I don't have experience with the Uni you mentioned, but I'm currently studying externally through UNE. I am really enjoying it - I don't have the pressure of having to arrange childcare to attend lectures because I can download the podcasts whenever I have free time (usually at night) and I can structure my study around my family instead of having to structure my family around my study kwim? It does take a lot of work to keep your motivation going at times, especially if the subject or assignment etc is really hard or boring, but if that happens I ban myself from here (far too much temptation LOL) and I can knuckle right down and get it done. If you are self-motivated anyway, external study should work well for you, but if you struggle with motivation, then it wont make it impossible, but it will mean that you will have to create a schedule for yourself and make sure you stick to it to stay on top of study. As far as the course itself goes, externals get exactly the same lectures as internals (at UNE) and just as much access via phone, email and discussion boards. The only real difference is that you can't talk to them face to face obviously but they are always really good at replying to emails quickly. Even their library services are really good. I can put in a request for a book chapter photocopy and have it emailed to me within days so it doesn't matter if I don't have access to the books at the library.