Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Academic common room

WWYD? Lost confidence in uni.

16 replies

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 07:55

I started an online PGDip in Psychology last year and completed one module. Then when I was about to start the next module last September, things really went tits up home-wise and it meant that I had to defer this module until now.

The thing is, I called the uni yesterday to enquire about when the module was due to start, thinking it must be soon, and I was informed that the course had started two weeks ago, and because of an admin error, they'd neglected to tell me! I have been attempting to log on every week during Jan and Feb to gain access just in case the course had started, so it's not as if I haven't been proactive about it.

SO, I'm in a position now that I need to catch up on two weeks' work. That in itself wouldn't be too much of an issue, but the tech and admin standard has been so poor during the course that I've lost confidence in them! The teaching standard looks to be okay, but as it's an online course (and expensive), the tech really does have to be up to scratch.

So (in the famous words of Mumsnet) WIBU to ditch the course and attempt to recoup the 1k I spent on the last module from them bearing in mind that they sold this course to me as the 'leading provider of this course online'? Would I even have a leg to stand on if I were to go along that route?

TIA

OP posts:

Report

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 08:11

Just to clarify, I would aim to get back the 1k from the first module (they have already promised me to 1k from the current module).

OP posts:

VegasIsBest · 13/02/2016 08:19

Ditch the course if you want but don't expect to get the £1k fees back. You've paid for one unit - which you've now completed - so why would they refund it? I also can't see why you don't just take up the course again.

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 08:32

Hi Vegas, I can see your point about the first 1k, but why do you think I should continue to consider the course?

OP posts:

VegasIsBest · 13/02/2016 08:36

Presumably you started the course because you were interested in the subject and wanted the qualification. So why don't you want to continue?

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 08:39

I suppose I'm coming from the perspective that I planned on coming out of this with a PGDip, and one module is no good to me from a qualification point of view. I see it that they haven't kept their side of the bargain?

OP posts:

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 08:41

I would love the qualification, but the lack of support and the poor interface means that it's really quite stressful completing the course online and is distracting from the actual course content.

OP posts:

Choughed · 13/02/2016 08:46

Did you complain about it at the time of your first module? You can't retrospectively claim back money if you didn't give them a chance to rectify it.

You could still make this module work, 2 weeks isn't a long time.

Choughed · 13/02/2016 08:46

Did you complain about it at the time of your first module? You can't retrospectively claim back money if you didn't give them a chance to rectify it.

You could still make this module work, 2 weeks isn't a long time.

Choughed · 13/02/2016 08:46

Sorry for duplicate post!

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 08:49

Yes I did complain :) I know two weeks isn't a long time - that isn't the issue for me. It's just the straw that broke the camel's back.

OP posts:

bb888 · 13/02/2016 08:52

You could probably get an extension of two weeks on the next bit of work to submit, given the circumstances.

Choughed · 13/02/2016 08:53

How did they handle your complaint? What's their complaints policy?

ColdMeatPlatter · 13/02/2016 08:54

Marlene I'm currently doing a PgDip online with a uni in Scotland. I'm on my 3rd module and I've have found the admin apalling. However I'm this far in I'm going to continue. I'm 2 weeks into the current module and so far all I've done is read about 4 papers, ordered a few text books and taken part in one non cumpolsory discussion. I'm sure it would be pretty easy to catch up at this stage. Could you ask for a reduced rate for this module?

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 08:57

I haven't submitted a formal complaint - I just had a bit of a moan at them over the telephone. Argh, I am in two minds. I can handle not getting the money back, but it's whether I continue and spend another 4k to complete the course knowing what I know now. Thank you all.

OP posts:

Choughed · 13/02/2016 09:48

Yeah, you can't ask for a refund if you've just had a bit of a moan to them. But you have paid a lot of money, you should take it up with them formally. Make an appointment to see the HoD or whoever the appropriate person is.

Do you know any of your cohort and did they also experience problems?

marlene4boycie · 13/02/2016 10:16

Yes thanks Choughed, you're right. I've found it tricky connecting with anyone on the cohort using the dashboard; that's another issue. ColdMeat - thanks for commenting - online learning really does take dedication I think! I'm lucky that I have a good Uni nearby and can use their library facilities, but it's all quite galling none-the-less! Thanks for comments - will take things up with them more formally, and if they can offer help with the issues then I'll keep going with it.

OP posts:

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.