You can soon get a BSc degree where everything is taught online
Coffee, a laptop and whole load of flexibility. This is what the future of learning is starting to look more and more like. Source: Pexels

The University of London, in partnership with Goldsmiths and education-focused technology company Coursera,  will soon offer a BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree for only GBP5,650 per year over three years. The reason for the considerably less hefty price tag is because it will completely be offered online.

Due to go live in April 2019, it will be the first undergraduate degree programme available on Coursera, but interested students can start applying now.

It expects to attract “people who are working and need a more flexible approach”, according to UoL’s deputy chief executive Craig O’Callaghan, as reported by BBC.

If you want a more flexible university education that will equip you for a career in emerging technologies as well as learn about machine learning, data science, virtual reality, game development and web programming, this might be the best choice for you.

Coursera chief executive Jeff Maggioncalda called this a “game changer” for a “different type of student”.

Adults might want to get a degree, but “they’re not going to quit their jobs to go back to class”, he says. This course allows them to continue working, but also pursue a degree.

The course will involve group work, live video and individual tuition – all of which will be conducted online. There will also be student relationship managers for additional pastoral support. For the final exam, however, students will have to go to exam centres which will be invigilated.

Professor Robert Zimmer, Head of the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths is pleased to be delivering this world-first programme which will merge the school’s approach to computer science as a creative discipline with the today’s new techniques to deliver online learning.

“The teaching methods incorporate engaging interactive activities, applied projects and personal support provided by the University of London. The curriculum choices respond to the learning needs of students and to the skills required by employers in a growing global industry.”

They plan to get 3,000 students to apply for the course. Those interested can head to the Coursera’s website to register or get more information.

UoL isn’t the only institution offering such courses. At the Open University, over two million students (including prisoners) have received an education otherwise unavailable to them at campus-based universities – students can choose between having tutorials and assignments marked either face-to-face or online, as well as access an online library available 24 hours and with a webchat. According to its website, 76 percent of Open University students work full or part-time.

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