I am currently looking into doing a PhD either at a British or Australian university. I want to do it whilst physically being in Italy iyswim as studying on campus would be difficult with a toddler in tow! I would be really interested to hear whether anybody else has done this and how they found it. Thanks!

This is probably what you need: Bear's Guide. I have been using his material for years.

Note that one of the commenters mentioned that John Bear was associated with diploma mills in the past. This is not true - he has been associated with nontraditional schools.

He also has a variety of books and services available on his website.

I was studying on distance from our local university when I was pregnant and also when Alexander was a baby, and all I can say is that if you decide to do it you need to be REALLY motivated and with a huge amount of discipline (which I, obviously, didn't have). You'd be amazed by how tempting it can be to wash dishes or clean windows or take a shower or do just about anything else but to pick up those books.

HI I did part of my classes for my education degree on line/distance ed.. I loved it!! I was not working at the time so I treated my time on the computer doing class work like I was in class. a few hours each day.. and more when I had to adjust my schedule or what ever.having a small child at home is a great reason for doing a class on line. Annika is right tho..you do have to be very disciplined to pick up those books and do it. but I loved it and it worked for me. I would try it. and just manage your time wisely.
Good luck!!
Ciao!
MamaMia

I did a C++ data structures class on line. I thought it was very hard because the teacher was not available to explain things I had trouble with- I'd send an email, he'd send an email, etc but it lacked the dynamic you have face to face, where he would see half way through his answer that you weren't gettin it, and change tack. I passed with a B but I got much less out of it than a classroom course with a good instructor.

Re a PhD, are you planning to be hired later after getting the degree? Have you heard of people with online PhDs getting hired? Just curious.

Thanks for all the input. I've actually already done an MA online so I can relate to the need for motivation! Yes, this site is also very distracting when you're meant to be studying! I already have a job but I'm hoping this will be a way of moving ahead in the future. I have only found a few universities who do online PhDs (lots do MAs) and that is why I asked whether anybody had any direct experience as it will be a big financial commitment to take on so I want to be sure before applying.

Who are you looking at to do it through? I started with the OU at degree level but only did my first year - babies really do get in the way don't they I had to pull out after a couple of months into my second year as my daughter was then only a few weeks old. Even now she is demanding my attention at nearly 3 years old so I haven't tried since. I really wanted to do an MA and then a PhD with them in Art History - maybe I still will as I know you can study with them while in Europe. Think I'll wait until Bambina is at school tho'.

Good Luck - I envy you !

Bill2 - the OU in the UK is, apparently, now quite widely recognised by employers and regularly features in the top of the UK university tables. HTH

Yes, I had a friend get his masters from Oklahoma University in Germany. He drove up one weekend per month, took two 12 hour classes, then drove home. Now he's in Minot, North Dakota.

Bill, I think Alyson is referring to the Open University. BTW, I knew someone teaching English in Minot, and he wasn't too unhappy.

Haven't heard of Open University. Do they have a football team?

Distance football...what would that be like? Could be interesting. Then again, maybe not.

Virtual maybe ! Open University was started in the '60's in the UK for people who had left school without having the chance to go to University. You didn't (and don't) need many or any qualifications although they will advise you to take courses below degree level before embarking on one of their degrees. It is the fastest growing University in the UK. It has offices but no campus, although it runs tutor groups all over the world where one of its courses is run, plus much of the work can now be done online. Take a look you may find it interesting. For most people it is the ability to do a degree while working and the relatively low cost that is the attraction, but it is also highly respected now. HTH

I wondered yesterday where Bottegal was, and here she is, but not able to talk electricity to us.
I know someone who taught on line for a while. She didn't get paid enough and doesn't know, but she really did give a lot of time to it. IM seemed to be the usual communication, and when she left it, she reckoned she'd earned about 50 pence an hour!

Where is Bottegal?

quote:

She didn't get paid enough and doesn't know, but she really did give a lot of time to it. IM seemed to be the usual communication, and when she left it, she reckoned she'd earned about 50 pence an hour!

Ouch! That's worse than adjunct pay! I had been thinking about teaching online as a way to stay in my field but maybe it's not worth it.

Who are you looking at to do it through?

Possibly an Australian university as they are the only ones I've found who don't require residency at all (and I think I would find it difficult to be an on-campus student even for a few months, much as I would like it!)

I think the OU require some attendance (in Milton Keynes?) for PhD level courses.

quote:

Originally posted by C in Bo:
I think the OU require some attendance (in Milton Keynes?) for PhD level courses.

Not sure, if you go to the site tho' www.open.ac.uk it is usually really comprehensive and will give all the info. Plus there are contacts on there for overseas study as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill 2:
Where is Bottegal?

I'm right here.

What's up?

I am thinking of doing another Masters (had the other from a French University) and this time with the Open University once we're settled in Italy. Kids and no Italian are barriers to attending classes physically...

It would be interesting if people who have done classes with the OU could testify and share their experiences.

quote:

Possibly an Australian university as they are the only ones I've found who don't require residency at all

You might want to check with the universities that you're looking at that you won't get hit by huge international student fees though. I'm currently doing my MA by distance through a New Zealand university where I already knew the lecturers which made it easy to establish supervisory relationships (which of course also have to be conducted by distance) - could this potentially be an issue for you with your research? Something to consider perhaps regardless of who you go through...

quote:

Originally posted by Lotus:
I am thinking of doing another Masters (had the other from a French University) and this time with the Open University once we're settled in Italy. Kids and no Italian are barriers to attending classes physically...

It would be interesting if people who have done classes with the OU could testify and share their experiences.

I found the OU a great experience and would recommend it. However, the courses cost twice as much here as they do in the UK and some of the choices are limited compared with a "normal" university, but you can't have everything! Don't know what the support is like outside the UK. The materials were always good and they are quite strong on-line now - they were allowing submission of assignments online as I finished. Anything more specific please ask!

Hi

I am in the process of finishing an MA with the Open University, I too have found this a positive experience and would recommend them. I had to take an exam in Milan in October and the process seemed to work well. There is a good online forum for my course and also I am able to submit my work online, so the distance is not a problem. As Alyson said the only problem is the cost.

Ceri

quote:

I am thinking of doing another Masters

Depending on what subject you want to study you might find that a "traditional" university offers it in distance-learning mode. I did mine this way and the cost was the same as if I was in the UK - I wonder why the OU charges more?

The cost of a 60 point course in the UK is £550.00. To take the same course here is £1200+.
When I enquired it is because you have to have a UK registered address and be paying UK taxes. They get subsidies for UK students. I am a bit knarked as I still pay UK taxes.

How do these fees compare to a distance learning course with a "traditional" University?
My daughter will start school in September and as my son will be in the UK I am looking to start studying again, but I don't want to get caught up in courses aimed at visitors.