open universities Australia

[luscious Laura]

Hi,

I'm just thinking about doing some study and I was wondering if Open universities is worth checking out.

Does anyone know anyone or have studied themselves with OUA?

WOuld love to hear feedback about all aspects.

THanks!

Laura

[Eugenia]

Hi Laura,

I haven't used OUA so I can't tell you anything about them but I do know there are a lot of Universities that offer external courses directly through the university.

I've done a graduate certificate online from a WA uni, I live in QLD, and I enjoyed being able to work at my own place. Having said that ,I know that others who did the course with me (we had online forums to chat with other students and lecturers) struggled with having no face to face contact. I'm not sure how OUA works but this was the same as going to the uni without actually going there. THe subjects were semester-long subjects with assessments due at specified dates and exams at the end of each semester. The online forums were a real help as I got to discuss things and give and receive help from others doing the same thing I was. The interaction made it feel more like a real university experience, and as a bonus there was always a lecturer or tutor lurking around to offer their expertise.

I'm planning on going back one day to complete the graduate diploma:P and I think this would be better for me than full-time uni. I highly recommend the online route if you're happy to work independently.

Hope I've helped.

[luscious Laura]

Cool, thanks Eugenia!

I will check that out. do You mind if I ask which uni?!? I used to live in WA, so I guess there arne't many choices really, either UWA, Curtin, edith cowan or murdoch....hmmm I wonder if NOtre dame does anything external... will have to check it out.

Thanks for the idea.

xxx
Laura

[Boo Boo]

Laura

I am doing a Bachelor of Commerce online through RMIT University in Melbourne - I originally started the degree when I was living in Melbourne but then moved to Johannesburg with my husband and could keep doing it fortunately - it is working out well. Great to be able to do it when I want and not have to attend lectures. Not sure what course you are looking at doing but I think the majority of uni's in Aus offer online courses.

Good luck!
Laurin

[Mother Goose]

The University of South Australia also offers several degrees externally including Nursing and Midwifery. I completed my Nursing Degree with them as an external student and had no drama's. Enjoyed it and will probabl do more stuff with them when I am ready to do more specialisation.

[belgodfrey]

Hi Laura,

I've studied through OUA, basically, they're just a gateway to let you know which universities offer what external courses. You enrol through them, get a student number etc, but then your course is done directly through the uni, including any online interaction with other students & lecturers.

I found them really easy to deal with rather than going straight through the uni, which can in some cases be frustrating to deal with. I definately recommend checking them out.

Now if only I could get my butt into gear to FINISH those courses...

Bel

[Eugenia]

Hi, sorry I've been busy and haven't replied.

I studied through Edith Cowan. It's worth checking out the universities independently of OUA as not all unis which offer external courses offer them through OUA. THe one I did was only available directly through the uni.

Yeah, if only I could get around to finishing too.....