Distance learning MA that doesn't cost a fortune?

[stilldazed]

Can anyone help? I would like to do an MA distance learning but not the OU as it costs a fortune. Anyone got any ideas or know of any new online universities that won't bankrupt me?

@stilldazed following as I've been looking into this too - couldn't believe how expensive OU was! I was looking for an English Literature type course but wasn't lucky in finding anything so far x

An MA in what? A lot of universities offer distance learning courses nowadays. I studied for my MA and PhD in distance learning modes but both at "normal" universities.

International Politics/Development that type of thing, did the normal universities work out cheaper than OU?

I haven't seen the OU's prices but I just finished my MSc online via a brick uni. It cost me just over £6000 but that included a 10% alumni discount as I was a continuing student.

SAAS (the Scottish student loans company) covered £5500 with a tuition fee loan and I paid the difference. Obviously I'll need to pay that back but the interest is low and I don't regret paying for my degree that way.

What sort of costs are you looking at? Don't assume that distance learning will be cheaper than on campus courses.

Look at European universities. Lots offer courses in English and are much much cheaper.

How much is it at the OU.

I’ve looked at distance learning MA/MSc for another discipline and the costs have all been very similar. About £9-£10k. I’d be wary of a UK university that offered something for much less.

Why do you want it?

If it is for personal fulfilment then why not just google til you find course literature and follow that for free?

If it is for the qualification then the value of an MA should be offset by what it leads to. So yes it is expensive - but that is because it will be worth a lot to you.

www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/fees-and-funding

I looked up the OUs fees and although yes they’re expensive, they seem fair and in-line with the HE sector.

I know people who have taken free distance learning courses from a Swedish university but that was for a professional qualification.

When I looked the OU was a bit cheaper than red brick universities (about £6.5k compared to £8-9k). Its expensive but you should be able to get a postgrad loan of £10k if you are in England.

Christ that info about Swedish Uni’s has blown my mind! 🤯

Do you work?

University of Borås’ website says that EU/EA/Nordic or Swiz citizens do not pay fees.