How to choose the best BPS accredited uni to do the conversion course? There are a lot of providers and picking one is hard with little info:
1. Are employers really interested where I take the Masters? I am a qualified solicitor and from experience know that few law firms care where non law grads took their conversion course.
2. Psychology Uni rankings are not really that helpful for Direct Learning students - as the rankings factor in the whole uni experience. Teaching is included in the ranks, but some universities outsource course delivery (eg Essex university uses Kaplan.) Maybe Kaplan are excellent and it's a great solution but it's a bit misleading as there is no information about the tutors and their psychology experience. There are some online/DL rankings but they are limited and not subject specific. Postgrad ranks Glasgow, Nottingham and Exeter as 'top' - but that refers to the range/number of modules offered. What Uni ranks Arden Uni offers blended and distance learning options - which is really nice. But there is no real analysis or comparison anywhere. Am I missing something? .
3. Looking at course modules seems a good way to go. But most seem to offer the same generic core modules with no options. Some are research heavy (like Northumbria). Manchester Metropolitan and Derby do offer a much wider range of options. Kent offers child dev and mental health.
4. Another big difference is some masters are based on 100% assessed course work - others use a mix of exams and course work. What tends to work best for distance learning students? Maybe it's just personal preference? Anyone with practical experience here would be awesome!
5. Fees are so wide ranging - what is the real value added?? Glasgow and Exeter are high and exceed the Masters loan. Most unis charge the same fee as being on campus... even though no campus facilities required (which seems a bit of a cheat). Some unis charge MORE for direct learning (like Exeter). Surely they should therefore offer a ton of 'extra added' advantages. Exeter does add more value added to DL students than most others. Some lower ranking unis offer a bursary if you have a 2:1 or 1st. Does anyone have any experience of Arden or the uni of Highlands and Islands?