national careers awards. With more than 400 biotechnology companies just in the UK, your skills will be highly valued in the workforce once you graduate.

To find out whether Newcastle University is the right choice for you, contact our student counsellor service. They can help you with more information about all the course options in this friendly, cosmopolitan city.

The big decision – UK or USA?

Making the decision to study abroad is one thing. Deciding where in the world you want to go is another. For many students who want a globally recognised qualification, the choice comes down to the top two international education providers: the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

But which really is number one? Here, we explore the pluses and minuses of both. And you can take our quick quizto see what might work best for you.

The recent StudentPulse survey found that the UK is about to take over from the USA as the most popular study destination for international students – despite perceptions that it is more expensive. The main criteria students used to make their decision were (in order of importance):

• Personal safety and security
• Reputation of the country’s qualifications
• Cost of education
• Ease of obtaining a student visa

But there are many other factors which affect your overall study experience. So, let’s take a look at how these countries really compare…

Prestige and reputation

Both countries have their fair share of prestigious, or ‘Ivy League’, universities and colleges, as well as globally recognised qualifications. Where do you want to work after you study? An American company may be more impressed by a US qualification, and a European or British company by a British one. But that’s not always the case – reputation also varies between qualifications and individual institutions.

Study style

There is a real difference in the way you are taught. In the USA, undergraduate students experience a more general education, often studying academic subjects outside their intended major or field of study. You may find a historian taking a course in astrophysics, for example. You’ll get a broader education – but you may also have less depth in your chosen area.

In the US, you are also able to change colleges during the course of your study – so if you’re not really sure what you want to study there is a lot of flexibility.

In the UK, students are expected to specialise as soon as they start their higher education (less so in Scotland). If you’re not sure what you really want to study, it can sometimes be difficult to change later on, or to change universities. However, there is an enormous range of choice in terms of study options. If you know what you want, you are bound to find exactly what you are looking for.

Also, the US offers a more structured style of education, where students are expected to hand in work regularly. The UK has intensive periods of assessment work and exams or final dissertations, with frequent less busy periods. This is quickly filled by social activities – the driving force behind British university life.

The true cost of education

In general, the cost of tuition is reasonably similar. Overseas student fees in the UK vary between £4000 and £18,000 per year. US student fees (which are similar to the fees paid by local students), vary between US$5000 and US$35,000 a year.

The cost of living is generally higher in the UK, especially when you compare living in London with living in a smaller city in the US. Petrol, transport, food and clothing are certainly more expensive in the UK. But you may find it more affordable to live in a smaller, rural town in the UK – which could also only be a short train journey from London or another major city.

Most undergraduate degrees take three years to complete in the UK – compared with four in the US. So you can save a year’s tuition (and start earning sooner). However, many students in the UK choose to stay and complete their Masters qualification in that fourth year.

Don’t forget to budget for health insurance when you study in the US. In the UK, you get free medical care under the UK National Health Service if you are studying for more than 6 months.

Scholarships and other funding options are available in both countries.

You can use this handy study costs calculator to work out what you would spend on education in either country.

Work opportunities

To help cover those higher costs of living, it is easier to work in the UK while you study. Your student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during the holidays. In the US you can work for up to 20 hours per week on campus, which places restrictions on the type of work you can do – and therefore your potential earnings.

Once you graduate with a UK degree, you should qualify for the new Tier 1 Post-Study Work Visa, which lets you to work in the UK for 2 years once you graduate. To stay on and work in the US, you’ll need your employer to sponsor your visa – so you need to get that job first, and prove to them you’re worth the effort!

Location, location, location

Both countries offer a vast range of lifestyle choices. From the hustle and bustle of London or New York, to the relaxed rural charm of the English countryside or Virginia. In both countries, campuses are located in big cities and small towns, and the real decision may be which of those choices appeals to you more.

There are different cultural opportunities while you are there. While studying in the UK, you may find yourself listening to a different dialect (or language, which is the case in some parts of Wales) just one county away, exploring castles that are over 1000 years old, or going across the channel to Europe.

The US itself is so big, you may never leave the state you study in – and that in itself may have enough to see and do. Or you can take up some of the many outdoor adventures available – skiing in Colorado, learning to surf in Malibu, or hiking through the Grand Canyon.

Find out more about studying in the UK and the USA on the StudyLink website. Or email one of our StudyLink student counsellors for more specific information.

Still not sure? Take our quick quiz and see where you should go…

Quick Quiz – UK or USA?

1. Which of these is the main reason you want to study overseas?

a) To meet people from all over the world
b) To travel as much as I possibly can
c) To get a job in a major multinational company
d) To learn English in an English-speaking country

2. What would you rather do on a free weekend?

a) Meet friends at a pub for a few drinks and a meal
b) Fly or catch a train to a place I’ve never been before
c) Go to Disneyland
d) Watch a sporting match

3. What is your favourite time of year?

a) Winter – I prefer being cosy indoors
b) Spring – seeing the promise of new life in nature
c) Summer – I love swimming and soaking up the sun
d) Autumn – the change of seasons is beautiful to watch

4. Where would you most like to work when you graduate?

a) Somewhere in the UK
b) Somewhere in Europe
c) Somewhere in the US – or for an American company
d) In my home country

5. What is your favourite food?

a) Indian curry
b) Fish and chips
c) An enormous hamburger and chips
d) I always like to try new things!

6. And what do you most like to drink?

a) beer
b) a nice cup of tea
c) a strong cup of coffee
d) any kind of soft drink or juice

7. Finally, what describes you best as a student?

a) I know exactly what I want to study, and what I want to do in my career
b) I enjoy learning and can motivate myself to study
c) I like to learn about different kinds of things and challenge myself in different fields
d) I’m not sure what I want to major in or what work I want to do – but I know what interests me most right now.

Ready? Now add up your score for each letter.

If you answered mostly a)s and b)s, the UK may be the best place for you to study. If you answered mostly c)s you should explore your options in the USA. If you answered mostly d)s, either would suit you – so go with your instinct, and let us know what you decide!

Have you had any experience studying in the UK or the US that you would like to share? Post your comments below, we’d love to hear from you.

UK: State-of-the-art facilities for HIBT students

Students at the Hertfordshire Institute of Business Technology now have access to some of the best university facilities in the UK. The University of Hertfordshire recently spent £120million on its new de Havilland campus in Hatfield, with state-of-the-art lecture theatres, modern accommodation and Sports Village. The Hatfield campus is home to the social sciences faculty and Business School, and also has an impressive resource centre with 1600 study places and 800 computer workstations.

HIBT offers pathway programs to the University, which was recently ranked the top modern university in England’s south-east by the Good Universities Guide. International Foundation Certificates and Diplomas are available in areas such as science, engineering, law and business. Pre-Masters Certificates are also available.

HIBT students can use all the university facilities, including specialist libraries, computer labs, recreation facilities and student services. Once you graduate, you are guaranteed entry to the relevant Degree or Masters program at the University of Hertfordshire.

As part of the Navitas group of international colleges and campuses, HIBT helps students fulfil their ambitions by preparing them for further study in a safe, friendly environment.

HIBT has a beautiful campus just 20 minutes from London by train. You can easily enjoy dynamic city life in London, while studying in the relaxed environment of Hertfordshire, with some of England’s finest historical sights nearby. It is the best of both worlds!

Learn more about the courses available at HIBT by contacting one of our student counsellors

UK: What the new points system means for you

In February 2008 the British Government announced plans to introduce a points-based immigration system for highly skilled foreign workers who want to move to the UK. The system started on 29 February 2008 for foreign nationals working in Britain who want to extend their stay. From April 2008 the system will be rolled out overseas, commencing in India.

There has already been much debate on how it will impact the opportunities for foreign students in the UK, and for post-graduation work. Here we explore what the changes are all about, and how they will affect your ability to study and work in the UK.

Until now, the UK immigration system has been very complicated. With 80 different options for work, training or study in the UK, assessments have been up to the individual case officer and sometimes based on subjective decisions.

Now, all this will be swept away. These 80 different routes will become five simple categories - with a clear points system for each. It is very similar to the system already used in Australia, which is seen as one of the simplest and most efficient in the world.

The UK wants to make sure that only people with the skills most in need will gain entry into the UK. It’s a way of ensuring the needs of their labour market are met. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to switch your studies to plumbing just to get in! Points are also awarded on your age (the younger the better), your qualifications (the higher the better), your English ability, your current income and your ability to support yourself financially.

So, you can gain an advantage in the points system through further study in the UK, especially if it’s postgraduate study. And you’ll still have the opportunity to work in the UK once you graduate, through the new Tier 1 Post-Study Work sub-category.

Based on the current Home Office guidelines (which are still open to change), here is how it will now work.

There are five ‘tiers’ within the new system:

Tier 1: Highly Skilled – includes entrepreneurs, business people, and top scientists. You won’t need a job offer, and you’ll have the greatest opportunity to settle in the UK permanently.

Tier 2: Skilled with job offer – if your points don’t reach the required amount for Tier 1, you’ll need a job offer in an area where the UK is short of labour (such as nursing).

Tier 3: Low skilled – this category will now favour migrants from the EU.

Tier 4: Students – a simpler and more transparent system for student visas.

Tier 5: Temporary workers, youth mobility – covers sports people, musicians, cultural exchanges or working holidays.

The tiers most relevant to international students are Tier 4 and Tier 1. Requirements for student visas will not change significantly when this new tier is rolled out in 2009.

The main difference is that once you have accepted an offer from an accredited university or college, this will be enough proof that you intend to study. An entry clearance officer will no longer make an educational judgement about the suitability of your course.

Your institution will be known as your ‘sponsor’ under this system, even though there is (usually) no financial support involved. You can change courses once you have arrived, as long as you stay with the same institution – otherwise you’ll have to re-apply for your visa.

Under a Tier 4 Student visa, you’ll still be able to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, and you can still bring dependents with you.

Once you graduate in the UK, you may be able to apply for a Tier 1 visa. This replaces the current International Graduates Scheme and Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme. The Post-Study Work sub-category of this scheme allows the brightest foreign students (who have studied in the UK) to work after graduation, without having a sponsor. This visa will be valid for 2 years, at which point you may be able to switch into another sub-category or tier to remain in the UK.

Ultimately, the new scheme should be a fairer and less bureaucratic way to study and work in the UK. Because the points system is simple, you can easily calculate whether you have enough, or what you can do (such as further English study) to improve your chances of a successful application. The Home Office expects that they will be able to assess applications more quickly, and reject less, under the new scheme.

With extra points awarded for post-graduate study, you’ll have an even better chance for success if you take the opportunity to increase your qualifications. What do you think? Has the new system put you off the idea of studying in the UK? Or do you think it will be a fairer system? You can share your thoughts with our readers in the comment box below.

If you are unsure about any visa issues, whether it’s for the UK or any other study destinations, just talk with one of our StudyLink student counsellors. Their advice is free, and they can help you make the best decision about where to study and how to apply.

UK: Kingston has designs on innovation success

Do you want to take your creative problem solving skills to the next level?

Kingston University will soon open a new centre for design and innovation, called Innoversity. The centre will include a laboratory for designers, researchers and engineers. By bringing all these disciplines together, solutions for real-life business challenges can be found.

Professor Penny Sparke, Kingston University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, says that the university is “perfectly placed to break down the barriers between different subject areas, to allow new products to be invented and creative business strategies developed.”

Each Innoversity team will consist of four people: Masters and research students, and faculty staff; from design, business, engineering and social science. There will be a strong emphasis on health-related projects, and the opportunity to work with local organisations such as Historic Royal Palaces. “Innoversity will take design out of the 20th Century – where it had become little more than an extension of advertising – and into the 21st Century as a creative and intellectual force,” says Professor Sparke.

Interested in finding out more about Kingston University? Talk with one of our student counsellors for more information.

Destination UK

Our recent StudentPulse survey showed that the UK is about to overtake the US as the most desired destination for international students. What makes a UK education so attractive? In this article, we explore what it’s really like to study, and live, in Britain.

Kanayo Enwemadu is studying a Master of Public Health at the University of Glasgow. “I wanted to study in the UK as the UK education is recognized, respected and highly valued all over the world. I immediately knew it was the right choice because of the efficiency displayed by all the staff: they are nice, friendly and approachable.” She was surprised by how beautiful the Scottish city is. “Glasgow is breathtaking; it’s a beautiful, cosmopolitan place to live.”

A qualification from a prestigious UK institution can help you fast track your international career. But there are many other benefits to studying in England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland:

Practice makes perfect: you’ll have opportunities to practice your English language skills beyond the classroom. This is the home of the English language, so it’s no surprise that every year over 600,000 international students study English in the UK.

Traditional or state-of-the-art: From the prestige of universities like Oxford or Cambridge, to high-tech facilities at many purpose-built campuses. With over 3000 educational institutions in the UK, you’ll find the right course and location for you.

Earn while you learn: Did you know you can work for up to 20 hours per week during term-time, and full-time during the holidays? This means you can add to your student funds with the extra income – and also gain valuable work experience in your chosen field.

And earn once you’ve learned: Plus, the new International Graduates Scheme allows all international students to work for up to 12 months after graduation.  In February 2008, the British Government announced plans to introduce an 'Australian-style', points-based immigration system for highly-skilled foreign workers who want to move to the UK. The system started on 29 February 2008 for foreign nationals working in Britain who want to extend their stay. From April 2008 the system will be rolled out overseas.

Discover Europe: There are so many places to explore, and travelling from the UK to Europe is easy. The channel tunnel train links London directly to Paris and Brussels, or you can fly to cities like Rome, Madrid or Lisbon in just a few hours.

Or discover the UK: For such a small nation, the UK is extremely diverse. 60 million people live in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and each region has its own distinct culture and history. Some even have their own language.

Your home away from home: The UK has many multicultural communities. You’ll find shops selling all your favourite foods from home, in every major city. You’ll also find many people who speak your language, and places of worship for all major religions.

It’s no wonder that the latest survey by UKCOSA (the Council for International Education) found that nearly 90% of international students in the UK were satisfied with their experience. But, like any study abroad opportunity, there will be some differences to adjust to.

Tomono, from Japan, studied English at a language school in Brighton. “At first it took me a while to adjust to the strange food and the public transport system. I was really homesick. But as my confidence in speaking English improved, I met more people and really enjoyed myself.”

Studying in the UK will develop your independence, creativity, and self-reliance – and these qualities will make you even more attractive to employers around the world.

There is still time to apply for September intake in the UK. To find out more about the huge range of courses available in the UK, contact one of our student counsellors today.

UK: Bath Spa University recognised for green achievements

Looking for a university that is taking positive action on climate change? Bath Spa University recently won a Silver award in the UK EcoCampus Scheme. It was the first university to be recognised with this award.

Professor Frank Morgan, Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University, said: “We feel strongly that higher education has an important wider role in achieving sustainability and helping reduce climate change. We have an ambitious energy management programme aimed at reducing our carbon emissions by 10% within two years.”

The EcoCampus scheme was set up in 2005 and is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). A new recycling and energy-saving programme helped Bath Spa University achieve its Silver status.

Motion-sensing lights and long-life energy saving lightbulbs have already been installed in one teaching block and a student accommodation building. A green transport plan is also in progress.

Bath Spa University has two campuses in the historical town of Bath in England’s south-west. The town is well-known for its Roman baths and Georgian architecture.

With its history and beautiful countryside, it is no surprise that the staff and students take their responsibility towards the environment very seriously. The university is also one of the highest-ranked modern universities in England, and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate course for international students.

To find out more about opportunities to study in Bath, contact one of our student counsellors today.

UK: Creative new media at the University of Derby

If you are interested in combining your creative flair with the endless opportunities in new technology and media, then the University of Derby’s School of Art and Design may be for you.

After recently opening a brand new £21m building for the faculty, the university boasts the newest arts, design and technology facility in the UK. As well as covering subject areas in the traditional way, they also promote the interaction of art and design with media, technology and the humanities (arts) - which will give you vital technological skills and expertise for today’s workplace.

The School of Art & Design also conducts commercial training through its Creative Exchange. With accredited Apple training and industry level media production courses, it’s a great way for creative business employees to get the skills they need. They offer expert tuition in camera skills, filming and editing, digital printing, colour management and Adobe software programmes such as Photoshop and InDesign.

The University of Derby is a modern, friendly university with two campuses in the centre of England. The city of Derby is small and safe, and within easy reach of larger cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham. The university was short-listed last year for the Times Higher Education Supplement University of the Year award – largely due to the new high-tech facilities at the School or Art & Design, and the beautiful new Buxton campus for tourism, hospitality, beauty and health courses.

The university was also recently voted best in the UK for English language support in an independent survey of 18,000 international students at 25 campuses.

If you are interested in a university with a real focus on positive student experiences, contact one of our student counsellors to find out more about all the courses available at the University of Derby.